A flow distributor (18, 118, 218) for liquid descending in a vertically elongated process column, said distributor (18, 118, 218) comprising: a central distribution member (30, 130, 230) comprising at least one inlet for receiving a liquid stream and one or more liquid outlets (35, 135, 235) for discharging a portion of said liquid stream from said central distribution member (30, 130, 230); a plurality of elongated side members (36, 136, 236) configured to receive at least a portion of the liquid discharged from said liquid outlets (35, 135, 235) of said central distribution member (30, 130, 230), wherein said elongated side members (36, 136, 236) are longitudinally spaced from each other along the length of said central distribution member (30, 130, 230) and comprise one or more openings (38, 145a, 145b, 245) for discharging liquid therefrom and wherein the elongated side members (36, 136, 236) are either piping members or comprise two elongated side walls (141a, 141b, 241a, 241b); a plurality of distribution troughs (40, 140, 240) positioned proximate said elongated side members (36, 136, 236), wherein each of said distribution troughs (40, 140, 240) comprises a pair of elongated sidewalls (42a, 42b, 142a, 142b, 242a, 242b) laterally spaced from one another to define a liquid receiving space (44, 144, 244), and a substantially open floor therebetween, wherein said liquid receiving space (44, 144, 244) is configured to receive liquid discharged from said openings (38, 145a, 145b, 245) of said elongated side members (36, 136, 236) and discharge the liquid from said distribution trough (40, 140, 240) through said open floor; and two or more sheets of structured packing positioned in each of said liquid receiving spaces (44, 144, 244) for enhancing horizontal spreading of the liquid when it is received in the liquid receiving space (44, 144, 244) and before it is discharged from the distribution trough (40, 140, 240) through said floor region, each of said two or more sheets of structured packing defining, at their lower edge, a lower drip edge for said liquid, wherein at least a portion of said lower drip edge is serrated, wherein each of said two or more sheets of structured packing is vertically-extending and comprises corrugated or gauze packing material (50, 150, 250), and wherein said drip edges create parallel lines of liquid when the liquid is discharged from the distribution trough (40, 140, 240), wherein each of said two or more sheets of structured packing comprises textured structured packing or perforated structured packing. a central distribution member (30, 130, 230) comprising at least one inlet for receiving a liquid stream and one or more liquid outlets (35, 135, 235) for discharging a portion of said liquid stream from said central distribution member (30, 130, 230); a plurality of elongated side members (36, 136, 236) configured to receive at least a portion of the liquid discharged from said liquid outlets (35, 135, 235) of said central distribution member (30, 130, 230), wherein said elongated side members (36, 136, 236) are longitudinally spaced from each other along the length of said central distribution member (30, 130, 230) and comprise one or more openings (38, 145a, 145b, 245) for discharging liquid therefrom and wherein the elongated side members (36, 136, 236) are either piping members or comprise two elongated side walls (141a, 141b, 241a, 241b); a plurality of distribution troughs (40, 140, 240) positioned proximate said elongated side members (36, 136, 236), wherein each of said distribution troughs (40, 140, 240) comprises a pair of elongated sidewalls (42a, 42b, 142a, 142b, 242a, 242b) laterally spaced from one another to define a liquid receiving space (44, 144, 244), and a substantially open floor therebetween, wherein said liquid receiving space (44, 144, 244) is configured to receive liquid discharged from said openings (38, 145a, 145b, 245) of said elongated side members (36, 136, 236) and discharge the liquid from said distribution trough (40, 140, 240) through said open floor; and two or more sheets of structured packing positioned in each of said liquid receiving spaces (44, 144, 244) for enhancing horizontal spreading of the liquid when it is received in the liquid receiving space (44, 144, 244) and before it is discharged from the distribution trough (40, 140, 240) through said floor region, each of said two or more sheets of structured packing defining, at their lower edge, a lower drip edge for said liquid, wherein at least a portion of said lower drip edge is serrated, wherein each of said two or more sheets of structured packing is vertically-extending and comprises corrugated or gauze packing material (50, 150, 250), and wherein said drip edges create parallel lines of liquid when the liquid is discharged from the distribution trough (40, 140, 240), wherein each of said two or more sheets of structured packing comprises textured structured packing or perforated structured packing.