opperating a distillation column far from flooding I know that flooding will ruin the performance of a distillation column. There are many correlations (Eckert, kister, billet, etc.) that will tell you when a column will flood based on your fluid conditions. Most design guides suggest choosing a diameter that will lead 70-80% of the flooding condition. This makes sense as the size of the column (IE, the cost) is as small as possible while still giving you a 20-30% margin of error. 

However, what if due to other constraints you want the column to be large so that it is only operating at 10% of the flooding conditions (IE, a much larger diameter than normal). Would this column still operate? Is this type of operation just avoided because it is not economically practical and a smaller column would do the same thing operating closer to flooding?
Using a much too large column means you loose a lot more heat through its walls, meaning it will take longer for the equilibrium temperature/concentration gradient in it to form, and the destillate comes not only later but also considerably slower.

And you'll have to put more power into heating the still, with following danger of decomposition, unwanted side-products, etc.

If you use an expensive column with silvered vacuum insulation, this effect might not be too large even at only 10% of the maximum capacity. I wouldn't want to judge without trying, though.

Education and experience taught me to always use the proper type and size of equipment. It's faster, cheaper, and gives higher yields. I you have a large column that costs thousands, you can sure afford an additional smaller one at a tenth of the price, can't you?