Are all gases equal in their ability to carry with them lower volatility matter at a given temperature? As we all know water is a great solvent in it's liquid form relative to other substances. I wonder however how it performs as a gas relative to other stuff.
Does anyone know how well steam carries compounds with it compared to other gases at the same temperature and pressure?
It depends on how a solvent is defined. Regardless of semantics, supercritical steam 217.75 atm, 373.946 °C is a very good solvent. It will dissolve fats, hydrocarbons or plastics. It also becomes very corrosive to metals.