A continuously operated distillation column used in petrochemical refineries to remove methane as distillate from a mixed feed of light hydrocarbons. Any hydrogen will also leave from the top of the column while ethane and other heavier components leave from the bottom. To ensure that the hydrocarbons can be separated in the liquid phase, the distillation process is typically operated at a gauge pressure of around 24 to 28 bar and temperature of −60°C.