Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
DCN Diving BV also knows this, which is why it called on the expertise and equipment of Bell Dredging Pumps. The global manufacturer of dredge pumps and dredging equipment knows how to deal with this kind of challenge.
"The function of a reservoir is to generate energy. Over time, sediment has deposited, probably a layer about twenty meters thick, which has reduced the generating capacity." says Thijs van den Outenaar, sales engineer at Bell Dredging Pumps.
"DCN Diving bought from us three Bell 300E electric pumps of 300 kW each. In consultation with the customer, we built two of them in series one after the other in a frame that also housed a high-pressure water jet pump. The bottom of the frame has a special custom sand head." This installation will be sunk in its entirety from a surface pontoon to a depth of 200 meters. "The head will jettison water under high pressure, creating a cloud of sand and silt that can be easily sucked up by the pumps." Also aboard the pontoon is a Bell 300E Booster Station, also 300 kW. "With a total of 900 kW of installed dredging pump power, we can dredge virtually any material we encounter at great depth and pump it away over a long distance. In this case over a kilometer with a flow of 1,800 cubic meters/hour.''
"It is not known exactly what is in the reservoir at a depth of 200 meters. The great power combined with a 155mm orifice of the Bell 300E, also allows larger pieces of rock and other material to be pumped to the surface. Because we are always looking at how we can achieve an optimal result for the customer, we are also developing a self-cleaning sand head, which can spray itself clean in case debris gets stuck in the suction basket. With the big advantage that the pump can stay down. Ideal for any application at great depth," says Van den Outenaar.
The underwater installation is equipped with various sensors so that everything can be properly monitored above water. "In addition to temperature and water detection sensors in the electric motors, the installation includes a depth gauge, suction pressure gauge and various pressure gauges. This way you still have 'eyes and ears' at great depths and early intervention is possible if necessary." Van den Outenaar concludes, "There is nothing like providing solutions to challenges in complex projects!
