Dredging Equipment Guide for Efficient Project Execution

Key Components of Dredge Equipment

Effective dredging relies on the interplay of several key components:

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• Dredge Pumps:

Central to dredging operations, these pumps transfer deposits through pipe channels efficiently. They can be customized for high-capacity needs or precise applications.

• Cutter Heads:

These tools break apart dense or compact materials such as clay, rock, or tightly packed residues, enabling easier sediment removal.

• Hoses and Pipes:

These are essential for transporting dredged material to disposal or processing sites. They form the backbone of dredging operations. The discharge pipeline is particularly important for transporting these materials efficiently.

• Floatation Devices:

Ensure that hoses and pipes remain buoyant, reducing operational disruptions and improving material transfer efficiency.

• Control Systems:

Modern dredging systems feature advanced control panels that enable operators to monitor and adjust operations, optimizing efficiency and precision.

Categories of Dredging Equipment

Dredge equipment is categorized based on its size, functionality, and intended use:

• Portable Dredgers:

These compact and user-friendly machines are ideal for small-scale projects such as pond or lake dredging. Their portability allows them to be used in remote or hard-to-reach areas.

• Cutter Suction Dredgers (CSDs):

CSDs, equipped with cutter heads, are designed for heavy-duty tasks involving tough materials. They are commonly used in large-scale dredging projects.

• Hopper Dredgers:

These self-contained vessels are optimized for high-capacity operations, such as offshore sand dredging. Their onboard hoppers simplify material shifting and disposal.

• Hydraulic Dredgers:

Hydraulic dredgers operate using pressurized water to move and transfer dredged material in a slurry form. They are cost-effective and environmentally friendly for various projects, especially when compared to mechanical dredgers.

• Mechanical Dredgers:

Mechanical dredgers use heavy equipment like buckets and clamshells to scoop materials from the waterbed. They are effective in handling heavier residues and are commonly used for deepening waterways for navigation and flood control.

Dredging Equipment Types

Dredging equipment is designed to remove residues, debris, gravel, and other matters from water bodies. The type of equipment used depends on the specific application, water wastes, and material being removed. Understanding the different types of dredging equipment can help you choose the right tools for your project, ensuring efficient and effective sediment removal.

Cutter Suction Dredger

A cutter suction dredger is a powerful piece of equipment used in dredging that uses a rotating cutter head to loosen and remove dregs and other wastes from the bottom of a water reservoir or tank. The cutter head is typically mounted on a suction pipe, which creates a vacuum to draw the loosened material up into the dredger. This type of dredger is highly effective for dredging projects in rivers, harbors, and coastal areas where the residue is compact or contains large rocks. The cutter head’s ability to break apart dense materials makes it an ideal choice for projects requiring precise and thorough sediment removal.

Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger

A trailing suction hopper dredger is another versatile type of dredging equipment that uses a suction pipe to remove dregs, high solids, sludge, and other wastes from the bottom of a water tank or reservoir. The suction pipe is typically mounted on a hopper dredger, which is a self-propelled vessel capable of moving around the water body to collect the dredged material. Once the material is collected, it is stored in the vessel’s hopper for shifting to a disposal site. Trailing suction hopper dredgers are commonly used for dredging projects in coastal areas and harbors, where they can efficiently handle large volumes of dredged material. Their mobility and storage capacity make them ideal for projects that require extensive deposit removal over large areas.

Dredge Pumps and Suction Systems

Dredge pumps and suction systems are critical components of equipment. They play a vital role in the dredging process by removing the residues and other materials from the bottom of a water tank and transporting them to a discharge pipe channel or other location. Understanding how these systems work and their importance can help you optimize your dredging operations.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Pond Dredging Equipment

Understanding Project Scope

Choosing the right pond dredging equipment starts with a detailed assessment of the project’s scope. Several factors influence the decision, including:

• Depth: The equipment must reach the required depth to remove accumulated materials from the pond effectively. Specialized equipment used in pond dredging is designed for varying depths, from shallow to deep.
• Sediment Type: Different sediments—such as silt, clay, or sand—require specific types of pond dredging equipment to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
• Volume: The amount of residue to be removed directly impacts the selection of equipment in pond dredging, particularly regarding pump capacity and operational duration. High-volume projects may require heavy-duty machines. A self-priming pump can be effective for dregs removal but may need additional systems like agitator water jets to enhance its effectiveness.

Importance of Portability

Portability is a crucial factor when selecting barge or pond dredging equipment, especially for small-scale or remote projects. Portable dredgers are designed to be lightweight and easy to transport, making them perfect for ponds located in hard-to-access areas. Their compact size and user-friendly setup reduce downtime and enhance efficiency. Portable dredging equipment is particularly beneficial for:

• Small-scale Projects: Compact machines are ideal for minor residue removal tasks.
• Remote Locations: The portability of this pond or river dredging equipment allows it to be transferred and deployed in areas with limited access, such as rural or isolated ponds.

Case Studies

The effectiveness of selecting appropriate pond dredging equipment can be demonstrated through real-world scenarios:

Case Study 1: Restoring a Decorative Pond

A residential community faced significant sediment or gravel buildup in a decorative pond, reducing its visual appeal and water clarity. The project team used portable pond dredging equipment with a high-efficiency pump to remove 800 cubic yards of silt in just two days. The results were transformative, restoring the pond’s depth and aesthetic quality while minimizing disruption to the community.

Case Study 2: Irrigation Pond Maintenance

In an agricultural region, dregs accumulation in irrigation ponds reduces water storage capacity, threatening irrigation efficiency. Specialized pond or river dredging equipment was deployed to clear the sediment and restore full pond capacity. This equipment not only improved water availability but also enhanced irrigation systems, benefiting local farmers and supporting agricultural productivity.

Other Key Considerations

In addition to scope and portability, the environmental impact of pond dredging equipment is a vital consideration. Modern equipment often includes eco-friendly features to minimize disruption to aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, advanced control systems enable precise dredging, reducing waste and enhancing overall efficiency.

Benefits of the Right Pond Dredging Equipment

Selecting the proper pond dredging equipment ensures the removal of sediment, improves water clarity, and restores pond functionality. The right equipment can also reduce project costs by increasing operational efficiency and minimizing downtime.

Whether it’s for decorative ponds, irrigation reservoirs, or recreational water bodies, pond dredging equipment plays a pivotal role in maintaining the health and usability of these water resources. By evaluating factors like residue type, volume, depth, and portability, project managers can choose pond dredging equipment that meets their specific requirements, ensuring long-term benefits for the pond and its users.

Specialized Sand Dredging Equipment

Challenges of Sand Dredging

Sand dredging presents unique challenges that demand the use of specialized sand dredging equipment to ensure both efficiency and durability. Specialized equipment is essential for addressing the unique challenges of sand dredging, as it efficiently removes undesirable gravel and contaminants from water bodies.

• Abrasion Resistance

Sand’s abrasive nature can cause significant wear and tear on pumps, pipes, and other components. High-quality sand dredging equipment with abrasion-resistant substances is essential for minimizing damage and prolonging the equipment’s lifespan.

• High Volumes

Sand dredging often involves removing and transporting large quantities of sand. This requires equipment with high-capacity pumps capable of effectively handling substantial workloads.

• Pumping Distance

Transporting sand over long distances requires powerful pumps. In some cases, booster stations are integrated into the sand dredging equipment to maintain optimal flow rates.

Choosing the Right Sand Dredging Equipment

Selecting the most suitable sand dredging equipment for a project is critical for its success. Important factors to consider include:

• Pump Capacity

The pump’s flow rate must match the project’s scale. High-capacity pumps are a hallmark of effective sand dredging equipment, ensuring that material can be dredged and transported efficiently.

• Material Construction

Components such as pumps and pipelines made from abrasion-resistant alloys are a vital feature of reliable sand dredging equipment, offering durability against sand’s abrasive nature.

• Operational Efficiency

Modern sand dredging equipment is designed with advanced automation systems, reducing energy consumption and operational costs while enhancing overall productivity.

Technology Advancements in Sand Dredging Equipment

Innovative technologies have significantly enhanced the capabilities of sand dredging equipment, addressing traditional challenges and improving operational performance:

• Automation

Automated systems integrated into sand dredging equipment streamline operations, improving precision and reducing the need for manual intervention. This enhances efficiency and minimizes downtime. Compared to other methods of slurry or sediment removal, such as muck removal pellets, modern dredging equipment operates at a much faster and more effective pace.

• GPS and Sonar Integration

Advanced sand dredging equipment now includes GPS and sonar technologies, which allow operators to pinpoint sand deposits accurately. These features improve precision, reduce material waste, and minimize environmental disruption.

• Eco-Friendly Designs

Sustainability is a growing focus in modern sand dredging equipment, with features such as low-emission engines and energy-efficient systems. These designs help meet environmental standards while protecting aquatic habitats.

Benefits of Specialized Sand Dredging Equipment

There are numerous advantages to investing in specialized sand dredging equipment. High-capacity pumps and durable materials ensure that the equipment can easily handle abrasive, high-volume tasks. Automation and GPS integration improve precision, reduce waste, and increase the overall efficiency of dredging operations.

Sand dredging equipment ensures projects are completed efficiently and cost-effectively by addressing challenges such as abrasion, large volumes, and long pumping distances. Furthermore, the incorporation of eco-friendly technologies makes modern sand dredging equipment a sustainable choice for large-scale sand extraction projects. As technology continues to evolve, the capabilities of sand dredging equipment will only expand, offering even greater efficiency and durability for demanding dredging tasks.Specialized sand dredging equipment is essential for achieving high-quality, sustainable results in mining, land reclamation, and waterway clearing.

Maintenance and Longevity of Dredging Equipment

Proper maintenance is crucial to maximizing the performance, efficiency, and longevity of dredge equipment. Whether you are working with pond dredging equipment for small-scale projects or heavy-duty sand dredging equipment for larger operations, regular care ensures that your machinery remains reliable and cost-effective.

Routine Maintenance Practices

To extend the lifespan of your dredge equipment, follow these essential maintenance steps:

Regular Inspections

Inspect all components of your dredging equipment frequently, paying close attention to high-wear parts like dredge pumps, cutter heads, and pipelines. Early detection of wear or damage can prevent costly breakdowns and ensure uninterrupted operations.

Thorough Cleaning

After every operation, clean your pond dredging equipment or sand dredging equipment to remove slurry, sediment, debris, mud, and moisture. This practice prevents clogs, corrosion, and the buildup of harmful materials that can reduce efficiency.

Lubrication of Moving Parts

Regular lubrication of moving components minimizes friction and reduces wear. Use manufacturer-recommended lubricants to ensure optimal performance. Proper lubrication is especially vital for sand dredging equipment, which often operates in abrasive environments.

Tightening Connections

Inspect and secure all connections, including hoses and pipes, to avoid leaks or operational disruptions. Check the stability of flotation devices and other auxiliary components.

Identifying Wear and Tear

Recognizing the early signs of wear in your dredge equipment is essential for preventing extensive damage:

• Reduced Pump Efficiency: A decline in flow rate or pump performance can indicate clogging, wear, or internal damage.
• Visible Damage: Cracks, fraying, or leaks in hoses, pipes, and other components are clear signs that the dredge equipment needs attention.
• Unusual Vibrations or Noise: Abnormal vibrations or sounds during operation may signal misaligned components or worn bearings.

Benefits of Regular Servicing

Routine maintenance of pond dredging equipment and sand dredging equipment provides several key benefits:

• Prolonged Equipment Life: Preventative maintenance reduces the likelihood of major breakdowns, extending the lifespan of your dredge equipment.
• Improved Efficiency: Well-maintained dredge equipment operates at peak efficiency, ensuring projects are completed faster and with better results.
• Cost Savings: Regular care minimizes repair expenses and operational downtime, lowering overall costs.

Specialized Considerations for Different Equipment

• For pond dredging equipment, lightweight and portable machines require frequent checks to ensure their components remain intact during transport and operation. Proper cleaning after sediment removal helps maintain their efficiency for small-scale projects.Sand dredging equipment often handles abrasive materials, so abrasion-resistant parts such as pumps and pipelines require additional attention. Routine servicing ensures these components can withstand the harsh conditions of high-volume operations. Additionally, this equipment is crucial for reclaiming land from the sea and creating navigable waterways, utilizing both hydraulic and mechanical dredging methods.

Importance of a Maintenance Schedule

Establishing a maintenance schedule tailored to your dredge equipment is a smart way to ensure consistent care. This schedule should include daily, weekly, and monthly tasks, as well as annual servicing by professionals to address more complex issues.

By prioritizing maintenance, operators of dredge equipment—whether pond dredging equipment or sand dredging equipment—can maximize productivity, reduce operational costs, and extend the life of their investment. Regular care not only keeps the right equipment running smoothly but also protects the environment by minimizing risks such as leaks or inefficient operations. Proper maintenance is the key to long-term success in any dredging project.

Conclusion

Choosing the right dredge gear is key to a successful project. Whether you need pond dredge gear to clear small water bodies or sand dredge gear for large material extraction, choosing the right gear means optimal performance and cost savings. We have various dredges, including mechanical, hydraulic, and hopper dredges, to suit different projects. Knowing your project scope – sediment, volume, and operational requirements and using advanced technology will give you maximum productivity with minimal downtime and costs.

DAE Pumps has a full range of high-quality dredge gear to suit various projects. Our range includes portable pond dredge gear for small-scale applications and heavy-duty, abrasion-resistant sand dredge gear for tough operations. With innovative design and reliable performance, our dredge gear will get the job done for any size project. Contact us today to learn more about our dredging gear and get started with your project.

FAQs: 

1. What types of dredging applications are DAE pumps used for?

DAE dredge pumps are commonly used for sand and gravel extraction, river maintenance, mining operations, harbor deepening, and environmental cleanup projects. Their equipment handles everything from fine sediments to heavy slurry mixtures.

2. What makes DAE dredge pumps different from standard pumps?

DAE pumps are specifically engineered with heavy-duty materials like high-chrome alloys to withstand abrasive slurries. They feature optimized impeller designs for maximum solids handling and efficiency in demanding dredging conditions.

3. How long do dredge pumps typically last?

With proper maintenance, DAE dredge pumps can last 5-10 years or more. Lifespan depends on factors like slurry abrasiveness, operating hours, and maintenance schedules. Critical wear parts like impellers and liners may need replacement more frequently.

4. Can DAE provide complete dredging systems?

Yes, DAE offers complete dredging packages including pumps, power units, pipelines, and support equipment. They can customize systems for specific project requirements like barge mounting or remote operation.

5. What support services does DAE offer with their dredging equipment?

DAE provides installation guidance, operational training, maintenance programs, and 24/7 technical support. They also offer wear part replacements and pump refurbishment services to maximize equipment uptime.

A Guide to the 9 Types of Mining Hose

Selecting the right mining hose for the job can be confusing. In this article, we cover nine common types of mining hose and their typical applications to help you make the right choice for your site—and there’s a handy reference guide at the end.

We discuss:

Hard-wall Suction Hose

Soft-wall discharge hose

Pre-formed bend hose

Super flexible mining hose

Eccentric/concentric reducer hose

Y-piece mining hose

For more information, please visit dredge hoses.

Hard-wall Dredge Hose with floats

Self-floating dredge hose

Trunnion or ladder hose

1. Hard-wall suction hose

Hard-wall suction hose is a flexible, straight length rubber mining hose. It has a high-tensile steel wire helix to ensure the hose isn’t sucked flat in vacuum applications. The hose also has a polyester fabric reinforcement to handle high internal pressures.

This type of hose is often used for the pumping and transfer of abrasive slurry under pressure or vacuum. That includes mineral processing, high pressure tailings pipelines, gravel transfer, dewatering, and general material handling.

The hose has excellent tear resistance and tensile strength properties. It also has high abrasion resistance properties and typically operates in temperatures ranging from -30°C to +75°C. There are also different liner options such as synthetic rubber (for high temperature or acidic slurry) or ceramic tiles (for severe service).

Hard wall suction hose has a minimum bend radius of 6-8D. For a more flexible option, consider a pre-formed bend or a super flexible mining hose.

2. Soft-wall discharge hose

Soft-wall discharge hose (also known as ‘lay flat’ type hose) is like hard-wall mining hose but for discharge applications only.

The main design difference between the two is that soft-wall hose doesn’t have a rigid wire helix. Instead of this, it has a spring wire reinforcing layer. This makes the hose more flexible when not under pressure, so it’s easier to move from location to location.

It is often used to transport slurry, water, sand, and gravel in mineral processing plants on discharge and tailings lines. It is also suitable for chemical, acid, and hydrocarbon transfer.

Despite the flexibility of soft-wall hose, it has a minimum bend radius of 10D, so it’s best for installation on straight or sweeping bends.

3. Pre-formed bend hose

If you need a hose with a specific angle or bend radius of less than 5D, then pre-formed bend hose is the way to go. It has the same properties as conventional mining hose but is manufactured as a pre-formed bend to your specified angle and radius.

Depending on factors like the hose diameter and materials, it can be manufactured with bends down to a minimum bend radius of 1D. This allows for greater design freedom when arranging complex pipe layouts. To further improve wear life, the wear liner on the elbow’s outer arc can be made at least 50% thicker than the wear liner on the inner arc.

Pre-formed bends are most commonly used in abrasive applications in mineral processing plants, tailings pipelines, dredging, and dewatering.

4. Super flexible mining hose

Super flexible mining hose is a specially designed hard-wall mining hose with a smaller minimum bend radius than conventional hose. Depending on factors like the material and nominal diameter, the hose has a bend radius of 4–7D.

You can use it in similar applications to hard-wall and soft-wall mining hose. It’s best suited for tight or complex geometry or where there’s significant pipe misalignment or movement.

5. Eccentric/concentric reducer hose

Reducer hose is a short-length mining hose with different sized end diameters. Typically, you would use it in slurry pump set-ups to connect larger diameter pipelines to smaller diameter pumps.

The hose is available in two types: eccentric and concentric. Eccentric-type reducers are contoured so their end diameters are on different axes. Concentric hose ends are on the same axis.

Reducer hose is customisable to meet most specifications including size, flange, and liner type.

6. Y-piece mining hose

Shaped like a ‘Y’, Y-piece mining hose connects one pipeline to two other pipelines to simplify the system by reducing the total number of hoses. It has some flexibility but is usually manufactured as a straight-line pipe.

Y-piece hose is often used with a suction pump to divert material into two different hoses, or to combine material from two hoses into one. You can use it with most abrasive materials, such as abrasive slurries, sand, and gravel.

7. Hard-wall dredge hose

Hard-wall dredge hose is specially designed for dredging applications. It can handle highly abrasive dredging fluids and has increased reinforcing against external punctures, cutting, or abrasions.

Its hard-wall construction makes it ideal for suction applications. For dredging, you can use it with poly floats (floats that fit to your hose’s outside diameter) to prevent snagging and other hazards. The floats are an optional extra and are fitted separately.

8. Self-floating dredge hose

Unlike hard-wall dredge hose, self-floating dredge hose has built-in high-density foam. This makes it an ideal choice for most dredging applications as it doesn’t need additional floats.

It can be reinforced with wire for suction applications or soft-walled for discharge. The soft-wall design is more flexible and helps prevent flexural stresses, such as kinking when hoses are located close to the dredge unit.

9. Trunnion or ladder hose

Instead of a helix-shaped wire like other suction hoses, trunnion (or ladder) hose has steel rings. This gives it maximum flexibility under vacuum conditions and caters for high loads upon flexing.

Trunnion hose is commonly used for cutter dredging as it can handle highly abrasive fluids, such as freshly cut dredged fluid with undissolved sediment. The extra reinforcement also gives added resistance to external cuts and abrasions.

Trunnion hose is suitable for discharge applications as well.

Mining hose for every application

There are lots of options when selecting mining hose for your site’s requirements. You have the choice of a variety of specifications such as wear liners, reinforcements, size, application, and connection types.

If you aren’t sure which mining hose to select for your application, give us a call. We’ll help you choose the right option and ensure it’s the right hose for the job.

Reference Guide: 9 Mining Hose Types

7.4.1: Dredging or Dredge Mining

7.4.1: Dredging or Dredge Mining

A dredge is the principal piece of equipment used in the dredging method and, essentially, a dredge is a boat containing specialized mining and materials handling components. Accordingly, a dredge requires a body of water in which to operate. In many cases, this is a natural body of water such as a river or a lake, but in others, it is a manmade pond or small lake. Of course, the only reason for floating a dredge is to recover something of value at the bottom of this body of water. We need to add one more condition, and that is: the material of value on the bottom must be unconsolidated, such as sand and gravel, or it must be very soft. Simplistically, the dredge is designed to lift these materials of interest from the bottom up into the dredge. Shortly, we will look at how the payload is moved in a little more detail, but for now, let’s talk for a moment about the kinds of materials that are typically recovered with this method, dredging or dredge mining.

The bottom of rivers, lakes, and harbors is often a good source of gravel. Gravel can be used sometimes in concrete as well as for a variety of other purposes such as architectural and landscaping purposes. Dredging to remove this material has the additional benefit of deepening the channel or harbor, and sometimes that is the primary purpose of dredging, and the recovery of minerals is a secondary benefit… the “icing on the cake,” so to speak!

Glaciers once covered a significant portion of the Earth’s surface, and the movement of these glaciers created extensive unconsolidated deposits of materials containing not only sand and gravel, but gold, tin, diamonds, and other heavy minerals. These alluvial deposits created by glaciation, are also known as placers. I mention this here because you will sometimes hear or read about placer mining or alluvial mining. Although these terms may be used interchangeably with dredging or dredge mining, you can’t assume that to be true in all cases. As we will see, hydraulic mining may be used in these deposits as well. Regardless, if we have a body of water covering a placer deposit, we will consider strongly using dredge to recover the minerals of interest.

Moreover, if we have such a deposit that is not underwater, but is in an area that could be easily flooded, we will consider making our own lake and then using a dredge to recover the bottom materials. If the deposit is in an area with a very shallow water table, we may simply have to remove several feet of overburden, e.g., vegetation and soil, and the excavated area will fill with water on its own. Then, we can float the dredge and mine the deposit. There are other circumstances where we could create a manmade lake to mine the deposit, but it a complicated process, because we cannot take any action that could have an adverse environmental impact.

Let’s talk a bit more about the dredge itself. A dredge is defined by the way in which it recovers the ore from the bottom. The four types are bucket-wheel, ladder, clamshell, and suction. The choice will depend on the depth of the deposit below the surface of the water and the degree of consolidation of the deposit. The size of the dredge will depend on the desired production rate and the characteristics of the body of water, e.g., depth and extent. Let’s start by looking at a picture of a dredge.

Figure 7.4.1: Bucket wheel dredge

Source: Alibaba

This is a large dredge, and specifically, it is a bucket-wheel dredge. You can see the bucket wheel on the left side of the picture. The bucket wheel rotates, digging into the soft material at the bottom. The dug or “mined’ material is then transfer onto the dredge. Typically, some sort of a gravity separation is employed to segregate the material of interest from the silt, mud, and other detritus of no interest. The latter is then immediately returned to the water.

The bucket-ladder dredge is probably the most common type of dredge, as it is the most flexible method for dredging under varying conditions. The excavation equipment consists of an endless chain of open buckets that travel around a truss or “ladder.” The lower end of the ladder rests on the mine face—that is, the bottom of the water where excavation takes place—and the top end is located near the center of the dredge. The chain of buckets passes around the upper end of the ladder at a drive sprocket and loops downward to an idler sprocket at the bottom. The filled buckets, supported by rollers, are pulled up the ladder and dump their load into a hopper that feeds the separation plant on the dredge. After the valuable material has been removed, the waste is dumped off the back end of the dredge. Here is a picture of a bucket-ladder dredge, which gives a clear front view of the bucket ladder.

Figure 7.4.2: Ladder dredge

Source: DredgePoint

Here is a view of a bucket-ladder dredge used to mine phosphate.

Figure 7.4.3: Bucket-ladder dredge

Credit: K. Hutton, © Penn State University, is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

And here is that same dredge in a photo taken from a distance.

Figure 7.4.4: Note the slurry pipe running to the bank

Credit: K. Hutton, © Penn State University, is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Finally, here a view from the operator's cab of that dredge. Notice the computer displays providing not only video images of different parts of the dredge but also sensor data that the operator can use to better control the operation of the dredge.

Figure 7.4.5: From the operator's cabin

Credit: K. Hutton, © Penn State University, is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

The clamshell dredge, unlike the previous two, employs a batch rather than continuous process. This type of dredge utilizes a clamshell bucket that is dropped to the bottom, scoops a bucket of material, and is hoisted back to the dredge where the bucket is dumped. This dredge can operate in deeper water than other systems and handles large material, e.g., larger rocks, well. A typical cycle time would be on the order of one minute, depending on the depth of the water. You understand the drawback of batch or discontinuous systems, and consequently, this style of dredge would only be used when its unique strengths are necessary. A typical clamshell dredge is shown here. Note the ability of this style dredge to place its payload on the dredge or on a nearby barge or structure.

Figure 7.4.6: Subsea clamshell dredge

Source: IP SubSea.com

The fourth type of dredge is a hydraulic dredge. Imagine a big vacuum cleaner with a long hose – the hose is dropped to the bottom, the “vacuum” is turned on, and the material is literally sucked up the hose and captured on the dredge. Basic physics limits the amount of “lift” that can be achieved. However, the amount of lift can be supplemented with a high-pressure spray around the suction nozzle – essentially a push-pull system. This is known as hydrojet assistance. This style of dredge is suited to digging relatively small-sized and loose material such as sand and gravel, marine shell deposits, mill tailings, and unconsolidated overburden. Hydraulic dredging has also been applied to the mining of deposits containing diamonds, tin, tungsten, niobium-tantalum, titanium, and monazite. This figure diagrammatically illustrates the use of a suction dredge. Note that the use of a hydraulic pipeline to move material off the dredge is often associated with the use of this type of dredge. 

This picture shows a very small suction dredge, which might be used to clear a tailings pond, for example.

Choosing the Correct Hydraulic Dredge

Choosing the Correct Hydraulic Dredge: Some questions that
you may want to answer include the following:

1.) What is the nature of the material that needs to be dredged? Different dredges are designed to handle various materials, such as sand, clay, silt, or rock. Determining the nature of the material can help you choose a dredge with the appropriate capabilities.

2.) What is the depth and width of the area that needs to be dredged? The size of the dredge you need will depend on the size of the area that needs to be dredged. Larger dredges may be more expensive, but they can also be more efficient if you have a large area to dredge.

3.) What is the distance the dredged material needs to be transported? The distance the dredged material needs to be hauled will affect the size and power of the dredge you need. Longer lengths may require a larger or more powerful dredge to ensure the material can be transported efficiently.

4.) What is the available power source? Different dredges may require other power sources, such as electricity, diesel, or hydraulic power. You will need to consider the power source available on your project site to determine the most suitable dredge.

5.) What is the budget for the project? The cost of the dredge will be an essential factor in your decision. Determine your budget for the project and look for a dredge that meets your needs within that budget.

6.) What are the environmental concerns for the project? Dredging projects can negatively impact the environment by disrupting aquatic habitats or releasing pollutants into the water. Careful planning and mitigation measures can help minimize these impacts.

You can help determine the best hydraulic dredge for your project by answering these questions and considering these factors.

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