In operations involving large temperature changes. (e.g. distillation), plate towers are preferred over packed towers as the packing may be crushed due to large temperature changes
Plate tower is perferred, if interstage cooling is required to remove heats of reaction or solution
Plate tower is preferred over packed tower, if the operation involves liquids containing dispersed solids
The total weight of a dry plate tower is usually much more than that of a dry packed tower designed for the same duty
EXAMIANS