Abstract: Methods and delivery systems for providing a gas phase of a multi-component liquid source for delivery to a critical process application are provided. The methods include concentration of a component of the liquid source which is less volatile than water for delivery of a gas stream comprising the less volatile component to a critical process application. Critical process applications include decontamination and microelectronic processing applications.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, and devices for the vapor phase delivery of high purity process gases to a critical process or application.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, devices, and systems for purifying a source liquid from a replenishment stock solution that includes stabilizing agents, such as metal ions, prior to vaporization. Certain embodiments effect the purification with a solid perfluoronated ionomer, such as a perfluoronated ionomer membrane. Advantageously, source liquids purified in this manner provide feed stocks for production of ultra-pure gaseous reagents. As well, performance characteristics of membrane-based vaporizers relying on transport processes are improved.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for decontaminating materials containing biological or biologically derived materials, such as microorganisms or DNA products, are provided. The methods, systems, and devices may be used for decontaminating or sterilizing materials, such as surfaces, including, but not limited to reducing the number of viable microorganisms on surfaces. The methods, systems, and devices may further be used for rendering DNA non-amplifiable in nucleic acid amplification reactions that synthesize DNA amplification products.

Abstract: Provided herein is a device for removing residual hydrogen peroxide or hydrazine from an effluent gas stream which includes a metal oxide scrubber material configured to react with residual process gases under increased temperatures. Also provided are systems and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A method and chemical delivery system and device are provided. One method useful in the present invention includes contacting a non-aqueous hydrazine solution with a carrier gas and/or vacuum and delivering a gas stream comprising hydrazine to a critical process or application. One chemical delivery system and device useful in the present invention includes a non-aqueous hydrazine solution having a vapor phase that is in contact with a process carrier gas and/or vacuum. One device useful in the present invention includes a chamber for containing a liquid comprising at least one volatile process chemical, such as a non-aqueous hydrazine solution, a hydrogen peroxide solution, or another suitable process chemical, in fluid communication with a permeable or semi-permeable membrane from which the volatile process chemical can be drawn using a carrier gas and/or vacuum.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, and devices for the vapor phase delivery of high purity process gases to a critical process or application.

Abstract: Methods and delivery systems for providing a gas phase of a multi-component liquid source for delivery to a critical process application are provided. The methods include concentration of a component of the liquid source which is less volatile than water for delivery of a gas stream comprising the less volatile component to a critical process application. Critical process applications include decontamination and microelectronic processing applications.

Abstract: A method and chemical delivery system are provided. The method includes providing a non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution having a vapor phase separated from the substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution by a membrane. The method further includes contacting a carrier gas or vacuum with the vapor phase and delivering a gas stream comprising hydrogen peroxide to a critical process or application. The chemical delivery system includes a non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution having a vapor phase separated from the substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution by a membrane. The system further includes a carrier gas or vacuum in fluid contact with the vapor phase and an apparatus for delivering a gas stream comprising at least one component of the hydrogen peroxide solution to a critical process or application.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for decontaminating materials containing biological or biologically derived materials, such as microorganisms or DNA products, are provided. The methods, systems, and devices may be used for decontaminating or sterilizing materials, such as surfaces, including, but not limited to reducing the number of viable microorganisms on surfaces. The methods, systems, and devices may further be used for rendering DNA non-amplifiable in nucleic acid amplification reactions that synthesize DNA amplification products.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for decontaminating materials containing biological or biologically derived materials, such as microorganisms or DNA products, are provided. The methods, systems, and devices may be used for decontaminating or sterilizing materials, such as surfaces, including, but not limited to reducing the number of viable microorganisms on surfaces. The methods, systems, and devices may further be used for rendering DNA non-amplifiable in nucleic acid amplification reactions that synthesize DNA amplification products.

Abstract: A method and chemical delivery system are provided. The method includes providing a concentrated aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution in a boiler having a head space, boiling the concentrated aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution to produce a dilute vapor comprising hydrogen peroxide within the head space of the boiler, and adding a dilute aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution to the concentrated aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution within the boiler to maintain the concentration of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution in the boiler. The method further includes delivering the dilute vapor comprising hydrogen peroxide to a critical process or application.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for decontaminating materials containing biological or biologically derived materials, such as microorganisms or DNA products, are provided. The methods, systems, and devices may be used for decontaminating or sterilizing materials, such as surfaces, including, but not limited to reducing the number of viable microorganisms on surfaces. The methods, systems, and devices may further be used for rendering DNA non-amplifiable in nucleic acid amplification reactions that synthesize DNA amplification products.

Abstract: A method and chemical delivery system are provided. The method includes providing a non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution having a vapor phase separated from the substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution by a membrane. The method further includes contacting a carrier gas or vacuum with the vapor phase and delivering a gas stream comprising hydrogen peroxide to a critical process or application. The chemical delivery system includes a non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution having a vapor phase separated from the substantially non-aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution by a membrane. The system further includes a carrier gas or vacuum in fluid contact with the vapor phase and an apparatus for delivering a gas stream comprising at least one component of the hydrogen peroxide solution to a critical process or application.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a flow of steam in a steam generator having a heater for heating fluid in a vessel is disclosed. The method includes: delivering the steam from the steam generator to a first side of a filtering membrane; receiving purified steam from a second side of the filtering membrane, the purified steam having a steam flow rate; determining at least one coefficient of a substantially linear mathematical relationship between the steam flow rate of the purified steam and duty cycle; and configuring the steam generator to control: the duty cycle of the heater based on the determined at least one coefficient and a target steam flow rate; and/or the target steam flow rate based on the at least one coefficient and a target duty cycle of the heater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the monitoring of contaminant concentrations in manufacturing processes that employ fluid purification devices. The invention provides a sensitive method for analyzing contaminant concentrations in a process fluid stream using purification material to adsorb contaminants contained therein over an entire process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning an article in semiconductor manufacturing are provided. The method includes subjecting a first chamber containing the article to a vapor source while controlling a temperature of the article and a temperature of the vapor source such that vapor from the vapor source condenses on a surface of the article to form a liquid film. The method further includes evaporating the liquid film, whereby the evaporating liquid transports contaminants from the surface of the article. Evaporating includes exposing the first chamber to condensing surfaces having a temperature lower than a temperature of the article, whereby the evaporated liquid condenses on the condensing surfaces. The apparatus includes a first chamber for housing the article, a vapor source connected to the first chamber, a temperature controller, and a second chamber connected with the first chamber to collect the vapor evaporated from the article.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a flow of steam in a steam generator having a heater for heating fluid in a vessel is disclosed. The method includes: delivering the steam from the steam generator to a first side of a filtering membrane; receiving purified steam from a second side of the filtering membrane, the purified steam having a steam flow rate; determining at least one coefficient of a substantially linear mathematical relationship between the steam flow rate of the purified steam and duty cycle; and configuring the steam generator to control: the duty cycle of the heater based on the determined at least one coefficient and a target steam flow rate; and/or the target steam flow rate based on the at least one coefficient and a target duty cycle of the heater.

Abstract: Methods for the purification of steam, systems for purifying steam, methods for measuring and/or controlling steam flow rates, and uses for purified steam are provide. Also provided are substantially gas-impermeable membranes, such as perfluorinated ionomers (e.g., perfluoroethylene-sulfonic-acid/tetrafluoroethylene membranes), having a high ratio of water vapor permeation relative to gas permeation through the membrane. Also provided are methods of operation of such membranes at relatively high operating temperatures for the purification of steam and for operation of such membranes at relatively low temperature and sub-atmospheric pressures for the purification of steam. In a preferred embodiment, the system 400 for purifying steam comprises heater 404 for creating a source of a steam feed, and a purification device 416 for housing a substantially gas-impermeable membrane 424. In the operation of system 400, water, such as deionized water, is added to vessel 402 to provide a source of the steam feed.

Abstract: Methods for the purification of steam, systems for purifying steam, methods for measuring and/or controlling steam flow rates, and uses for purified steam are provide. Also provided are substantially gas-impermeable membranes, such as perfluorinated ionomers (e.g., perfluoroethylene-sulfonic-acid/tetrafluoroethylene membranes), having a high ratio of water vapor permeation relative to gas permeation through the membrane. Also provided are methods of operation of such membranes at relatively high operating temperatures for the purification of steam and for operation of such membranes at relatively low temperature and sub-atmospheric pressures for the purification of steam. In a preferred embodiment, the system 400 for purifying steam comprises heater 404 for creating a source of a steam feed, and a purification device 416 for housing a substantially gas-impermeable membrane 424. In the operation of system 400, water, such as deionized water, is added to vessel 402 to provide a source of the steam feed.