How Does A Dredge Pump Work?

With the development of the dredging market, the requirements for dredging equipment are getting higher and higher, and the suction resistance and vacuum of dredging pumps are getting higher and higher, which has a great impact on the efficiency of dredging pumps and the chance of cavitation is getting higher and higher. The number of dredging pumps is also increasing.

Especially when the dredging depth reaches 20m or more, the above situation will be more obvious. The use of underwater pumps can effectively improve the above situation. The lower the installation position of underwater pumps, the smaller the suction resistance and vacuum, which can obviously reduce the losses during the work and improve the working efficiency. The installation of underwater pump can effectively increase the dredging depth and improve the ability to transport sediment.

Dredge Pump

What is a dredging pump?

A dredge pump is a horizontal centrifugal pump that is the heart of a dredger. It is designed to handle suspended abrasive granular materials and solids of limited size. Without a dredge pump, a stranded dredger would not be able to deliver mud.

The dredge pump is designed to draw sediment, debris and other hazardous materials from the surface layer into the suction pipe and transport the material through the pipe to the discharge site. The pump must be able to handle common solid debris of various sizes that can pass through the pump, thus minimizing the downtime required for cleaning.

How does a dredge pump work?

A dredge pump contains a pump casing and an impeller. The impeller is mounted in the pump casing and connected to the drive motor via a gearbox and shaft. The front part of the pump casing is sealed with a suction cover and connected directly to the suction pipe of the dredger. The discharge port of the dredge pump is located near the top of the dredge pump and is connected to a separate discharge line.

The impeller is considered the heart of the dredge pump and is similar to a fan that expels air and creates centrifugal suction. At the suction pipe, this vacuum absorbs the slurry and transports the material through the discharge line.

Dredge Pump Features

The winch dredger is usually equipped with a hull-mounted dredge pump, which has an impeller centered at or below the draft line for further production and improved suction efficiency.

Dredge pumps are designed to transfer large quantities of fluids and solids.

Under ideal conditions, a dredge pump can produce fluid acceleration greater than the speed of its fastest moving component.

Some models can generate discharge pressures up to 260 ft. (80 m).

Despite the complexity of internal flow patterns, the overall performance of dredge pumps is predictable.

Selecting a dredge pump

If pump size and type are not defined, it is worth considering the following factors when selecting a dredge pump and dredge pump: type and thickness of material to be pumped, whether diesel or electric power is required, HP (kw) of engine required, pump performance data, durability, ease of maintenance and average life expectancy under normal operating conditions. life, all important attributes in the selection process. Equally important is matching the proper pipe size and composition to maintain proper material flow without clogging the pipe and to maintain the pumping output needed to get the job done.