Apparatuses and processes are provided for stripping gaseous hydrocarbons from particulate material. One process comprises the step of contacting particles that contain hydrocarbons with a stripping vapor in countercurrent flow to remove at least a portion of the hydrocarbons with the stripping vapor to form stripped particles. Contacting the particles includes advancing the particles down a sloping element of a structured packing toward a reinforcing rod that is disposed adjacent to a lower section of the sloping element. The particles are advanced down through an opening formed in the sloping element proximate the reinforcing rod. The particles are contacted with the stripping vapor that is rising up through the opening.