Apparatus and method for processing a sublimed material

Apparatus for the solidification by desublimation of a sublimed gaseous substance and the subsequent trapping and liquefication of said desublimed substance, the apparatus comprising:

• means for the supply of a coolant fluid to a process vessel means;
• means for the supply of said sublimed substance to said vessel;
• means for enabling the direct contact and mixing of said coolant fluid with said sublimed substance so as to reduce the temperature of said sublimed substance to below a dewpoint thereof;
• said vessel means including a lower tank portion into which solid desublimed substance falls;
• said vessel means further including heating means at least about said tank portion;
• valve means to enable said vessel means to be sealed to allow a raised pressure to be established in said vessel means;
• conduit means having a first end at a position adjacent a lower end of said tank portion such as to be immersed in liquid resulting from the liquefaction of said desublimed substance, and a second end remote from said first end outside said vessel and connected to means to receive said liquefied substance;
• and
• said conduit means having means to permit the controlled expulsion of said liquefied substance.