Regular packing element of thin foil-like material for mass transfer and heat exchange columns

A regular packing element for mass transfer and heat exchange columns has coarsely folded layers each being made of a thin foil-like material such as sheet metal. Both the front and back surfaces of the layers are provided with an identical fine structuring or patterning defining a network of crossing channels with bases. The channels are bounded by the flanks of, for example, pyramidal protuberances and depressions. Because of the fine structuring, the liquid flowing along the channels is distributed uniformly over the surfaces of the layers by capillary action and gravity. Also, satisfactory cross-mixture of the liquid occurs since liquid can flow between channels at the channel intersections.