Geo Dredging and Dewatering Solutions

2,000 GPM Hydraulically Dredged Sediment Mechanical / Centrifuge Dewatering System: Photo J. Meagher – UMPS

Dredging and Dewatering Approaches

Dredging and dewatering techniques are essential for managing sediment and sludge removal in various aquatic environments, including pits, ponds, lagoons, and water intake structures. Different methods are employed depending on project requirements, such as efficiency, environmental impact, and the specific challenges of the work site.

Hydraulic dredging is commonly used for sediment removal in confined spaces and involves specialized equipment like hydraulic auger-head dredgers, allowing for precise control over sediment removal with minimal turbidity and disruption to the surrounding environment. This technique is particularly effective for capturing contaminated materials, ensuring safe handling and disposal.

Mechanical dredging, on the other hand, typically uses excavators or dredges with buckets or clamshell cranes. While this approach is useful for large, less confirmed areas, it is less efficient for dewatering and can cause high turbidity levels, disrupting the aquatic ecosystem. Frequent repositioning of equipment can also lead to uneven dredging, increasing operational costs.

Water intake dredging focuses on maintaining the efficiency of water intake systems at power plants, factories, and water treatment facilities. Hydraulic vacuum dredging is often employed in these areas to remove sediment without causing damage to the intake structures. This precise method is essential for maintaining unobstructed water flow, which is crucial for operations such as hydroelectric power generation and cooling systems.

After dredging, the removal of sediment can be combined with various dewatering methods, such as geotextile tube dewatering or chemical conditioning, to enhance the separation of water from solids. These techniques help streamline sediment disposal, reduce processing time, and minimize the required space for drying and disposal.

Geotextile tube technology accelerates the dewatering of dredged sediments and materials, simplifying disposal and often reducing associated costs. Coupled with a properly managed chemical conditioning program, it ensures highly efficient, measurable, and repeatable results.

UMPS developed the Smartfeed® chemical conditioning system to optimize Geotube® geotextile tube dewatering projects. This system offers constant monitoring and automatic adjustment of the chemical conditioning process, providing efficient dosing and maximum performance. It also provides exportable reporting, giving stakeholders detailed insights into project performance. Learn how geo dredging and dewatering solutions like SmartFeed™ can benefit your project.