Patent ID: 6860989
Filing Date: 2005-03-01
Classification: B09B,B09C

Abstract:
1. A closed loop slurry processing system for pumping slurry from a slurry processing unit installed on a dredging barge to an on-shore treatment facility of the type including a containment vessel for receiving contaminated slurry, means for discharging a chemical decontamination reagent into the containment vessel for treating the slurry, and means for separating sludge from the slurry, thereby yielding process treatment water and treated sludge for disposal or further treatment, the closed loop slurry processing system comprising in combination: a dredging barge; a slurry processing unit installed on the dredging barge, the slurry processing unit including a hopper for collecting sludge dredged from a body of water, means for mixing make-up water with sludge in the hopper thereby producing an aqueous slurry, an inlet slurry pump having an inlet port coupled to the hopper for pumping slurry out of the hopper and having an outlet port, and slurry discharge piping coupled to the outlet port of the inlet slurry pump for discharging aqueous slurry into a delivery pipeline; a slurry delivery pipeline connectable in flow communication with the slurry discharge piping for transporting slurry to an on-shore treatment facility for discharge into a containment vessel; slurry pumping apparatus connectable in flow communication with the slurry delivery pipeline for pumping slurry from the slurry processing unit to the treatment facility for discharge into the containment vessel; a return pipeline connectable in flow communication with the containment vessel for conveying process treatment water from the treatment facility to the dredging barge for discharge into the slurry processing unit; make-up water pumping apparatus connectable in flow communication with the return pipeline for pumping process treatment water from the treatment facility to the dredging barge; make-up water piping coupled to the make-up water pumping apparatus, the make-up water piping including injection piping for discharging process treatment water into the slurry discharge piping and said mixing means, said mixing means including a make-up water line for discharging process treatment water into the hopper; and controller means coupled to the injection piping and the make-up water line for controlling the discharging of process treatment water into the slurry discharge piping and the hopper.