Abstract: The reactive distillation is carried out in a column (1) with a packing (2) which is at least partly designed as a catalyst carrier (23). Fluids (3, 4) which form two phases of different densities flow through the packing. An internal volume flow (300) is set for the denser fluid (3), the value of which lies in an interval (I) about a distinguished value (a), with this value being associated with a dwell time distribution (32) of the denser fluid: For the distinguished value the variance (s) of the dwell time distribution—as a function of the internal volume flow—takes on a minimum; and at the boundaries of the named interval the internal volume flow does not differ from the distinguished value by more than 30%, preferably by more than 10%.

Abstract: A method of operating a mass exchange column, a heat exchange column, or a static mixer. The method includes providing a packing wherein assembly of the packing includes providing at least one flat, structural element including a plurality of separate adjoining strips of a sheet material. Each strip has first and second spaced-apart longitudinal edges with longitudinal edges of adjoining strips being placed opposite each other. The adjoining strips are in contact with and secure to each other where they contact each other to provide the flat structural element with structural stability. The longitudinal edges of the strips include a plurality of repetitively spaced-apart recesses of a predetermined shape and the recessed in longitudinal edges are opposite to each other to define a multiplicity of repetitively arranged openings distributed over the structural element.