The estimation of production and location of pumps for a cutter suction dredge using a long distance pipeline

Hydraulic dredging uses centrifugal pumps to transport dredged material and often requires a long distance pipeline and additional booster pumps. It is important to locate each pump at an optimum location along the pipeline and to estimate the dredge production. This paper describes a dredgingproduction-estimation program for a cutter suction dredge developed at the Center for Dredging Studies. The program objective is to determine the best location for each pump, including a main pump, a ladder pump, and booster pumps, and to estimate production. The ladder pump and the booster pumps are located with the consideration of pump cavitation and the power limitation of the pumps, respectively. The corresponding pump head curve, the system head curve, the available net positive suction head (NPSH) curve, the required NPSH curve, and the critical flow rate are used for determining the operating flow rate and production. The input for the program includes the water depth, the location of the main pump, pump rpm, pump horsepower, specific gravity of the slurry, and the length of a discharge pipeline. Correspondingly, the program estimates production as well as the locations of the main pump, the ladder pump and booster pumps for given operating conditions.

The estimation of production and location of pumps for a cutter suction dredge using a long distance pipeline Academic Article