How On-Site Acid Neutralization Provide Safe Chemical Disposal

 

Choosing the right acid neutralization system is crucial. With overall standards getting tighter, it is important to have a system that can automatically add the required neutralizing chemicals to acid waste left over once the semiconductor process step is done.

Such a system should use the least amount of chemicals while ensuring adequate neutralization of waste to comply with the environmental standards. It has to have enough capacity to handle the waste chemical flow. It must also operate reliably, protecting against spills and documenting chemical use and discharge.

Automated acid neutralization systems can operate in either two ways:

·         Continuous flow – this is ideal for large-scale operations. Because the nature of the waste chemicals is known and remains consistent over time, the neutralization process can add fixed amounts of low-pH chemicals to continuously neutralize the waste flow.  Neutralization can be fine-tuned because the overall process doesn’t change.

·         Batch – this is better suited for the production of small quantities of semiconductor products. Typical applications are prototype production, production of small quantities for testing or the manufacture of special components. In this system, the waste chemicals have to be neutralized in small batches. Each process is different. This type of system has to measure the pH of the waste chemicals and determine what low-pH additions are appropriate. The neutralization is different for each batch as is each outflow.

Complete automation of a continuous flow comparatively easy because the process parameters are known and don’t change. The automation only has to add the required amount of neutralizing chemical on a continuous basis and record the resulting pH.

However, doing a complete automation of batch neutralization systems, however, can be challenging. The key variables, the process, and the chemicals involved can vary depending on the batch. First, it has to measure the batch pH and add an amount of low-pH neutralizer. Depending on the chemicals involved, the automated system may have to add different neutralizing chemicals in several stages to achieve the required output. Compared to a fully automated continuous flow system, a fully automated batch neutralization system is complicated to program and difficult to set up. Operator involvement to select the type of neutralization required can simplify the process of the automated system, making it more effective.

Automated acid neutralization systems can help reduce chemical use, reduce spills, and ensure regulatory compliance. The system automatically adds the required chemicals to the waste solution, tracks chemical use, measures outflow pH, and records the results. As a result, workplace safety is increased, and human error is reduced. The records of chemical use and outflow pH can show that the environmental standards are met.

Modutek offers a full line of chemical handling equipment, along with acid neutralization systems. Read their complete article, “How On-Site Acid Neutralization Systems Provide Safe Chemical Disposal”. If you have questions, or would like to set up a free consultation, send an email to Sales@modutek.com or call 866-803-1533.

Using Acid Fume Scrubbers to Maintain a Clean Work Environment

When semiconductor manufacturing process steps involve etching or cleaning with acids, the process station produces fumes, which can be harmful. Acid droplets in the exhaust can cause health risks for workers and corrode equipment.

To address these issues, semiconductor manufacturers need acid fume scrubbers to remove and neutralize acid droplets in the process exhaust. Once the acidic mist passes through the scrubbers, the resulting air is clean enough to be discharged into the workplace or outside. It results in a cleaner and safer work environment for workers.

Acid fume scrubbers work by passing the mist over a wet bed made up of special, large surface packing material. The scrubber has to be able to handle the flow volume from the process exhaust.

Acid fume scrubbers from Modutek use a high surface area packing material made by industry leader Lantec. The packing material is kept wet with a solution that contains acid neutralizing chemicals. As the acid mist passes over the surface of the wet packing material, the acid droplets dissolve in the neutralizing chemicals, removing them almost completely. The discharge air will now be mostly free of acid mist, resulting in a clean and non-corrosive air output.

Modutek’s acid fume scrubbers can remove up to 99% of acid mist. They are available in sizes ranging from 500 to 25,000 CFM. This capacity range will satisfy the flow requirements from the smallest to the largest process volumes.

Benefits and advantages of using Moduteks’s acid fume scrubbers:

• The high acid mist removal improves workplace air quality.
• The user-friendliness of the scrubbers means operators do not need extensive training and can reliably achieve operational targets.
• Low cost of operation and maintenance allows for a quick return on investment.
• The design flexibility and wide range of capacities ensure that there is a system suitable for most applications.

In addition to wet process station applications, acid fume scrubbers can be used with other chemical handling equipment Modutek offers to provide a clean and safe working environment.

Modutek has additional information in their recent article, “Using Acid Fume Scrubbers to Maintain a Clean Work Environment.” If you have questions after reading the complete article, or would like to set up a free consultation, contact Modutek via email at Sales@modutek.com or by calling 866-803-1533.