Which of the following circumstances might contribute to column ...

[tiara099]

Which of the following circumstances might contribute to column flooding and why?
  (a) holes in column packing
  (b) packing too tight
  (c) heating too rapidly
  (d) column too cold

Question 2

Why is a fractionation column packed with glass helices more efficient than a Vigreux column
  of the same length and same diameter?

[yasmina]

Answer to Question 1

Any one of the listed conditions could lead to flooding:
(a) because vapor can build up excessively, then condense
(b) because the column may be partially plugged (not allowing vapors to ascend freely) adn
because the increased surface area of teh packing allows excellive condensation
(c) and (d) because excessive condensation in the column will occur

Answer to Question 2

The larger surface area of the helices permits more condensation-vaporization steps, thus
increasing thnumber of theoretical plates.

[tiara099]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[olderstudent]

Wow, this really help