Pipeline Dredge Analytical Program with Comparison to Field Data

Abstract

A clear understanding of pipeline dredge production capacity provides dredge operators and dredging project planners with the capability to accurately and effectively determine a project’s cost and duration. Dredge pump and pipeline hydraulics coupled with slurry transport principles present a complex and challenging engineering system requiring specialized knowledge and understanding of how the system will operate. This study determines how well the theoretical principles of hydraulics and slurry transport govern the actual pipeline dredging process, compared with dredge pump and pipeline instrumentation data. Results indicate that the delivered pipeline slurry mixture incurred more friction losses during transport than water alone. This study further determines the maximum pumping capability of the dredge pump in terms of its maximum dredging depth and maximum pipeline length. These results determine that the pipeline dredge operated well within its operating limits during the case study. Overall, the comparison between pump and pipeline instrumentation data to the theoretical background formula demonstrates the reasonable effectiveness of applying the theoretical principles into an analytical program to measure and predict dredge performance.