distillate

Distillate is the liquid product condensed from vapor during distillation, the process of heating a liquid mixture to generate vapor and then cooling that vapor back to a liquid. Distillation relies on differences in boiling points to separate components. A fractionating or fractional distillation uses a column to improve separation of components with similar boiling points; simple distillation provides a rougher separation.

The term distillate is used in several contexts. In chemistry, a distillate is the purified liquid produced from the distillation of a mixture or the condensate collected from a pure substance as it is heated. In petroleum refining, distillates are the fractions obtained from crude oil by atmospheric or vacuum distillation that have mid-range or low boiling points. These can include light products such as naphtha and gasoline, and middle distillates such as kerosene and diesel fuel; the exact categorization varies by regulation and practice. Distillates in this sense are often used as fuels, solvents, or feedstocks for further processing.

Distillates are also produced in other industries, where the product is the concentrated liquid obtained by distillation of natural products, plant extracts, or synthesized mixtures. The precise composition of a distillate depends on the starting material and the distillation conditions, and impurities may carry over if separation is incomplete, necessitating further purification or redistillation.

Safety and handling are important, as distillation involves heat, vaporization of potentially flammable substances, and the management of vapors and residues. Proper equipment, ventilation, and adherence to relevant guidelines are essential.