Temperature control device for chemical liquid used in semiconductor manufacturing process

Abstract

A temperature control device for a chemical liquid used in a semiconductor manufacturing process. The device includes: a first heat sink having a cooling water flow path formed therein; a plurality of thermoelectric modules coming into contact with both side surfaces of the first heat sink, respectively; and a second heat sink coming into contact with the thermoelectric modules. The second heat sink includes first and second heat sink blocks, a chemical liquid inlet tube and a chemical liquid outlet tube connected to the first and second heat sink blocks, and a plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes inserted into the insides of the first and second heat sink blocks in such a manner as to communicate with one another and with the chemical liquid inlet tube and the chemical liquid outlet tube, respectively, to flow the chemical liquid therealong.

Claims

1. A temperature control device for a chemical liquid used in a semiconductor manufacturing process, which is located on a chemical liquid circulating and supplying tube to control a temperature of the chemical liquid, the device comprising: a first heat sink having a cooling water flow path formed therein; a plurality of thermoelectric modules coming into contact with both side surfaces of the first heat sink, respectively; and a second heat sink having first and second heat sink blocks located on one side and the other side of the first heat sink in such a manner as to come into contact with the thermoelectric modules, while placing the first heat sink therebetween, a chemical liquid inlet tube and a chemical liquid outlet tube connected to the first heat sink block and the second heat sink block to allow the chemical liquid to be introduced thereinto and discharged therefrom, and a plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes inserted into the insides of the first heat sink block and the second heat sink block in such a manner as to communicate with one another and with the chemical liquid inlet tube and the chemical liquid outlet tube, respectively, to flow the chemical liquid therealong, wherein the plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes comprise: a plurality of first rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes located at adjacent positions to the first heat sink; and a plurality of n (n is 2, 3, or 4) rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes spaced apart from the first heat sink by a relatively longer distance than the plurality of first rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes in such a manner as to have different separation distances from each other, wherein the second heat sink further comprises turbulent flow generating blocks inserted into the end peripheries of the plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes to generate turbulent flows in the chemical liquid of the plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes, wherein the plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes have the shape of a straight tube, and each turbulent flow generating block comprises: a turbulent flow generating block body; a plurality of turbulent flow inducing paths passing through the turbulent flow generating block body in longitudinal directions in such a manner as to allow the chemical liquid to flow toward the inner peripheral surface of the chemical liquid flow path tube to thus induce the turbulent flows caused by the collision with the inner peripheral surface of the chemical liquid flow path tube, and spiral guide vanes formed along the inner peripheral surfaces of the plurality of turbulent flow inducing paths in such a manner as to generate spiral vortexes, while the chemical liquid is passing through the turbulent flow generating block body.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second heat sink further comprises: first and second manifold blocks located on one side of the first and second heat sink blocks, having internal flowing spaces therein to accommodate the chemical liquid supplied to or discharged from the chemical liquid flow path tubes thereinto, and communicating with the chemical liquid inlet tube and the chemical liquid outlet tube; and a third manifold block located on the other side of the first and second heat sink blocks, having an internal flowing space therein, and allowing the plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes arranged on the first and second heat sink blocks to communicate with one another.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second heat sink blocks comprises first to n+1 heat sink block pieces separably coupled to each other in such a manner as to fix the first and n rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes thereto, while having insertion grooves corresponding to sectional shapes of the first and n rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes are made of perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), the first and second heat sink blocks are made of an aluminum alloy, and the first to third manifold blocks are made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein each chemical liquid flow path tube has protruding portions and concave portions repeatedly formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof along a circumferential direction thereof in such a manner as to be extended along a longitudinal direction thereof.

6. The air purifier mask device according to claim 5, wherein each chemical liquid flow path tube has a plurality of partitioning bars extendedly formed at the inside thereof along a longitudinal direction thereof in such a manner as to partition the flow path into a plurality of areas.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIGS. 1 to 2B are views showing temperature control devices for a chemical liquid used in a semiconductor manufacturing process in conventional practices.

(2) FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a temperature control device for a chemical liquid used in a semiconductor manufacturing process according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 4 is a front sectional view showing the temperature control device of FIG. 3.

(4) FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing the temperature control device of FIG. 3.

(5) FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing laminar flows in a straight tube.

(6) FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a state where a turbulent flow generating block is inserted into an end periphery of a chemical liquid flow path tube in the temperature control device according to the present invention.

(7) FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective and front views showing an example of the turbulent flow generating block of FIG. 7.

(8) FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a state where the turbulent flow generating blocks are inserted into the temperature control device according to the present invention.

(9) FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective and front views showing another example of the turbulent flow generating block of the temperature control device according to the present invention.

(10) FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective and front views showing still another example of the turbulent flow generating block of the temperature control device according to the present invention.

(11) FIGS. 12A to 12C are top views showing the chemical liquid flow path tube with various shapes in the temperature control device according to the present invention.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

(12) Hereinafter, the present invention will be in detail described with reference to the attached drawings. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. In the drawings, it should be noted that the corresponding parts in the embodiments of the present invention are indicated by corresponding reference numerals.

(13) A temperature control device for a chemical liquid used in a semiconductor manufacturing process according to the present invention is located on a section where the chemical liquid flows in various processes of manufacturing a semiconductor, like wet etching, cleaning, and so on, to hold the chemical liquid at a given temperature constantly when the chemical liquid is heated or cooled, and to do this, the temperature control device is configured to improve heat transfer efficiency to the chemical liquid flowing along an interior of a tube, thereby ensuring excellent temperature control for the chemical liquid.

(14) Hereinafter, an explanation on a temperature control device for a chemical liquid used in a semiconductor manufacturing process according to the present invention will be in detail given with reference to the attached drawings.

(15) As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a temperature control device for a chemical liquid used in a semiconductor manufacturing process according to the present invention is located on a chemical liquid circulating and supplying tube 370 to control a temperature of the chemical liquid and includes a first heat sink 100, thermoelectric modules 200, and a second heat sink 300.

(16) The first heat sink 100 has the shape of a general rectangular tube and is provided with a cooling water flow path 110 formed therein to flow processing cooling water (PCW) or other cooling water therealong. If a high temperature is generated on one side surface of the thermoelectric modules 200 coming into contact with the first heat sink 100 through the operations of the thermoelectric modules 200, in this case, the cooling water serves to rapidly cool a portion (heat radiation side surface) where the high temperature is generated and thus to constantly maintain a temperature on the heat radiation side surface, so that cooling/heating efficiency of the thermoelectric modules 200 can be prevented from being lowered to thus improve the durability of the thermoelectric modules 200. So as to allow low temperature heat of the processing cooling water to be efficiently transferred to one side surface of the thermoelectric modules 200 from which high temperature is emitted, like this, the first heat sink 100 and the second heat sink 300 (including first and second heat sink blocks 340 and 350 as will be discussed later) are made of aluminum alloys with high thermal conductivity.

(17) The thermoelectric modules 200 are located to come into contact with both side surfaces of the first heat sink 100 and serve to heat or cool the chemical liquid through control of heat generated therefrom. In detail, a high or low temperature is generated on contacted surfaces of the thermoelectric modules 200 with the second heat sink 300 as will be discussed later, thereby controlling a temperature of the chemical liquid. The thermoelectric modules 200 are arranged uniformly on both side surfaces of the first heat sink 100, respectively.

(18) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second heat sink 300 comes into contact with the thermoelectric modules 200, while placing the first heat sink 100 between the thermoelectric modules 200, and has a plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 along which the chemical liquid flows.

(19) On the other hand, the heat generated from the thermoelectric modules 200 is transferred to the second heat sink 300, the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310, and the chemical liquid in the order mentioned, thereby causing the change in the temperature of the chemical liquid. According to the present invention, the second heat sink 300 does not have any single flow path, but has a plurality of flow paths (chemical liquid flow path tubes 310) with a given diameter, so that the efficiency in the heat transfer from the second heat sink 300 to the chemical liquid can be improved, thereby easily and conveniently performing the temperature control for the chemical liquid. If the single chemical liquid flow path is formed in the second heat sink like the conventional practice, in detail, the heat transfer efficiency may be gradually decreased toward the inner side of the single chemical liquid flow path with respect to the sectional area thereof in a flowing direction. According to the present invention, however, the plurality of chemical liquid flow paths, not the single chemical liquid flow path are formed in the second heat sink 300, and also, the sectional areas of the plurality of chemical liquid flow paths have given sizes, so that the heat of the second heat sink 300 can be transferred to the chemical liquid most efficiently.

(20) According to the present invention, the second heat sink 300 includes a chemical liquid inlet tube 320, a chemical liquid outlet tube 330, the first and second heat sink blocks 340 and 350, and first to third manifold blocks 361, 362, and 363.

(21) The chemical liquid inlet tube 320 is connected to the chemical liquid circulating and supplying tube 370 to thus form a flow path along which the chemical liquid flows to the plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes 310. The chemical liquid outlet tube 330 is connected to the chemical liquid circulating and supplying tube 370 to thus form a flow path along which the chemical liquid discharged from the plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 flows to the chemical liquid circulating and supplying tube 370.

(22) The first heat sink block 340 and the second heat sink block 350 are located on one side and the other side of the first heat sink 100 and have the plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 located at the insides thereof in such a manner as to communicate with the chemical liquid inlet tube 320 and the chemical liquid outlet tube 33.

(23) According to the present invention, the second heat sink 300 is separable into the first heat sink block 340 and the second heat sink block 350, so that while the chemical liquid is flowing around the first heat sink 100, the chemical liquid continuously receives the heat from the first heat sink block 340 and the second heat sink block 350, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency thereof.

(24) As mentioned above, after the heat generated from the thermoelectric modules 200 is transferred to the first heat sink block 340 and the second heat sink block 350, it is transferred to the chemical liquid through the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310, and so as to increase the heat transfer efficiency between the first heat sink block 340 and the second heat sink block 350 and the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310, in this case, the outer peripheral surfaces of the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 desirably come into close contact with the first heat sink block 340 and the second heat sink block 350.

(25) Of course, after a plurality of through holes are formed on the first heat sink block 340 and the second heat sink block 350, the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 are press-fitted to the through holes, but in the fitting process, the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 may be undesirably broken.

(26) Hereinafter, an explanation of the plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes 310, the first heat sink block 340, and the second heat sink block 350 will be in more detail given.

(27) According to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plurality of chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 include a plurality of first rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes 316 located at adjacent positions to the first heat sink 100 and a plurality of n rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes 317 spaced apart from the first heat sink 100 by a relatively longer distance than the plurality of first rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes 316.

(28) In specific, the plurality of rows of the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 are arranged in transverse directions (X-axis directions) and longitudinal directions (Y-axis directions) with respect to the first heat sink block 340 and the second heat sink block 350. Under the above-mentioned configuration, the heat generated from the thermoelectric modules 200 is transferred to the chemical liquid in the plurality of rows of the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310, thereby increasing the heat transfer area.

(29) In the case of the plurality of n rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes 317, for example, n is 2, 3, or 4, and accordingly, the plurality of n rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes 317 may include a plurality of second, third, and fourth rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes 317. That is, total four rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes are formed in the longitudinal directions. The plurality of second, third, and fourth rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes 317 are spaced apart from the first heat sink 100 at different separation distances from each other. On the other hand, in the drawings, an example in which n is 2 is adopted, so that total two rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes are arranged in the longitudinal directions. Hereinafter, the example in which n is 2 will be suggested and explained for the convenience of the description. Only if the heat generated from the thermoelectric modules 200 is sufficiently transferred to the chemical liquid flow path tubes, however, n is not limited to 2, 3, or 4, and of course, n may be greater than the value mentioned above.

(30) As shown in FIG. 4, the first heat sink block 340 and the second heat sink block 350 have first to n+1 heat sink block pieces 345, 346, and 347 separably coupled to each other in such a manner as to fix the first and n (n=2) rows of chemical liquid flow path tubes 316 and 317 thereto.

(31) According to the present invention, for example, the respective heat sink block pieces have semicircular insertion grooves 341, and after the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 are seated onto the insertion grooves 341 of any one heat sink block piece, the neighboring heat sink block piece is coupled to one block piece by means of bonding or screw-fastening. As shown, if the heat sink block pieces are three, they can be simultaneously coupled or separated through screws.

(32) The first and second manifold blocks 361 and 362 are located on one side of the first and second heat sink blocks 340 and 350 in such a manner as to have internal flowing space therein and also accommodate the chemical liquid supplied to or discharged from the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 thereinto in such a manner as to communicate with the chemical liquid inlet tube 320 and the chemical liquid outlet tube 330.

(33) In detail, an end periphery of the chemical liquid inlet tube 320 is sealedly inserted into one side of the first manifold block 361, and the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 are sealedly inserted into the other side of the first manifold block 361. Accordingly, the chemical liquid, which is introduced into the first manifold block 361 through the chemical liquid inlet tube 320, distributedly flows to the interiors of the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310. In more detail, the chemical liquid with a given flowing pressure flows to the interior of the first manifold block 361 through the chemical liquid circulating and supplying tube 370 and the chemical liquid inlet tube 320, so that the internal space of the first manifold block 361 is filled with the chemical liquid to allow the chemical liquid to distributedly flow to the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 as uniform as possible by means of the negative pressure in the first manifold block 361.

(34) Further, an end periphery of the chemical liquid outlet tube 330 is sealedly inserted into one side of the second manifold block 362, and the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 are sealedly inserted into the other side of the second manifold block 362. Accordingly, the chemical liquid, which is introduced into the second manifold block 362 through the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 after flowing to the interiors of the first and second heat sink blocks 340 and 350, is discharged through the chemical liquid outlet tube 330.

(35) As shown in FIG. 5, the third manifold block 363 has an internal flowing space therein and is located on the other side of the first and second heat sink blocks 340 and 350 in such a manner as to allow the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 arranged on the first and second heat sink blocks 340 and 350 to communicate with one another.

(36) In detail, the end peripheries of the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 arranged on the first and second heat sink blocks 340 and 350 are sealedly inserted into one side of the third manifold block 363. Accordingly, the chemical liquid, which is introduced through the chemical liquid inlet tube 320, flows to the first manifold block 361, the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 of the first heat sink block 340, the third manifold block 363, the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 of the second heat sink block 350, and the second manifold block 362 and is then discharged through the chemical liquid outlet tube 330. While the chemical liquid is being circulatedly moved, like this, it receives the heat generated from the thermoelectric modules 200 and is thus heated or cooled, so that it is changed in temperature and is then supplied to a next processing line.

(37) According to the present invention, the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 may be made of perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), and the first to third manifold blocks 361, 362, and 363 are made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

(38) As mentioned above, the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 and the first to third manifold blocks 361, 362, and 363 actually come into direct contact with the chemical liquid, and accordingly, they are made of PFA and PTFE having good chemical resistances, thereby to the maximum preventing impurities from being produced due to chemical reactions occurring through the direct contacts with the chemical liquid.

(39) So as to prevent the production of fine impurities, like this, the components coming into direct contact with the chemical liquid are made of PFA and PTFE, but since the PFA and PTFE have relatively low thermal conductivity, the heat transfer efficiency may be deteriorated.

(40) As described above, however, the second heat sink 300 does not have any single flow path, but has the plurality of the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 with the given diameter, so that the efficiency in the heat transfer from the second heat sink 300 to the chemical liquid can be improved, thereby overcoming the disadvantages the PFA and PTFE have had.

(41) In addition to the structure where the heat transfer efficiency is increased, another structure in which the heat transfer efficiency in the chemical liquid flowing to the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 of the second heat sink 300 can be raised is suggested.

(42) In detail, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 11B, the second heat sink 300 further includes turbulent flow generating blocks 380, 390, or 400 inserted into the end peripheries of the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 to generate turbulent flows in the chemical liquid of the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310.

(43) According to the present invention, the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 are straight tubes that provide straight line flow paths, and as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, generally, a flow of a fluid in the interior of the straight tube is laminar. In this case, the heat transfer efficiency in the chemical liquid flowing to the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 of the second heat sink 300 is more lowered than that in the turbulent flows.

(44) According to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, the turbulent flows in the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 are induced through the turbulent flow generating blocks 380, so that the heat generated from the second heat sink 300 can be uniformly transferred to the chemical liquid in the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310, thereby more increasing the heat exchange efficiency of the chemical liquid.

(45) For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, each turbulent flow generating block 380 includes a turbulent flow generating block body 381 and a plurality of turbulent flow inducing paths 382 formed on the turbulent flow generating block body 381 in such a manner as to be inclined with respect to a longitudinal center axis of each chemical liquid flow path tube 310 to allow the chemical liquid to flow toward the inner peripheral surface of the chemical liquid flow path tube 310 to thus induce the turbulent flows caused by the collision with the inner peripheral surfaces of the chemical liquid flow path tube 310.

(46) For another example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, each turbulent flow generating block 390 includes a turbulent flow generating block body 391 and a plurality of turbulent flow inducing paths 392 formed on the turbulent flow generating block body 391 in such a manner as to be gradually increased in a sectional area thereof toward the inner side of each chemical liquid flow path tube 310 to allow the chemical liquid to flow toward the inner peripheral surface of the chemical liquid flow path tube 310 to thus induce the turbulent flows caused by the collision with the inner peripheral surfaces of the chemical liquid flow path tube 310.

(47) For still another example, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, each turbulent flow generating block 400 includes a turbulent flow generating block body 401, a plurality of turbulent flow inducing paths 402 passing through the turbulent flow generating block body 401 in longitudinal directions in such a manner as to allow the chemical liquid to flow toward the inner peripheral surface of the chemical liquid flow path tube 310 to thus induce the turbulent flows caused by the collision with the inner peripheral surface of the chemical liquid flow path tube 310, and spiral guide vanes 403 formed along the inner peripheral surfaces of the plurality of turbulent flow inducing paths 402 in such a manner as to generate spiral vortexes, while the chemical liquid is passing through the turbulent flow generating block body 401.

(48) In case of all of the turbulent flow generating blocks 380, the turbulent flow generating blocks 390, and the turbulent flow generating blocks 400, the turbulent flow inducing paths 382, 392, and 402 are formed penetratedly into the turbulent flow generating block bodies 381, the turbulent flow generating block bodies 391, and the turbulent flow generating block bodies 401.

(49) In addition thereto, the turbulent flow inducing paths may be configured to have free structures wherein the turbulent flows can be generated. Even if not shown, the turbulent flow inducing paths may be formed curvedly at least one time, and in the same manner as above, in this case, the chemical liquid flows to the inner peripheries of the turbulent flow inducing paths toward the inner peripheral surface of the chemical liquid flow path tube 310.

(50) Further, even though not specifically shown in the drawings, the spiral guide vanes 403 may be formed along the inner peripheral surfaces of the turbulent flow generating blocks as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 10A and 10B, and in this case, the turbulent flow generating effectiveness can be maximized to thus improve heat exchange efficiency.

(51) In this case, the turbulent flow generating blocks 380, 390, or 400 are press-fitted to the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310, and they are located on a chemical liquid inlet side toward the interior of the first heat sink block 340 and on a chemical liquid inlet side toward the interior of the second heat sink block 350. Also, the turbulent flow generating blocks 380, 390 or 400 come into direct contact with the chemical liquid, and in the same manner as above, accordingly, they are made of PFA or PTFE.

(52) In addition to the turbulent flow generating blocks 380, 390, or 400, another structure in which the heat transfer efficiency in the chemical liquid flowing to the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 of the second heat sink 300 can be raised is suggested.

(53) For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, each chemical liquid flow path tube 310 has protruding portions 311 and concave portions 312 repeatedly formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof along a circumferential direction thereof in such a manner as to be extended along a longitudinal direction thereof. Through the formation of the protruding portions 311 and the concave portions 312, heat exchange areas between the chemical liquid flow path tube 310 and the chemical liquid flowing therealong can be increased, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency between the second heat sink 300 and the chemical liquid.

(54) For other examples, as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, each chemical liquid flow path tube 310 has a plurality of partitioning bars 313 extendedly formed at the inside thereof along a longitudinal direction thereof in such a manner as to partition the flow path into a plurality of areas. Through the formation of the partitioning bars 313, heat exchange areas between the chemical liquid flow path tube 310 and the chemical liquid flowing therealong can be increased, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency between the second heat sink 300 and the chemical liquid.

(55) Even if not shown, in detail, the turbulent flow generating blocks 380, 390 or 400 may be inserted into the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 having the structures as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C, and in this case, degrees of turbulent flows generated in the chemical liquid flow path tubes 310 can be more raised to thus upgrade the heat transfer efficiency. Through the formation of the portioning bars 313, especially, if the sectional area of each chemical liquid flow path tube 310 is partitioned into the plurality of small sectional areas, degrees of turbulent flows generated in the partitioned flow paths can be increased to the maximum.

(56) While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention covers all the modifications, equivalents, and replacements within the idea and technical scope of the invention.

EXPLANATIONS OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(57) 100: first heat sink 200: thermoelectric module 300: second heat sink 310: chemical liquid flow path tube 320: chemical liquid inlet tube 330: chemical liquid outlet tube 340: first heat sink block 350: second heat sink block 361: first manifold block 362: second manifold block 363: third manifold block 380, 390, 400: turbulent flow generating block