In separating useful components such as gasoline from a liquid such as petroleum, a method called distillation is frequently used. The extent of separation achieved is enhanced by increasing the surface area available for contact between the liquid and the vapor. One method to increase this surface area is to fill the column with some kind of packing. Desirable packing characteristics are a large surface area per unit weight, and volume occupied. In addition the packing should be inert relative to the liquids being separated. A variety of packing shapes are displayed in three columns in the Chemical Engineering Laboratory in room 59A in the basement of Anderson Tower.

One of these packing types has been used to fill a short section of a glass column. It is the purpose of this contest to estimate the number of pieces of packing in the glass column.

Location:

The contest packed column, along with other Chemical Engineering equipment exhibits, is located in room 59A in the basement of Anderson Tower. The basement level laboratory can be reached either by the elevators or by two stairways at either end of the building.

Contest Winner:

The contest winner will be the entrant who has the closest guess to the actual number of pieces of packing in the glass column. If more than one person guesses the same closest value then a single winner will be picked by a random drawing from this group.

Prize:

A single $25 Joseph-Beth Book Store gift certificate will be awarded as the winning prize.

Sponsor:

The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering