Purification of inert gases to remove trace impurities

An argon purification system, the system comprising:

• a cryogenic heat exchanger, wherein the cryogenic heat exchanger is configured to remove heat from a pre-treated argon waste stream to create a cold feed stream;
• a cryogenic distillation column comprising a packing section, a reboiler, and an overhead condenser, said cryogenic distillation column having an upper portion and a lower portion and being configured to receive a liquid feed stream and to produce a bottoms argon product stream and a gas waste stream;
• wherein the reboiler is positioned in the lower portion of the cryogenic distillation column and is configured to remove heat from the cold feed stream such that the cold feed stream condenses to the liquid feed stream;
• and
• wherein the overhead 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.