Question

Why is steel wool used in fractional distillation?

(a) Increases the surface area

(b) Improves the separation between the liquids

(c) Increases the surface area and improves the separation between the liquids

(d) Increases the surface area and the quality of the distillate

The question was posed to me in an international level competition.

My enquiry is from Distillation Basics in division Distillation of Food Processing Unit Operations

Answer 1

Right option is (c) Increases the surface area and improves the separation between the liquids

For explanation: Fractionating column is filled with a packing material like glass, steel wool and plastic beads. It increases the surface area and improves the separation between the liquids being distilled.