Vacuum Distillation

To undertand Vacuum Distillation, we must first understand the definition of "distillation".

Distillation

Distillation is essentially the process of purifying a liquid by successive evaporation and condensation.

The working principle of distillation is to heat a mixture at a specific temperature, collect the hot vapors and condense to separate the component substance. In simpler terms, a highly volatile compound is separated from a less-volatile or non-volatile compound by using distillation. The principle of distillation has been used since ancient times. It is believed that the ancient Arab chemists applied distillation for the first time to separate perfumes. Today, it is one of the most popular technique implemented for purification and separation of a mixture.

Although there are dfferent types of distillation, TMC specializes in Vacuum Distillation.

Vacuum Distillation

Vacuum distillation is a special method of separating compounds at pressures lower than the standard atmospheric pressure. Under this condition, the compounds boil below their normal boiling temperature. Hence, vacuum distillation is best suited for separation of compounds with higher boiling points (more than 200°C), which tend to decompose at their boiling temperature. Vacuum distillation can be conducted without heating the mixture, as usually followed in other distillation types.

For the separation of some aromatic compounds, vacuum distillation is used along with steam distillation.