Method and apparatus for protective atmosphere recycling

A recycling apparatus for spent protective atmosphere gas contaminated with fouling organic decomposition byproduct materials, said recycling apparatus comprising:

• a compressor having an inlet connected to a spent protective atmosphere gas supply line;
• a solvent supply configured to supply solvent to a gas passage at or upstream of said compressor;
• a first chamber connected to an outlet of said compressor, said first chamber being configured to receive compressed gas from said compressor and to collect a mixture including the solvent and any contaminants entrapped or dissolved in the solvent;
• a second chamber connected to an outlet of said first chamber, said second chamber being configured to receive compressed gas from said compressor and to collect the mixture including the solvent and any contaminants entrapped or dissolved in the solvent;
• a heat exchanger provided along a conduit connecting said second chamber to said first chamber, said heat exchanger being configured to cool the compressed gas within said conduit;
• a third chamber provided upstream of said compressor and having an inlet connected to the spent protective atmosphere gas supply line,
• wherein said first chamber includes a drain with a drain valve configured to discharge the mixture from said first chamber, and
• wherein said drain is configured to supply the discharged mixture to said third chamber.