Mechanical Rotating Solutions Secures Major Straub Couplings Order for Mpumalanga Coal Processing Plant

Mechanical Rotating Solutions (MRS) has successfully delivered and installed a significant order of Straub Pipe Couplings at a coal processing facility in Mpumalanga, marking another milestone in the company’s ongoing support of South Africa’s mining sector.

The order, comprising 18 Straub Open-Flex 3 couplings, was supplied for use on suction and discharge pipelines ranging from 219 mm to 711.2 mm in diameter. The plant processes coal/magnetite slurry with a specific gravity of 1.6, a highly abrasive medium that demands reliable and durable piping solutions.

The selected Straub Open-Flex 3 couplings were specified for their ability to:

• Bridge pipe gaps of 30 mm to 60 mm,
• Compensate for up to 5 mm pipe misalignment, and
• Deliver a leak-tight, maintenance-free seal in both suction and discharge conditions.

By eliminating the need for welding or special pipe-end preparation, the couplings offered the mine a rapid installation process, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuity of production.

Straub couplings are renowned globally for their robust design and versatility. Their progressive sealing effect ensures that gasket performance strengthens as line pressure increases, while their stainless-steel construction offers excellent resistance to both corrosion and abrasion.

Key benefits of the installation include:

• Reduced downtime: Installation required only a torque wrench, significantly cutting assembly time compared to welded joints.
• Maintenance-free operation: Couplings are detachable, reusable, and require no retightening throughout their lifecycle.
• Operational safety: With no welding or hot work required, installation was safer and more cost-efficient.

For the Mpumalanga coal processing plant, the choice of Straub couplings means increased reliability in a harsh environment. The Open-Flex design also allows for in-service pipeline repairs of leaks or pitting, avoiding costly shutdowns.

“MRS is proud to have delivered this solution to one of Mpumalanga’s key coal processing facilities,” said Franscois Steenkamp, MD at Mechanical Rotating Solutions. “The use of Straub couplings once again demonstrates our ability to provide engineered solutions that reduce downtime, improve reliability, and add long-term value to mining operations.”

Mechanical Rotating Solutions (MRS) is a leading provider of engineered mechanical and rotating equipment solutions across South Africa’s mining, industrial, and processing industries. With a focus on reducing downtime and extending the lifecycle of critical equipment, MRS partners with global technology leaders to bring innovative and reliable solutions to the African market.