Power Plant Dredging

How Do Hydraulic Dredges Work?

Hydraulic dredges work by fluidizing the sediment into a slurry that can be pumped ashore for dewatering and processing. Hydraulic dredges are floating and maneuverable dredge plants that use a rotating cutter head operating at the end of the inlet piping to the dredge. Aboard the dredge are large pumps (or a series of pumps) that draw sediment material removed by the cutter head into the 8- to 12-inch transfer piping and discharge the slurry ashore (via a floating pipeline) for dewatering and processing. The floating dredge plant is very portable, and well suited for accessing and operating in shallow and otherwise restrictive environments. It is a very unobtrusive method that does not require disturbing the shoreline, except during launching and recovery.