Developments in Submerged Dredge Pumps and their Drives

Category:

Pumps

Description:

The following innovations have been developed amongst European dredge designers and

manufacturers:

Electric Drives

- Low-speed, oil-filled, asynchronous submerged motors have been developed to drive ladder

pumps. These are thyristor-controlled, frequency-regulated, AC motors. The motors provide

improved control and durability.

Mechanical Drives (Pivoting Gearbox)

- A pivoting gearbox is located above the ladder trunnion pin on the main deck. This

arrangement allows mechanical shafting to be used to connect a primemover, located on the main

deck, to a ladder pump. Its advantages include:

1)Eliminates need for a submerged, electric or hydraulic drive motor for the ladder pump.

2) Mechanical shafting provides greater power transmission efficiency.

3) Makes the single dredge pump (ladder pump) arrangement feasible for smaller dredges. This

represents a significant cost savings over the conventional ladder and main pump arrangement.

4) Reduces manning and maintenance costs.

This equipment is commercial available and in service throughout Europe and Asia.

Reviewer:

C. Woolley

Company / Organization(s):

Information Sources:

Literature:

Month:

June

Year:

1998

LitType:

Report/Proceedings

Publisher:

WODCON XV, Las Vegas

Page:

137

Chapter 5 Other Technologies Reviewed