Copyright, Chevron, 1996 In a distillation, the components may be separated in many different sequences. For example, one distillation sequence would be to remove the most plentiful component first. Another sequence would be to remove the lightest component first. A third distillation sequence would be to separate components by favoring equimolar splits. These different types of sequencing are called Heuristics. Heuristics helps in determining the most cost effective way to separate components.

Using Heuristics, engineers can determine which type of distillation sequence will yield the most ethane for the lowest cost. An example of separating ethane from natural gas.