The separation of immiscible organic liquids by distillation using steam. It involves the injection of live steam into the bottom of the distillation column and into the heated mixture for separation. The steam reduces the partial pressure of the mixture and reduces the temperature required for vaporization. When distilled, the components operate independently of one another, with each being in equilibrium with its own (p. 359) vapour. Steam distillation is used in the primary separation of crude distillation in a fractionation column.