how can i cause small bubbles in liquid to coalesce?

Question

would steel wool do the job?

any other options?

Answer 1

In liquid what?
From experience with molten glass and a few other liquids like plaster and paint, the common solutions are to stir slowly so no new bubbles are introduced and the small bubbles, which have too little bouyancy to overcome viscosity resistance are encouraged to move and, for large volumes, to introduce large bubbles which stir the liquid in rising and "collect" small bubbles nearby.
Heating which reduces viscosity also enables small bubble movement.
I have no idea why steel wool would do anything unless you poured the liquid carefully through it where the surface effects might capture the bubbles. Pour too fast and more bubbles are introduced.