[pom]

Researching this process at the moment for recycling waste plastics. This site http://science.howstuffworks.com/oil-refining4.htm shows a basic process.

What I need to know is the effect that oxygen (atmosphere) would have inside the closed distillation process. Some research I have read have commented oxygen is 'bad' for the process. Anyone know why this would be ?

If this is the case should the chamber be purged with an inert gas - if so what type.

thanks

Pom

[Mitch]

inert gases would likely include Argon or Neon.

[DrCMS]

inert gases would likely include Argon or Neon.

No I think it will be nitrogen. 
You lab chemist get gases in cylinders and don't worry too much about cost/L us industial ones get our inert gas from the atmosphere with membrane systems which cost a lot to install but give lower cost/L over their lifetime.