Voith Turbo meets the challenges of manufacturing safe, environmentally friendly products and Voith water-operated turbo couplings comply with ISO 140001 environmental specifications to meet international demands for environmental protection and safety in mining and industrial operations.
(Seen here: Voith's hydrodynamic eco-friendly coupling).
"We are world leaders in Hydrodynamic coupling technology and Voith Water couplings present customers with all the advantages of oil filled couplings and more" says Voith Product Manager - Start-up Components, Hans Voshol. The ISO compliance, combined with some ingenious design features, means that Voith water couplings ensure substantially improved energy efficiency.
Voshol explains: "Voith water couplings can deliver higher output because the density of water is higher than that of other fluids. Because water's specific heat capacity is double that of oil, water-operated couplings allow more stop starts and the couplings' lower slip reduces temperatures. Another advantage is the environmentally friendly and convenient use of drinking water which is generally freely available at any plant and easier to transport (Eco friendly), as an operating medium. Hans also points to the added benefit offered by eliminating the stocking of oil and it removes the risks of oil spills and using the incorrect grade of oil.
Advantages unique to the hydrodynamic couplings include:
• Smooth acceleration of heavy masses.
• Use of standard asynchronous motors.
• Motor over dimensioning is not necessary.
• Torque limitation during start-up.
• Effective damping of shocks and vibrations.
• Overload protection for motor and driven machine.
• Load compensation for multi-motor drives.
• Relieved motor start and run-up.
Hydrodynamic couplings are used mainly in belt conveyors, armoured face conveyors (AFCs), fans, centrifuges, wood chippers, mills and pumps etc. "Water-operated couplings have been operating specifically on underground AFC drives for many years. Operating at the coal face, these drives demand intrinsic safety - a criterion that Voith water-operated turbo couplings always meet with utmost confidence,"comments Voshol.
Hans says that one of South Africa's leading coal mines has standardised on Voith Hydrodynamic water couplings thanks to successful, efficient and failure-free operation for many years. "The water couplings can be retrofitted to any existing application or installation as sizes are the same as those of oil couplings. The numerous advantages offered by Voith water-operated turbo couplings far outweigh initial purchase costs for total cost of ownership," he concludes.
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