Apparatus for preparing ultra-pure nitrogen

Apparatus for separating ultra-pure nitrogen from air, which comprises:

• a) two identical enclosures each enclosing a bed for removing hydrogen and carbon monoxide from said air, said bed comprising a particulate support supporting at least one element selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum, and a bed for removing water vapor and carbon dioxide from said air, one of said enclosures being on stream while the other is regenerated;
• and
• b) an air distillation column fluidly connected to said enclosures for thereafter separating ultra-pure nitrogen from said air.

Apparatus for preparing ultra-pure nitrogen from air, which comprises:

• a) means for removing at least one of hydrogen and carbon monoxide from said air, said means comprising a particulate support and on said support at least one element selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum, said support being disposed in two identical enclosures one operating on stream while the other is regenerated;
• b) an air distillation column fluidly connected to and disposed downstream of said means for removing at least one of hydrogen and carbon monoxide for thereafter separating ultra-pure nitrogen from said air.