Method and apparatus for purification of argon

A process for purifying argon to obtain a high-purity argon from argon gas containing at least nitrogen, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and methane, comprising:

• a first step of adding air or oxygen to the argon gas in an amount sufficient to oxidize the contained carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst while maintaining a temperature sufficient to oxidize the contained carbon monoxide without substantially oxidizing the methane;
• a second step of adding hydrogen into the argon gas obtained in the first step and reacting the contained oxygen with hydrogen into water in the presence of a catalyst;
• a third step of removing the carbon dioxide and the water from the argon gas obtained in the second step by use of an adsorbent;
• a fourth step of cooling the argon gas obtained in the third step to liquefy most of the argon, and separating and removing a hydrogen rich gas;
• and
• a fifth step of introducing the liquefied argon obtained in the fourth step into a distillation column and performing distillation by use of as reflux containing argon as a main component to remove nitrogen, hydrogen, and methane, thereby recovering the high purity argon gas.

An apparatus for purifying argon to obtain high purity argon from argon gas containing at least nitrogen, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and methane, comprising:

• a carbon monoxide oxidation tower for adding air or oxygen in an amount sufficient for the carbon monoxide oxidation into the argon gas and for oxidizing the contained carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst while maintaining a temperature sufficient to oxidize the contained carbon monoxide without substantially oxidizing the methane;
• a deoxo tower for receiving the argon gas output from the carbon monoxide oxidation tower, for adding hydrogen, and for reacting the contained oxygen with the hydrogen into water in the presence of a catalyst;
• an adsorption tower for receiving the argon gas output from the deoxo tower and for removing the carbon dioxide and the water by use of an adsorbent;
• a main heat exchanger for receiving the argon gas output from the adsorption tower and for cooling the argon gas;
• and
• a distillation column for receiving argon thus cooled and output from the main heat exchanger, for performing distillation by use of a reflux containing argon as a main component to remove nitrogen, hydrogen, and methane, and for recovering high-purity argon gas.

An apparatus for purifying argon to obtain high purity argon from argon gas containing at least nitrogen, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and methane, comprising:

• a carbon monoxide oxidation tower for adding air or oxygen in an amount sufficient for the carbon monoxide oxidation in the argon gas and for oxidizing the contained carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst while maintaining a temperature sufficient to oxidize the contained carbon monoxide without substantially oxidizing the methane;
• a deoxo tower for receiving the argon gas output from the carbon monoxide oxidation tower, for adding hydrogen, and for reacting the contained oxygen with the hydrogen into water in the presence of a catalyst;
• an adsorption tower for receiving the argon gas output from the deoxo tower and for removing the carbon dioxide and the water by use of an adsorbent;
• and
• a main heat exchanger for receiving the argon gas output from the adsorption tower and for cooling the argon gas;
• a gas/liquid separator for receiving a gas/liquid mixture output from the main heat exchanger and for separating hydrogen rich gas and liquified argon;
• and
• a distillation column for receiving the liquified argon output from the gas/liquid separator, for performing distillation by use of a reflux containing argon as a main component to remove nitrogen, hydrogen, and methane, and for recovering high-purity argon gas.