![]() The major work takes place in the preparation and planning, developing an understanding of where the materials will go once they are fluidized by the dredging. In comparison, in hydrodynamic dredging, the water column transports the sediments to where they would have naturally had they been reintroduced. This effort includes some form of bucket, pipeline, hopper, barge, etc., required to transport that material. Much of the cost, time and issues involved in traditional dredging are related to transporting the dredged material to a final disposal location. In short: the technique is less expensive, requires less work and finds environmentally friendly uses for what would otherwise be waste. It requires no disposal site - the material follows the natural hydrodynamic forces and keeps the sediment within the system.Ī. Gravity, currents, normal river flow and other hydrodynamic forces then carry it away. Water is injected into the sediment at low pressure and high volume and fluidizes the sediment near the bottom, leading the sediment to flow with the natural current. Water injection dredging, a type of hydrodynamic dredging, is an elegant solution that uses the water’s natural flow to remove the sediment. This material is placed into a scow or a barge and taken away to be handled again at least once more before it finds its final disposal location. The material is either deposited offshore or in a disposal location where it can be dewatered.Ī bucket is dropped through the water to the bottom sediment to scoop material in mechanical dredging. A heavy dredge plant production involves numerous pumps directing dredged materials through pipes and many miles of pipelines. ![]() In hydraulic dredging, the dredge head spins, dislodging sediment and material, which are partially fluidized and sent through a pipeline to a temporary or long-term placement location. To best understand water injection dredging, it's important to understand traditional hydraulic and mechanical methods. How does water injection dredging work?Ī. In this interview, Wagner, a senior dredging engineer with more than two decades of experience in the field, explains the technique and its possibilities. He’s been involved with the one port that has adopted it in the States - the North Carolina State Port Authority, where he has worked closely with the NCSPA to design, plan, and purchase a custom-built water injection dredging system for use at two NCSPA port facilities (Port of Wilmington and Morehead City) and has advocated nationwide for more widespread use. Our Joe Wagner, P.E., D.NE, BCEE, is a leading proponent of water injection dredging in the United States.
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