Sludge Dredging and Pumping

Veolia Separations owns and operates a fleet of manned and remotely operated dredges and sludge pumps of various types, shapes and sizes. Our dredge and pump fleet is designed to efficiently and effectively recover sludge from every conceivable pit, pond, lagoon, or vessel (tanks, thickeners, clarifiers, separators, etc.).

Dredging

Veolia uses manned and unmanned (remotely operated) diesel powered dredge platforms fitted with submersible hydraulic pumps of various sizes and capacities.

The dredge transverses across the pond by winching itself along a fixed, taut cable. Cable guides on the front and rear of the dredge prevent it from veering off course while a variable speed (reversible and hydraulically powered) winch forces the rotating auger/cutter head into the sludge. The dredge operator can control the consistency of the sludge removed by the dredge by adjusting the depth and speed of the cutter head.

For a manned dredging operation (pictured), the dredge operator maintains constant communication via two-way radio with an operator (Shoreman) located at the sludge screening/mixing tank. The Shoreman functions as a safety watch and informs the dredge operator when the mix/storage tank is full or empty.

• The dredge enables the client to keep the pond/lagoon in service. On some applications, Onyx will use turbidity curtains at or near the pond out-fall to ensure the dredging operation does not cause the discharge of suspended solids.
• Some applications or project objectives will require washing or manually removing residual sludge left on the pond surfaces after the dredging process.
• The largest Veolia dredge is equipped with a fifteen-foot (15’) boom (about 5 meters). In the event the pit/pond is deeper than 15 feet; Onyx works with the client to lower the pond/lagoon water level.
• It is important to work with the client to identify any submerged obstructions and/or structures to prevent damage to the dredge equipment and/or the submerged structures.
• The distance and elevation that the sludge must be pumped, and the density of the sludge must be evaluated on a project specific basis. In some cases, the use of a booster pump may be required to transfer sludge/”spoils” to the desired location.

Veolia can equip our dredges with bumpers and liner guards to allow safe and reliable operation in lined ponds/basins (picture). Veolia will assume complete liability in the unlikely event that our equipment or operators damage the pond liner.

The dredge pictured here is a manned Rotomite unit capable of operating in tight areas and small basins.

Remotely Controlled Dredge

Veolia owns several remotely operated, submersible track dredges (a.k.a. Dozer Dredge pictured here). The dredge is placed in a tank, pit, basin or large sewer line using a crane.

The Dozer Dredge is powered and operated from a hydraulic power plant located up to 200 feet away.

It can safely and effectively remove sludge/solids from restricted areas that cannot be readily accessed by manned dredges or pumps.

Pumping

Veolia owns and operates a variety of submersible sludge pumps and shore mounted transfer pumps capable of handling any type of sludge stream. Veolia can utilize other industrial service lines to gain safe access to any vessel or tank, such as ultra high-pressure water cutting tank door sheets or man-way extensions.

The H&H submersible sludge pump (pictured) is equipped with a slurry gate to motivate and recover the most difficult to pump sludge streams. This pump is remotely operated by a hydraulic power plant that permits direct sludge access without manned entry into the pit or vessel. The pump can be repositioned within the vessel using a crane (or equivalent) and rigging or placed in the vessel’s sump. This pump can safely remove sludge to within eight (8) inches of the vessel’s bottom.