A distillation column is a key piece of equipment used in the separation of mixtures based on differences in boiling points. It consists of a vertical cylinder filled with packing material or trays that provide surface area for vapor and liquid to interact. As the mixture is heated, the more volatile components vaporize and rise through the column, while less volatile components condense and fall back down. The process of distillation is widely used in various industries, including petroleum refining, chemical production, and alcohol distillation. By carefully controlling temperature and pressure, distillation columns can efficiently separate and purify desired components from complex mixtures.