What Is Dredging and What Kind Of Equipment Is Used For It?

Dredging is a process that has been around for centuries, used to improve navigation and reclaim the land. But what is dredging, exactly? Dredging is the removal of sediment and debris from the bottom of a waterway. This can be done for a variety of reasons, and with a variety of equipment, depending on the size and depth of the waterway.

This article will take a look at the most important things you should know about big-scale dredging and what kind of equipment is used for it.

Dredging is often done to improve navigation, by removing sediment and debris that can make it difficult for boats to travel. This can be done on a small scale, such as clearing out a channel for a boat, or on a large scale, such as dredging an entire river.

Another reason dredging is done is to reclaim the land that has been lost to erosion or rising water levels. Again, this can be done by dredging sediment and debris from the bottom of a waterway and using it to build up the land around it.

Additionally, this process can also be done for environmental reasons, such as to remove pollutants from the waterway. For instance, dredging can be used to remove harmful algae blooms or to clean up an oil spill.

Depending on the reason for dredging, there are two main ways that dredging can be done - mechanically and hydraulically.

Mechanical dredging is the most common type of dredging and involves using a piece of equipment, such as a dredge, to dig up sediment and debris from the bottom of a waterway. The material is then typically placed in a barge or dump truck and taken away.

On the other hand, hydraulic dredging uses high-pressure water to blast sediment and debris from the bottom of a waterway. The material is then typically sucked up by a vacuum and removed. A patented Eddy Pump is one type of equipment used for hydraulic dredging. It works by using the principles of hydraulics to create a powerful suction that can dredge up large amounts of sediment and debris.

There are many different types of dredges and other equipment that can be used for dredging, depending on the size and depth of the waterway. Some of the most common types of dredges include cutter suction dredges, bucket dredges, and dragline dredges.

Cutter suction dredges are the most common type of dredge and are typically used in shallow waters. They work by using a rotating cutter to dig up sediment and debris, which is then sucked up by a powerful pump and removed from the waterway.

Bucket dredges are another type of dredge that can be used in deeper waters. They work by using a bucket to scoop up sediment and debris, which is then dumped into a barge or dump truck and removed from the waterway.

Dragline dredges are typically used in very deep waters and involve using a large crane to lower a dragline bucket into the water. The bucket is then used to scoop up sediment and debris, which is brought to the surface and removed.

Dredging pumps are specialized pumps that are designed to handle the abrasive and corrosive nature of the dredged material. They work by using a series of impellers to create a high-pressure water stream that can blast through sediment and debris.

Some of the most common types of dredging pumps include centrifugal pumps, submersible pumps, and diaphragm pumps.

Centrifugal pumps are the most common type of dredging pump and work by using a series of vanes to create a rotating water stream. The vortex created by the rotating vanes sucks up sediment and debris and propels it out of the pump.

Submersible pumps work by using a series of impellers to create a high-pressure water stream that is directed downwards. This downward force allows the pump to suck up sediment and debris from the bottom of a waterway.

Diaphragm pumps work by using a series of membranes to create a reciprocating motion that sucks up sediment and debris. However, they are not as common as other types of dredging pumps because they can be most damaged by the abrasive nature of the dredged material.

In addition to dredges and pumps, there is a variety of other equipment that is needed for the dredging process, such as barges, cranes, and excavators.

Barges are typically used to transport the dredged material from the worksite to a dump site. They come in a variety of sizes, from small barges that can be towed by a boat to large barges that require their tugboat.

Cranes are typically used to lower dredges and pumps into the water. Small cranes can be mounted on a barge while large ones are used on dry land in most cases.

And finally, excavators are typically used to dig up sediment and debris from the bottom of a waterway. These can especially be helpful in cases where the sediment is too deep for a dredge to reach.

Dredging is a process of removal, either by suction or by rotating blades that cut through the debris and then deposit it into a barge or other container. There are many different types of dredges and pumps used for dredging, depending on the size and depth of the waterway. Dredging can be done for various reasons, such as to improve navigation or to reclaim the land.