A binary MeOH-H2O system was used to test (a) catalytically active Sulzer's Katapak-S-250Y metal gauze packing, 250 (diam.) x200-mm elements filled (26 vol. %) with a Purolite CT-175 cation exchange resin, sp. surface 130 m(2)/m(3), and (b) Sulzer's BX plastic gauze packing, 250 (diam.) x 170-mm elements, sp. surface 500 m(2)/m(3), in a 1-m packed-height (empty set 250 mm) column, at total reflux and over an F.-factor range of 0.3-2.0 Pa-0.5. The number of theoretical stages per meter (NTSM), evaluated by the Fenske method, was (a) 1.5-1.8 and (b) 3-3.3 m(-1) over F-v = 0.7-1.5 Pa-0.5, where F-v = W-v (rho(DV))(0.5) (w(v) = superficial vapor velocity based on total column area, m/s; rho(DV) = vapor density, kg/m(3)). Packings of mixed types are advised for reactive distillation.