Random Column Packing

Basics

• Using a random distribution of materials to pack a column
• The easiest to set up, may not be the most efficient, but will most likely "get the job done"
• Steel Wool and Similar Metal Wools, Shredded Materials, Rings, Lattice Shapes, And Large Spheres can all work

Off the Shelf Solutions

Steel Wool

• Easily available at local stores

Copper Scouring Pads

• Available as "dish scrubbers"
• Should be more "food grade" and thus can be used in distillers etc
• Amazon Search
• ~10 USD for a few ~10 cm diameter by ~2.5 cm disks

Stainless Steel Scouring Pads

• Similar to the copper, yet stainless steel

Shredded Material

• Plastic Flakes or Bottle Shredder shreds can work
• The waste from metalwork such as Metal Lathes, and CNC Mills should work

Plastic Lattices

• Bio Balls

Rings

• Chopped Pipe (PVC or Metal)
• Ceramic Rings

See Also

• Gas Liquid Contactor
• Dessicant-Humidifier Cycle Refrigeration
• Pressure Swing Absorbtion
• Gas Scrubber
• Distillation Column

Useful Links

• The Wikipedia Page on Random Column Packing