Abstract: A spinning band device for use in a distillation process including a particular pattern of apertures. The band is made of of an elongated strip, either metal screen or Teflon, twisted about its longitudinal center. Both embodiments contain frayed or jagged edges to create turbulences within a mixture and scrape the inner wall of a distillation column. The novel features of this band are the large apertures, which a situated on the longitudinal centerline for the metallic embodiment and scattered on the outer face for the Teflon embodiment, combined with the use of a plurality of spinning blades. Experimental testing and empirical data has proven this type of band to yield a significant increase in fractionating efficiency over the conventional two bladed bands without apertures.

Abstract: Bands used in fractionating columns, and more specifically, to the type made from either a metal screen strip or from a Teflon sheet twisted into a helicoid. In addition to previously documented design characteristics, the present spinning band includes a number of additional, circular apertures cut into the face of the metal screen strip and Teflon sheet. The circular apertures, sequentially arranged along the centerline of the band, add to the operating efficiency of the spinning band as it is employed in a fractionation process.