Question

Difference between atmospheric distillation and vacuum distillation

Answer 1

The atmospheric distillation is used to handle the straight crude oil and it operates at a pressure of roughly atmosphere. The vacuum distillation column is used to handle the residue (being heavy) from the distillation column and that at a reduced pressure in order to decrease the boiling point of the species so that the recovery of heavier components can be done easier.

Vacuum Distillation:

In vaccum distilation the column iis usually of larger diameter and below the atmosperic pressure while in an atmospheric distilation the column is usually of small diameter and on or above the atmospheric pressure