Settling pond at Western Kraft Corp., Albany, Ore., was formerly cleaned by dragline and sludge was hauled to a disposal site. This method often necessitated the removal and replacement of a divider wall which create a U-shaped path and doubled settling distance to 900 ft. Since the pond could not be drained without shutting down the mill, a more flexible sludge removal method was needed. Barge with suspended auger was employed to cut path through sludge. System is delivered by truck to the site along with quick-coupling pipe.
Regional contractors furnish all equipment and personnel needed on a contract basis.
18-in deep swath with each pass. For ecology protection, a special mudshield traps material as it is cut. Pump suction takes it away with minimum turbidity and disturbance. The advantage provided by the floating sludge remover, however, was a more convenient means of cleaning the pond. It has required less supervision by plant engineers and also resulted in an extremely clean pond, accomplished more efficiently.