What is vacuum fractional distillation? and how it works
Vacuumfractionaldistillation,alsoknownasvacuumdistillationorreducedpressuredistillation,is a technique used for separation. Therefore purify liquids with boiling points that are high or sensitivetohightem
peratures.Itisavariationoffractionaldistillationthatoperatesunderreducedpressure.
In standard fractional distillation, the liquid mixture is in heat and then into its boiling point. ThereforethevaporswillbecollectedbyDistillationequipmentandthencondensesintoseparate components based ontheir boilingpoints. However, somecompoundsmaydecomposeor reactat hightemperatures,whichcanaffectthepurityandqualityoftheseparatingcomponents.
Hence Vacuum fractional distillation lowers the pressure within the distillation apparatus. Moreover, it decreases the boiling points of the components in the mixture. By reducing the pressure,thetemperaturerequiredtovaporizetheliquidsisalsolowerform,minimizingtheriskof decompositionorunwantedreactions.
Process of Vacuum fractional distillation:
The liquid mixture is placed in a distillation flask, and a vacuum source is connected to the apparatustolowerthepressureinside.
Hence the mixture is heating on gradually, allowing the components with lower boiling points to vaporize.Thereforethesevaporsriseupthefractionatingcolumn,whichprovidesmultiplesurfaces forvapor-liquidcontactandseparation.
As the vapors ascend the fractionating column, they condense on the cooler surfaces. The condensed liquid, enriched in the lower boiling point components, flows back into the distillation flask.
The higher boiling point components remain in the distillation flask, as their boiling points are higherthanthereducingtemperatureundervacuum.
Thereforethecollectedvaporsfromthecondenserarethenseparatedintodifferentfractionsbased on their boiling points. This can be achieved by using fraction collectors or by adjusting the temperaturegradientalongthefractionatingcolumn.
Vacuum fractional distillation allows for the separation and purification of heat-sensitive or highboiling-point compounds, preserving their integrity and purity. It finds applications in various industries,includingpetroleumrefining,andpharmaceuticals.
ThereforeIt’simportanttonotethatvacuumdistillationrequiresspecializedequipmentcapableof withstanding reduced pressure conditions and careful control of operating parameters to achieve thedesiredseparationresults.
How vacuum fractional distillation works:
Vacuumfractionaldistillationiscarriedoutusingaspecializationinequipmentdesignedtooperate underreducedpressureconditions.Moreover,
The process involves the following steps:
Read The Full Blog:- What is vacuum fractional distillation? and how it works