OPW Engineered Systems
Epsilon dry-disconnect couplings (photo) are designed for use in critical in-plant and chemical-transfer applications in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Examples of volatile, hazardous or high-value pharmaceutical compounds whose transfer can benefit from the use of Epsilon disconnects include dichloromethane, toluene, ammonia and pharmaceutical slurries. Epsilon products utilize ball valves rather than poppets to facilitate the opening and closing of the coupling, which allows a convex ball to seat with a concave ball when the valve is opened, producing a straight-through flow path that creates no areas where chemicals can nest. The result is fluid transfer that experiences no reduction in flowrate while virtually eliminating the occurrence of product spills when the coupling is disconnected. A series of five independent and redundant mechanical locks also prevents the Epsilon coupling from becoming accidentally disconnected, which removes the threat of unintentional spills and releases. Epsilon couplings are constructed of 316 stainless steel or Hastelloy, and are available in sizes ranging from¾ to 3 in. — OPW Engineered Systems, Hamilton, Ohio