Posted on October 17, 2018
Rotterdam based Dredge Yard has Introduced an Innovative Dredging Solution to its Range in the Form of the Adaptive Auger Head.
The adaptive auger head has two retractable visors on both the front and back side of the auger head which move in and out according to the shape of the seabed and the depth at wgich dredging is taking place. A hydraulic arrangement and pressure settings enable the automatic visor movement.
The adaptive auger head achieves several benefits by following the ground during dredging. The adaptive visor creates a strong suction vacuum which results in more production in less time. There is much less turbidity than with conical (basket) type cutter heads because the adaptive visors control the spillage of dredged materials, a big advantage especially when dredging contaminated soils. The adaptive system saves marine life by protective it from entering into the suction system of the dredger. The system ensures an even surface at all depths. It is suitable for unmanned dredging as the adaptive visors automatically adjust with the ground. This characteristic is advantageous for unmanned dredgers working in areas which may put a human operator at risk.
For remedial or environmental dredging the adaptive auger head supports clean-up operations specifically aimed at removing contaminated sediments as the thinnest possible layers are accurately removed, minimising the quantities of dredged material requiring expensive treatment in secure disposal areas. The adaptive visors also enclose the area being dredged, preventing contaminated sediments from drifting into surrounding waters.
The adaptive auger head will also prove useful for river and canal dredging, water intake cleaning, as well as for harbour and marina dredging.
Dredge Yard is also continuing its programme for building medium and small sized ECO 200 dredgers for stock. These self-propelled dredgers can be equipped with cutter heads, auger heads or a plain suction head. An underwater dredge pump driven by a hydraulic motor and mounted on a rigid bearing assembly and shaft enables a higher pumping flow of mixtures at higher density than would be possible with a pontoon mounted dredge pump.
By late summer Dredge Yard had a 15.5m LOA ECO 200 Auger dredger and a 16.4m LOA ECO 200 Cutter dredger available for immediate delivery from stock.
Source: MaritimeJournal
