SPP Semi flooded performance gain, The answer?

[Mad Mariner]

The fact that spp performs better when semi flooded is a known fact, the reason why is less clear
I believe the answer may be provided by the same theory posted by me in the "Magic Marbles" thread
The Theory
"Vertical heat conduction via packing media has a negative impact on the ideal gradient for that packing and thus reflux performance is compromised
Units of thermal mass must be as small as possible and thermally insulated from each other vertically"

The thermal conductance of stainless steel is 45 w/mk
The thermal conductance of water is 0.6 w/mk
The thermal conductance of ethanol is 0.14 w/mk
The column is filled with a mix of the two approaching 0.6 at the bottom and 0.14 at the top
When the spp is run in a non flooded state the mesh is tightly in contact with each other by virtue of their weight and vertical thermal conduction is good
with resultant negative impact on the ideal gradient for the packing
When the spp is run in a semi flooded state the spp is suspended in the liquid with less pressure on contact areas between units decreasing thermal transfer
Spp is also known to move and rattle in the column. indicating that it is not always in contact allowing the low conductance layer of liquid between them

This will reduce the heat conductance through the packing significantly and enhance reflux performance
The largest gain would then be when the top of the column is flooded where the conductance of the distillate is at its lowest at 0,14w/mk

Your thoughts will be appreciated !
Edit: changed heading