Packed columns are extensively used for distillation, gas absorption, and liquid-liquid extraction with effective mass transfer in many industrial applications. As opposed to plate columns, in which gas-liquid contact takes place in distinct stages, packed columns allow continuous phase contact. During operation, liquid descends over the structured or random packing surface, and vapor (or gas) moves counter-currently upwards, maximizing contact area and improving separation efficiency.

Packed columns are widely applied in distillation, gas absorption, and liquid-liquid extraction processes with highly efficient mass transfer. In contrast to plate columns, where gas-liquid contact is made in individual stages, packed columns allow continuous contact between the phases, maximizing efficiency.

During operation, the liquid descends over the packing surface, while the vapor (or gas) flows counter-currently upward, improving separation. The efficiency of a packed column is highly reliant on having a uniform distribution of liquid and gas across the packed bed, which is an important design and optimization consideration for packed columns.