System and method for delivery of precursor material

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for distributing products, in particular pyrophoric, from a storage point to a use point. According to the invention, an inert gas is bubbled through the product, in particular pyrophoric, to be purified in the liquid state in order to generate a mixture, the mixture is preferably routed close to the use point, the product, in particular pyrophoric, is separated from the inert gas and from some light impurities, to generate a purified final product, in particular pyrophoric, in liquid or solid form. The purified product is supplied in a quantity just necessary to the use point, particularly when it is solidified in the heat exchanger after the transport of the mixture.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 : A method for distributing a liquid, in particular pyrophoric, product from a storage point to a use point, wherein an inert gas is bubbled through the product in the liquid state in order to generate a mixture of inert gas and vapors of said product, the mixture is preferably routed close to the use point or to a second storage point, the product is separated from the gas mixture by condensation thereof, the inert gas and at least part of the impurities, in particular light, initially contained in the liquid product to be purified, being preserved in the form of waste gas. 
   
   
       25 : The method of  claim 24 , wherein the product to be purified is heated. 
   
   
       26 : The method of  claim 24 , wherein the mixture of inert gas and product vapors is heated during at least part of its routing. 
   
   
       27 : The method of  claim 26 , wherein the mixture is essentially heated along the whole length of its route up to the separation of the product and the inert gas. 
   
   
       28 : The method of  claim 24 , wherein the product contained in the gas mixture is separated from at least the inert gas using a cryogenic condensation system, a membrane and/or an adsorption system. 
   
   
       29 : The method of  claim 28 , in which a cryogenic condensation system is used, wherein the separation initially takes place in a first phase, during which the product, in particular pyrophoric, in gaseous form, is liquefied and recovered. 
   
   
       30 : The method of  claim 29 , wherein in a second phase, the liquid, in particular pyrophoric, product is solidified. 
   
   
       31 : The method of  claim 29 , wherein the transition from the gas phase to the liquid and/or solid phase is carried out by passage through a heat exchanger. 
   
   
       32 : The method of  claim 31 , wherein the cooling in the heat exchanger takes place by indirect contact with a cooled heat transfer liquid using a compressor. 
   
   
       33 : The method of  claim 24 , wherein the solidified pyrophoric product is melted to the purified pyrophoric liquid state. 
   
   
       34 : The method of  claim 33 , wherein an inert gas is injected into the purified pyrophoric liquid, in order to generate a mixture of inert gas and vapors of purified pyrophoric liquid, which can be delivered immediately to the reactor. 
   
   
       35 : The method of  claim 24 , where the purified liquid is recovered and stored in a receptacle, and in that the condensation of the product is accelerated and improved by bubbling the gas product through the purified liquid in the receptacle. 
   
   
       36 : An apparatus for distributing a liquid precursor type of product, wherein it comprises:
 first means for storing an initial product to be distributed,   means for delivering an inert gas,   means for bubbling the inert gas into the initial product to generate vapors of mixtures of inert gases and product,   means for transporting said mixture,   means for condensing the product optionally stripped of at least some of its impurities, to generate a final product.   
   
   
       37 : The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the product condensing means consist of a heat exchanger in which the mixture and a heat transfer fluid flow, preferably a coil in the form of a double jacket tube. 
   
   
       38 : The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a portion for liquefying the product in the form of a final product. 
   
   
       39 : The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a portion for collecting the final product, and that the vapor mixture of inert gas and product is bubbled through the portion of collected final product to aid in liquefying the product. 
   
   
       40 : The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a second portion for solidifying said product. 
   
   
       41 : The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein it comprises second means for storing said final product. 
   
   
       42 : The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein it comprises means for heating the first means for storing the initial product. 
   
   
       43 : The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein it comprises heating means placed on at least part of the means for transporting said mixture. 
   
   
       44 : The apparatus of  claim 36 , in which the product is separated from the other elements of the mixture by cryogenic cooling means, comprising, in their upper part, means for removing the inert gas and at least some of the impurities constituting the mixture. 
   
   
       45 : The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein it comprises distribution means for delivering the purified product.