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Why are vacuum distillation units important for making lubricating oils?
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petroleum refining
Aerial view of an oil refinery near New Orleans.
Vacuum distillation units are essential in the production of lubricating oils because they allow for the separation of heavy hydrocarbon components at lower temperatures than would be required at atmospheric pressure.21
By operating under reduced pressure—typically 50 to 100 mm of mercury—these units prevent the thermal cracking or decomposition of the oil that would otherwise occur if the material were heated to the high temperatures necessary for distillation at standard pressure. By keeping furnace temperatures generally below 425 °C (800 °F), refiners can successfully isolate the heavy distilled oils needed to manufacture high-quality lubricants.213