In this work the dynamic behaviour and control of trayed and packed distillation columns are studied by rigorous modelling. First, the lambda parameter to measure the interaction of the internal vapour and liquid flows is studied for packed columns. The calculated lambda values predict severe controllability problems at higher internal flow rates close to flooding if the vapour flow is manipulated in a packed column. Secondly, open and closed loop simulations are carried out considering several control loop devices of different delays. The open loop simulations show that the packed column is significantly faster than the trayed column. On the other hand the closed loop simulations prove that average control loop delays have practically no influence on the dynamic behaviour of the trayed column due to the significantly higher process time constants. In the case of packed columns, however, the average control loop delays are the same order of magnitude as the process time constants. If fast response with dual composition control is needed it is mandatory to install advanced control loop devices for packed columns.