Vacuum distillation is a separation process that involves heating a liquid mixture under reduced pressure. This lower pressure decreases the boiling points of the components, allowing them to vaporize at lower temperatures. This method is particularly useful for separating heat-sensitive substances that might decompose if heated to their normal boiling points. In this process, the vaporized components are then condensed back into liquid form and collected. Vacuum distillation is commonly used in the petroleum industry to refine crude oil and in laboratories to purify solvents and other chemicals without damaging them.