I have a hard time coming up with a concrete understanding of hell, because the only times it's mentioned directly (mainly in the Gospels, IIRC), it's a fairly nebulous concept, and seems to be more of a cultural symbol or a cautionary tale than anything terribly literal.
But in contrast, the Lake of Fire (into which death and hell gets thrown (?!?)) seems a much more vivid and definite image.
I dunno!
I think in terms of a process that purges sin... I believe that's best referred to as grace and sanctification, and not really hell.
I don't think the bible gives us a picture of any place of eternal punishment being purifying or redemptive, sadly.