Process of improving the separation of noble gases from a gas mixture

Abstract

A process and an apparatus in a column arrangement for improving the separation of noble gases, particularly krypton, from a gas mixture containing such noble gases using an organic solvent as an absorption agent, utilizing a boiling point spacing of the charged absorption agent of less than or equal to 1.5.degree. C. below the boiling point of the pure absorption agent. The resulting pure absorption agent which is to be recycled, after heating it to a temperature corresponding to the boiling point at the associated operating pressure or up to 10.degree. higher is initially used as a heat exchange medium to regulate the evaporation rate of the charged absorption agent during the desorption of N.sub.2 and O.sub.2. The pure absorption agent is then used as a heat exchange medium to heat the cold absorption agent charged with Kr, N.sub.2 and O.sub.2 before the pure absorption agent is brought in contact with the gas mixture of N.sub.2, O.sub.2 and Kr entering the column.