PURIFICATION OF INERT GASES TO REMOVE TRACE IMPURITIES

摘要

An argon purification system is provided which includes a cryogenic heat exchanger, a cryogenic distillation column. The cryogenic heat exchanger is configured to remove heat from a pre-treated argon waste stream to create a cold feed stream. The cryogenic distillation column includes packing, a reboiler, and an overhead condenser, as well as an upper portion and a lower portion and is configured to receive a liquid feed stream and to produce a bottoms argon product stream and a gas waste stream. The reboiler is positioned in the lower portion of the cryogenic distillation column and is configured to condense the cold feed stream to produce the liquid feed stream. The condenser is positioned in the upper portion of the cryogenic distillation column and is configured to heat the bottoms argon product stream such that the bottoms argon product stream evaporates to a purified vapor phase argon stream.