1. Drive Motor
Drive motor horsepower is determined based on process load requirements to achieve desired velocity gradient value, plus drive efficiencies, frictional losses and a safety factor. All drive motors include severe duty features.  Insulation upgrades can be provided when using variable frequency drives.

2. Variable Speed Device
Variable speed capabilities allow optimization of the flocculation process. A mechanical variable speed device, as pictured, provides up to a 5:1 speed ratio using a traction disc design. A variable frequency drive (VFD) can be supplied which provides up to a 10:1 speed adjustment, infinitely adjustable in that range. VFD duty motors are required and supplied for this service.

3. Gear Reducer
Gear reducer selection is based on reduction ratio required to achieve desired paddle tip speed as well as input horsepower required to achieve process requirements. The preferred gear reducer gearing design is Helical Bevel. All reducers are provided with severe duty features, which include wash down ability.

4. Drive Linkage
The drive linkage converts the circular motion of the reducer output shaft into linear, reciprocating motion. This linkage consists of a torque arm with shear pin, torque rod with self-aligning rod end bearing and a riser beam.

The torque arm is mounted on the gear reducer output shaft and contains a shear pin sized for the process load. The torque arm moves in a circular motion, at the gearbox output shaft speed, which is based on process requirements.

The torque rod connects the torque arm to the riser beam and moves in a reciprocating direction.

The riser beam is connected to the flocculator line shaft and transfers the reciprocating motion from the torque rod to the flocculator line shaft.

5. Flocculator Line Shafting
Line shafting includes pipe shafts between bearing points and solid bar spool shafts at bearing points. Solid bar and pipe shafts can be provided in various carbon steel and stainless steel grades.

Solid bar and pipe shaft diameters selected are based on process loads, input horsepower, stress and deflection. Carbon steel shafts are provided with an NSF approved paint system.

6. Bearings
Line shaft bearings are sized based on the required shaft diameter. Split bearing design is required for shaft removal. Adjustable bearing base plates are required to achieve proper bearing alignment.

Split cylindrical roller bearings can be supplied and provide self-aligning characteristics, contaminant protection of internals using triple labyrinth seals, and long service life. Grease lubrication is required by means of a packed grease cavity or grease lines. Cooper split cylindrical roller bearings are standard.

Split journal bearings can be supplied and provided with UHMW-PE, bronze or Ryertex liners. No self-aligning features are provided with these bearings. Lubrication may be required.

7. Walking Beams
Walking beams are provided at the required paddle support frame assembly connection points. Size of beam is determined based on process load requirements. Length of beam is determined based on required geometry to achieve process requirements and also to accommodate the plant’s specific basin dimensions.

8. Paddle Assembly
Paddle support frames and drop rods are located as required for paddle blade support. Support frames can be provided in various carbon steel and stainless steel grades. Paddle frame design and drop rod length are determined based on required geometry to achieve process requirements and also to accommodate the plant’s specific basin dimensions.

Fiberglass paddle blades are standard.  Fiberglass paddles reduce ballasting requirements required by redwood. Paddle board area is determined by specific process requirements to achieve desired velocity gradients. Tapered flocculation, perpendicular or parallel to flow, can be provided.