Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for reducing build-up of material on inner surface of tube downstream from a reaction furnace

US5827370A · kind A · utility

79Cited by
3References
76Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 13, 1997
Grant dateOct 27, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 13, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC23C16/4412
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An apparatus for preventing the deposition and build-up of chains of polymerized TEOS molecules in the pipes downstream from a reaction furnace in a semiconductor manufacturing process includes an annular nozzle assembly positioned inside the pipes such that a plenum is formed between the annular nozzle assembly and the pipes and such that the annular nozzle forms a hollow tubular conduit for conducting effluent from the reaction furnace. The annular nozzle assembly preferably includes three hollow and generally cylindrical sections, an upstream collar, a downstream spacer ring, and a middle section(s) positioned between the upstream collar and the downstream spacer ring. The annular nozzle assembly is placed within the pipes downstream of the reaction furnace during operation and is modularly constructed so that the length of the annular nozzle assembly can be varied, depending on the length of the downstream pipes from the reaction furnace. The annular nozzle assembly forms a gas boundary layer or moving virtual wall on its inner surfaces that prevents TEOS gas molecules and water vapor molecules from absorbing or residing on the inner surfaces of the annular nozzle assembly, thu…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.