Batch distillation is the most common type of solvent recovery operation. A batch of contaminated solvent mixture is heated to its boiling point and the resulting vapor is condensed, either in air or in a water-cooled condenser.

After the batch has been distilled, the contaminants remain in the boiler and are removed.

The container for the dirty solvent may be either fixed or removable. A plastic liner, suitable for high temperatures, may be used with a fixed container to facilitate clean-up. These liners are normally found in the smaller sizes of equipment.