Operating Pressure In Distillation Column

I am designing a distillation column that involves ethylbenzene, benzene, toluene and styrene, with the aim of recycling ethylbenzene. The column operates at 1.2 bar according to the simulation in literature, however, I am figuring out why 1.2 bar is used as it is very close to atmospheric pressure and it results in higher operating costs unless there is a legitimate purpose relating to safety due to the carcinogenic nature of benzene. I was wondering if it is appropriate change the operating pressure to 1.01325 bar instead for my case.

Thank you very much.

Thank you Pilesar! It's clear now.

Component distillation under vacuum pressure is sometimes necessary for fluids very sensitive to heat since the boiling temperatures would be lower. High temperatures can promote decomposition and other unwanted reactions. Since the components in your system are not troublesome, vacuum distillation is not required. Distillation at elevated pressures might be selected when it makes sense for the system flowsheet.

   Process integration leads to compromises. Where one process flowsheet compresses a vapor product, another flowsheet for the same product may instead compress the feed. Design choices for one piece of equipment can have ripple effects on others. Over-optimizing a distillation column (e.g. let's reduce the pressure just a few percent) may lead later to a complete redesign of the tower and condenser and reboiler when you find you need just a little more pressure than you assumed. Designers add a safety factor to equipment designs instead of shaving every last bit of extra margin. This allows room for the field operators and engineers to make additional optimizations to make the plant run 'better than designed.' For your column, the field may determine to target 1.15 bar operation instead of the designed 1.2 bar. As long as they can do so safely, there may be more profit for them with manageable risk. That would not mean the designer was wrong.