We compare transport equations derived from non-equilibrium thermodynamics to a classical rate model developed over the last 20 years, in terms of their ability to calculate the heat and mass fluxes by modeling a segment of a packed distillation column. We show, using water and ethanol separation as an example, that there is a significant coupling between heat and mass transfer. Neglect of this transport coefficient leads to variations in the magnitude, even the sign of the calculated heat flux, while the mass flux is less affected. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.