Abstract: The contact apparatus comprises a perforated base provided with at least one liquid overflow device, and two baffles, the ports of the base being for gas (steam) to pass. The overflow device is in fact two coaxial shells of which the top (as along the flow of liquid) partly encloses the bottom one, and is made up by two shell pieces interconnected by a guide member. The bottom shell piece has smaller flow passage area than the top one. The lower edge of the guide member is located above the upper end of the bottom shell. Each of the baffles is situated under the shell so to make a certain clearance with the lower end of the respective shell. The present invention can find utility when applied in fractionating and absorption columns for processes proceeding under heavy loads in terms of liquid processed, e.g., for purifying converted gas from carbon monoxide and dioxide by various absorbents, as well as for processes for absorbing nitrogen oxides with water in producing weak nitric acid.