A representation of the condition of the feed to a binary distillation process used in the McCabe–Thiele graphical method (see Fig. 47). The line represents the condition of the feed in which q is the mole fraction of the more volatile component in the feed. The slope of the q-line is and can be used to indicate the condition of the feed. Where the feed is a saturated liquid then q = 1 and the slope of the q-line is vertical. If the feed is saturated vapour then q = 0 and the slope of the q-line is horizontal.