Theory of molecular distillation:- The mean free path of a molecule is defined as the average distance through which a molecule can move without coming into collision with another. For material that are regarded as non volatile under ordinary conditions of temperature and pressure are generally removed by this by increasing the mean free path. Characteristics of the molecular distillation process:- Very high vacuum Evaporating surface must be close to the condensing surface The liquid area is large to avoid boiling and evolution of the vapors is from surface only. Packed distillation columns Packed columns are used for distillation, gas absorption and liquid-liquid extraction. The gas-liquid contact in a packed column is continuous, not stage-wise, as in a plate column.The liquid flows down in the column over a packing surface and the vapor (or the gas) movescounter-currently, up the column. The performance of a packed column is very dependent onthe maintenance of good liquid and gas distribution through the packed bed, and this is animportant consideration in packed column design