Packing for use in a mass transfer column

A packing element for use in forming a packing module for use in a mass transfer column, the packing element comprising:

• opposite faces, an upper edge region, a lower edge region, a bulk region between the upper edge region and the lower edge region, an upper edge, and a lower edge;
• a plurality of side-by-side and parallel longitudinal rows of arched outer rib elements that are connected at opposite ends to spaced apart side strips and project outwardly in opposite directions from the side strips,
• wherein the longitudinal rows intersect the upper edge at an oblique angle and the lower edge at an oblique angle, in the bulk region the side strips in each longitudinal row extend in parallel relationship to each other, in the upper edge region at least one of the side strips in each longitudinal row converges toward the other side strip, in the lower edge region at least one of the side strips in each longitudinal row converges toward the other side strip, and convergence of the side strips causes a reduction in length and outward projection of the outer rib elements that are connected at opposite ends to the converging side strips.