While establishing the vacuum, the flow of coolant is started through the short-path distillation head.

Other adaptors, such as distillation heads and vacuum adaptors, are made with joints that fit in with this convention.

When the distillation is complete: the heat is removed, the vacuum connection is closed, and inert gas is purged through the distillation head and the distillate receiver.

Once the apparatus is assembled, and the liquid to be distilled is in the still pot, the desired vacuum is established in the system by using the vacuum connection on the short-path distillation head.