A distillation apparatus includes an evaporator-condenser heat exchanger in combination with a compressor. The heat exchanger is mounted to float in an at least partially immersed position in a sump of liquid. The liquid may be a sap, or may be soiled water, and may have suspended solid. Heating of the liquid yield steam, the steam is compressed, and the heated, compressed steam is fed back into the heat exchanger to provide further heat to the liquid. The process yields a concentrated in the liquid bath and distilled water, each of which may be a desired product. The system may include a pre-heater that exchanges residual heat from the hot distillate with the cooler input liquid. The apparatus and process may have multiple stages.