Within ten years, we had to repair over a hundred gas lines from compression or elongation failures due to settlement. We used flex line at gas wells and valve stations to aid in stopping settlement failures, but we would see failures with degradation due to UV, condensate, leachate exposure and settlement.

After all those years of repairing landfill gas lines and looking for some type of repair for these constant failures, I started working on a solution. My first thought was that the repair needed to be simple, something anyone can install. Most importantly, the device needs to allow for large amounts of movement and still maintain a water and pressure tight seal. My first design turned out to be too complicated. My second design resulted in the Voelker EC Coupler.

My first EC Coupler was installed on an above-ground gas line. This way I could watch and monitor the performance. With the help of the sun I started seeing thermal expansion in the pipe immediately. With the success of the above-ground EC Coupler, one was placed in the ground below grade. Now, with the success of the EC Coupler and the confidence of proven performance, I can offer to you the Voelker EC Slip Coupler, or Voelker EC Coupler for short.

This is patent-pending product that will allow you to rethink what you can do with HDPE pipe: the limitations that once existed are gone. Landfill gas line failures and settlement failures should become things of the past. Engineers can now design gas extraction systems on slopes, fields below grade and design for pipe movement. The Voelker EC Coupler can be used in all types of applications where expansion and contraction are problematic.

You can download a printable specification of the Voelker EC Coupler by clicking here.

To purchase this product, please click here.