Abstract: A packing for a mass transfer column for absorption, desorption, rectification or extraction processes, includes a packing bed having a packing element, a tubular shrink film shrunk onto at least a portion of a periphery of the packing element, and a baffle arranged at the periphery of the packing element to prevent a wall effect in the column. The baffle has a conical edge which extends outwardly with respect to the shrink film and is made of plastic.

Abstract: A packing for a mass transfer column for absorption, desorption, rectification or extraction processes, includes a packing bed having a packing element, a tubular shrink film shrunk onto at least a portion of a periphery of the packing element, and a baffle arranged at the periphery of the packing element to prevent a wall effect in the column. The baffle has a conical edge which extends outwardly with respect to the shrink film and is made of plastic.

Abstract: For joining corrugated glass plates of borosilicate glass in heavy-duty packings for columns, the corrugated glass plates are placed one on top of another in the desired way and heated for 6-15 minutes at a temperature of 200-230K above their transition temperature Tg. The corrugated glass plates are fused together at their contact points and form an extraordinarily firm bond without the corrugated glass plates being deformed thereby. The composite is so stable that it can be utilized as a column supporting grate.

Abstract: A softened section of length of a glass tube is expanded in a dimensionally accurate mold until it has assumed the dimensions of the mold, the mold being made of a material of lower thermal expansion than that of the glass, so that, after cooling, the calibrated section of tube can be released from the mold without any problems. A block of a .alpha.-o glass ceramic with a calibrated mold bore is preferably employed as the mold. It is possible for the first time to avoid a material-removing machining step, which causes damage to the glass surface, yet to be able to produce sections of the tube with a calibrated outside diameter of a dimensional accuracy which could previously be attained only by cylindrical grinding.