Identification of Alternative Power Sources for Dredged Material Processing Operations.
Abstract
This report provides a basis for selecting alternative, renewable power sources specifically for operating dredged material processing systems. A dredged material processing system is designed to: (1) extract sand and gravel for commercial use, (2) remove silt and clay from water to meet quality restrictions on return water, and (3) dewater the residual silt and clay to reduce volume and provide a usable foundation for later land use. Currently, processing of dredged material usually consists of holding the hydraulically pumped slurry in a diked containment area and pumping or draining off the water after settlement of the suspended material. Subsequent natural drying by sun and wind presents a problem if the material is a fine-grained silt or clay. The scope of the assigned task was to provide a screening and selection procedure for the engineer designing a dredged material processing system in order to decide which natural form of energy (or combination), if any, should be chosen to power the system. Alternative power can be provided in several forms. The following were considered in this study: (1) Wind power, driving pumps and electric generators, (2) Solar radiation converted to thermal and electrical energy, and (3) Hydraulic power (waves and currents) for driving electric generators. Some consideration was given to obtaining power from solid waste (such as incineration of trash), but was discarded. Of all the alternative power sources studied, wind electric generation seems to be the most practical and versatile to apply at this time.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA048312
Entities
People
- C. E. Parker
- D. Pal
- J. B. Ciani
- K. F. Vodraska