Somtimes, there is a community forum conversation where so much great information and insight is shared that I like to bring it to everyone's attention. Below is one such posting where some community members debate the need for a reflux drum on a distillation column. If you want to add your experiences to this conversation, use the link below and post your comments in the forum.
I would like to debate the need of reflux drum in continuous distillation systems. Why it can't be through gravity flow? Simply condenser outlet can have one U seal on both sides & one can go to column as reflux and other one can be used for product withdrawal. Let us start this discussion / debate for vacuum distillation which is more critical in terms of pressure balancing, flows etc.
Source: Need Of Reflux Drum