Selecting Thermal Management Applications for Semiconductor Manufacturers

Constant thermal failures in semiconductor OEM facilities is one of the major concerns that significantly affect ROI. Amongst many potential hotspots of thermal failures, hoses, insulations, regulators, and needle valves are some of the frequently observed weak links. For instance, extreme hot or cold temperatures can develop hardness and cracks on hose reinforcement, leading to hose failures. They can also lead to fugitive emissions. That calls for hoses, along with associated adapters and fittings to match with high temp standards and specifications. In this regard, Swagelok’s thermal management applications and expert engineering advice have helped many semiconductor OEMs in Northern California perform beyond the limitations of thermal challenges. Let’s have a look at some of the highly sought-after Swagelok thermal management applications. 

Top Thermal Management Applications from Swagelok

High Temp Hoses

Swagelok offers hoses with customizable core tubes to address a wide range of temperature applications. The table below shows the list of different types of cores available along with their typical temperature range for your reference. 

Apart from offering you the best solution, we also help you follow best practices in the host installation and usage through our bespoke technical customer support.  

Insulated Tubings

Whether it is about steam supply or condensate return, heatproofing the flow of fluid inside can be a challenge for semiconductor OEMs. Swagelok’s insulated tubing solutions successfully isolate outer equipment from inner fluid influence and therefore reduce heat loss with ease. The 316 SS body coupled with low-temp PVC jacket keeps personnel safe from hot process and steam lines while offering a budget-conscious alternative to field-installed insulation of small-diameter tubing systems. These tubings are good to go with a process temperature of 204°C and a minimum service temperature up to –55°C.

Field Station Modules

Swagelok’s FSM reduces process gas pressure before transporting it to an analyzer. It effectively reduces the partial pressure of water vapor possible in the gas mixture to avoid condensation of the sample transport line. This directly reduces the overall system pressure as well. It comes with several customized options to mount heaters with a thermostat inside the enclosure for freeze protection or temperature maintenance. 

Vaporizing Regulators

Incomplete vaporization of liquid samples can cause condensation outside. Swagelok’s pre-heated vaporizing pressure-reducing regulator can preheat gas samples to avoid condensation. The heater remains in direct contact with process media for maximum thermal efficiency. In this regard, Swagelok has two distinct models—KSV series and KEV series regulators. The KSV series is a steam-heated vaporizing regulator whereas the KEV series is an electrically heated one. The KEV series regulator further comes with T3 temperature classification for all heaters to bear surface temperatures up to 200°C. The maximum operating temperature of these regulators can be enhanced with customizable seat materials such as PCTFE, or PEEK.

N & HN Series Needle valves 

Swagelok understands how important it is to accurately control flow rates under extreme temperature fluid conditions. The N series and HN series successfully meet those extreme pressure (up to 10 000 psig) and extreme temperature profile (-53°C to 1200°C) requirements with ease. With customizable packing and 316 stainless steel steam body, these needle valves have a maximum allowable leak rate of 0.1 std cm3/min. Moreover, they are API 624 tested for fugitive emissions. That means, at no point, will there be a leak above 100 ppm of methane due to thermal breakdown.  

Swagelok Helps Semiconductor OEMs Optimize Thermal Performance 

Swagelok has been on a mission to develop next-gen thermal management applications to help semiconductor OEMs hit new performance benchmarks like never before. We have been enabling semiconductor manufacturers in Northern California to assess, analyze, and select custom fluid management solutions for extreme temperature scenarios.

Moreover, our team of experts can offer you deep insight into your existing system condition either physically or through virtual support. For instance, while selecting the right hose for your system, our team can check for factors beyond min and max pressure and temperature limits. They can assess fluid compatibility, application type (static/dynamic), flow velocity, permeation, and absorption of system media. After a thorough analysis, our hose advisory service can provide you with the best customization to ensure long hose life and performance. 

To find out more about how Swagelok Northern California can help you with selecting the right thermal management applications, contact our team today by calling 510-933-6200.

About Morgan Zealear | Product Engineer, Assembly Services

Morgan holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is certified in Section IX, Grab Sample Panel Configuration, and Mechanical Efficiency Program Specification (API 682), and he is well versed in B31.3 Process Piping Code. Before joining Swagelok Northern, he was a manufacturing engineer at Sierra Instruments, primarily focused on capillary thermal meters for the semiconductor industry (ASML).