A pipestill is a type of distillation apparatus used in the refining of crude oil. It is a vertical column with multiple trays or plates inside, where the crude oil is heated to separate its components based on their boiling points. The lighter components rise to the top of the column, while the heavier components sink to the bottom, allowing for the collection of different fractions such as gasoline, diesel, and heavy fuel oil. The pipestill is a crucial component in the oil refining process, helping to produce various petroleum products.