Efficient operation is crucial for the economic viability of industrial absorption columns in exhaust gas treatment. The operating point is usually set so that the flooding point is not reached under any circumstances. This is to avoid high pressure losses and a reduction in mass transfer and the resulting separation efficiency. In addition, there is a risk of solvent leakage from the absorption column in the event of flooding. However, if the column is operated too far below the flooding point, the capacity of the column is not fully utilised. Thus, for cost-optimised and efficient operation, the column should be operated close to the loading point. In this context, the implementation of an intelligent control algorithm with automated loading point detection for an absorption column was investigated. The implemented control algorithm is based on a Fourier transformation of the measurement signal for the pressure loss across the column. An empirical model based on collected operational data calculates the liquid load at the loading point. A pump is then used to adjust the actual liquid load in the absorption column to the calculated model value. Hydraulic and mass transfer experiments were carried out to evaluate the implemented control algorithm. The results of these experiments showed that the control algorithm is capable of achieving pre-defined objectives – such as a specific separation efficiency and flue gas concentration – under varying operating conditions, potentially requiring a short adjustment period.