Noble gas purifier with single purifier vessel and recuperative heat exchanger

An apparatus for removing impurities from a noble gas or nitrogen utilizing a single purifier vessel and a recuperative heat exchanger, comprising:

• (a) a gas entrance port for entry of the gas to be purified into the vessel;
• (b) a first zone of the vessel having first heater means for temperature control, where the gas entering from the gas entrance port is preheated to a temperature greater than 150.degree. C.;
• (c) a second zone of the vessel having second heater mean for temperature control, where the preheated gas is contacted with a getter material at greater than 335.degree. C. for removal of impurities;
• (d) a third zone of the vessel having heat reduction means for temperature control, where the gas is contacted with a getter material at a temperature greater than 150.degree. C. for removal of hydrogen;
• (e) a gas exit port for exit of the gas from the vessel;
• and
• (f) a recuperative heat exchanger having a first gas flow channel connected to the gas entrance port for flow of gas to be purified to the vessel and having a second gas flow channel connected to the gas exit port for flow of gas from the vessel, at least a portion of the channels aligned in proximity to each other, whereby hot gas exiting the vessel preheats in-coming gas by thermal transfer before the in-coming gas enters the first zone of the vessel.