Apparatus and method for increasing throughput in fluid processing

An apparatus for processing an object with a fluid at high pressure, the fluid being from a fluid source, the apparatus comprising:

• a storage vessel for storing a quantity of the fluid supplied from the fluid source;
• a pump for pumping the fluid from the fluid source to the storage vessel, said pump having an input connected to said fluid source and an output connected to said storage vessel;
• a processing chamber in which objects to be processed are placed for processing and from which the objects are removed after processing;
• a first valve between the pump and the storage vessel;
• a second valve between the storage vessel and the processing chamber;
• an exhaust valve associated with the processing chamber to permit the processing chamber to be vented;
• wherein said first valve is a two way valve having an input, a first output and a second output, said input being connected to the output of said pump, and a first output connected to said storage vessel;
• said second valve is a two way valve having an output, a first input and a second input, said first input being connected to the storage vessel, said output connected to said processing chamber;
• and
• further comprising a bypass connection between said second output of said first valve and said second input of said second valve.