A drive system for an apparatus separating hot particles being received by a moving surface includes a drive shaft for driving the moving surface receiving the hot particles, a drive unit for rotating the drive shaft, and a flexible coupling arranged between the drive shaft and the drive unit. The flexible coupling includes thin portions defining a portion of a heat transfer path from the drive shaft to the drive unit. The thin portions have large surface area to volume ratios for extending the heat transfer path. The thin portions dissipate heat when the flexible coupling is driven by the drive unit. A method for dissipating heat from a drive system for an apparatus for separating hot particles includes providing a flexible coupling and dissipating heat from the flexible coupling.