System and method for optimizing production of argon in a cryogenic air separation unit

A method of optimizing crude argon production in an argon producing air separation unit, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a plurality of concurrent temperature measurements from a one or more fiber optic based sensors disposed proximate to an exterior surface of a distillation column or a distillation column section and in a vertical orientation;
• (b) determining a temperature profile along the vertical length of the distillation column or the distillation column section using the plurality of concurrent temperature measurements from the fiber optic based sensors;
• (c) ascertaining the vertical location or spatial movement of the maximum argon concentration in the distillation column or the distillation column section using the temperature profile along the vertical length of the distillation column or the distillation column section;
• (d) adjusting a flow of one or more streams to the lower pressure column or from the lower pressure column to alter the temperature profile and thereby alter the vertical location or spatial movement of the maximum argon concentration in the distillation column or the distillation column section;
• and
• (e) repeating steps (a) through (d) until the vertical location or spatial movement of the maximum argon concentration in the distillation column or the distillation column section is aligned proximate with the location of an argon-rich draw from the distillation column or distillation column section to an argon column of the air separation unit and nitrogen incursion into the argon column is minimized and argon production is optimized.