Abstract: A packing for a vessel to contact fluid therein wherein the packing comprises a plurality of insert units, each insert unit comprising a plurality of transversely extending elements disposed longitudinally along the insert unit and angularly thereabout wherein a portion of each transverse element lies in close proximity to a first individual conceptual surface characterized in that the insert units are disposed in side-by-side relationship in a regular manner and the cross-sectional area between adjacent individual conceptual surfaces of adjacent insert units at least at one position longitudinally of the plurality of insert units is no greater than the maximum cross-sectional area within an individual conceptual surface of an insert unit between two adjacent transversely extending elements thereof at any cross-section longitudinally of the plurality of units.

Abstract: This invention relates to dumped packings for use in gas/liquid contact apparatus and analogous apparatus. The dumped packings consist of a plurality of packing elements of specific configuration to provide packings with good characteristics in use. Each element consists of a generally elongate curved or polygonal base member which is substantially flat transversely but extends 90.degree. to 270.degree. about the notional axis of the curve or polygon to form an open shape extending generally in a plane perpendicular to that notional axis. The base member includes one or more elongate apertures bridged by elongate bridges integral with the base member and of opposite sense curvature. This construction gives packing elements which combine high strength with good mass transfer performance.