Design of Fluidizer Systems for Coastal Environment

Abstract

Flow emanating from perforations in a buried pipe can be used to fluidize sand in the coastal environment. A trench of specified length, width, and depth can be created by fluidization for applications such as sand bypassing and channel maintenance in tidal inlets and harbor mouths. Over 15 yr of research has culminated in a design methodology for selection of fluidizer pipe diameter; fluidizer hole orientation, size, and spacing; and flow rate and pressure requirements for achieving full fluidization. A complete system requires guidance on the selection of other components, including choice of materials, installation techniques, clear‐water intake, and slurry‐removal mechanism. The design example illustrates how to maintain a 9.14‐m‐ (30‐ft‐) wide, 2.44‐m‐ (8‐ft‐) deep channel in an inlet to a marina.