Problem

Replacement couplings were for pump systems at a major metropolitan wastewater treatment plant that processes 275 million gallons every day. The plant had been experiencing premature failure of its previous couplings due to their inability to withstand exposure to UV radiation and seasonal temperature changes. Because couplings play a critical role in wastewater processing by controlling vibration, minimizing misalignment and reducing maintenance costs, the coupling failures resulted in unacceptable levels of maintenance and downtime.

Solution

T.B. Wood’s supplied DuraFlex® couplings featuring elastomeric material that is specially formulated to stand up to UV radiation. The polyurethane material provides superior chemical, dynamic and weathering properties, and upon installation, the treatment plant quickly saw improvements in operation and maintenance. The plant operators also found the lightweight couplings were easy to install, with no need to remove hubs during replacement due to the convenient split construction of the units. They found the couplings were ideal to handle the high shock loads and constant 24/7/365 operation in the tough outdoor environment. The customer also appreciated that there was no need for lubrication or realignment of the couplings.

Highlights 

• UV radiation resistant
• Long service life / low maintenance
• Easy to install and inspect