Selecting the Right Acid Neutralization System for Your Application

An acid neutralization system treats the discharge from the semiconductor wet process fabrication facilities, as well as other industrial processes, to make the liquids environmentally safe for disposal.

The right system for an application will add alkaline chemicals to the acidic solution and increase the pH close to the neutral reading of 7, while recording process data to ensure regulatory compliance. If the acid is untreated, releasing it would be environmentally hazardous and pollute waterways. Governments have imposed regulations on the procedures required to dispose of industrial waste.

 An acid neutralization system treats and measures the acidity of wastewater as it exits the production line. Depending on the process, a suitable neutralizing chemical is added to reduce the acidity. The sensors verify that the pH level of the wastewater has been reduced due to neutralization. That pH level should be in compliance with the applicable government regulations before the liquid can be released.

 Depending on the type of operation, an acid neutralization system can be selected in either continuous flow or in batches:

 1) Continuous flow neutralization
 This applies to the continuous flow acid neutralization systems which have a continuous addition of neutralizing chemicals. There is only a slight variation that is easily controlled and monitored. The flow can be from a few gallons to several hundred gallons per minute. Discharges and their characteristics are recorded on a digital chart recorder.

 2) Batch neutralization
 In this type of neutralization system, the batches of waste chemicals often need extensive treatment and may require different neutralizing chemicals to meet the allowed discharge pH levels. The system takes the pH level reading and then adds the necessary chemicals to verify the correct pH level has been reached.

 Modutek’s acid neutralization systems are fully automated and are available in batch neutralization or continuous flow designs. The compact design allows these systems to fit into available space and can be customized for specific applications.

For more details read the complete article, “Selecting the Right Acid Neutralization System for Your Application”. Contact Modutek at 866–803–1522 or email Modutek@modutek.com to schedule a free consultation to discuss your specific requirements or get a free quote.

5 Important Things to Know When Buying Wet Bench Stations

Because of the complicated nature of semiconductor manufacturing, wet benches need to be customized to meet specific requirements for a specific application.

Before focusing on the process-specific requirements, there are general questions that should be answered. They include the level of automation, whether stainless steel solvent stations are required, whether a chemical delivery system is needed and whether any special options for rinsing and drying would be beneficial. Following this structured approach helps with selecting the best wet process station configuration and with integrating special equipment within the wet bench station.

1) Automated Wet Bench Stations
Modutek's line of wet bench stations can be manual, semi-automatic or fully automated. You get the most benefits from using fully automated stations since they can run batches without operator intervention and provide excellent repeatability if the same product is manufactured multiple times. The use of Modutek's proprietary software will help increase throughput and yield.

2) Stainless Steel Solvent Stations
Modutek's stainless steel solvent stations are available in the manual, semi-automatic and fully automated stations as well as in dry-to-dry configurations. Solvent stations are designed to satisfy fire safety standards that are needed in solvent applications.

3) Chemical Delivery System
Modutek's chemical delivery systems help avoid spills and make tracking of chemical neutralization and disposal easier. The company can also customize the system's design to exactly meet the needs of a customer’s application.

4) Rinsing and Drying
When an etching or cleaning process step is complete, the wafers must be rinsed and dried without leaving any contaminants. Modutek's IPA dryer combines rinsing and drying in one station while the quick dump rinser improves the process efficiently.

5) Special Etching or Cleaning Equipment
Some semiconductor fabrication and research facilities may require specialized wet bench equipment for specific etching or cleaning process steps. For this reason, Modutek can incorporate specialized equipment such as the Vacuum Metal Etcher which is designed to etch aluminum layers with high precision and remove hydrogen bubbles when they are created.

For more details read the complete article “5 Important Things to Know When Buying Wet Bench Stations”. Contact Modutek by email at Modutek@modutek.com or call 866-803-1533 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your needs or get a free quote.