IHC Research

Title: Development of a prediction model for wear in slurry transport equipment

In association with dredging companies prediction models have been developed for the wear in dredge pumps and pipelines with the use of Fuzzy Logic. Field measurements have been carried out to validate the prediction model.

Title: Use of expeller blades on the suction side of an impeller

Research to the effect of expeller blades on the suction side of an impeller in a dredge pump. The wear and exploitation of expeller blades were compared with conventional sealing on the suction side by means of testing in the MTI Laboratory.

Title: Influence of pipe bends in the suction tube on pump performance

In this study different aspects of a mixture flow through pipe bends and their influence on the pump performance are considered. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) are used to calculate and simulate the flow behaviour in a bend and the flow quantities which are influencing this behaviour.
The results are used as input in a model for the design a dredge pump to determine their influence on the pump performance.

Title: Effect of solids on pump behaviour

Two new model are developed for the effect of solids on the efficiency and manometric head of a centrifugal pump. One model concerns the settling of slurries and another model for non-Newtonian slurries. In these models the reduction of the efficiency of the pump also depends on the diameter of the impeller. By means of field measurements the model has been validated.

Title: Cutter dredger dynamics in seaway

In association with Marin, Ballast Ham Dredging and Protys
Development of software CUDAS capable of predicting the responses of a cutter suction dredger under influence of various sea-states. This software also incorporates the effects of flexible cutter ladder and spud carriage mountings. The results of the calculations are used to assess loads on the structural components as a result of the forces induced by the motions. Tests have been carried out to validate the software.

Title: Pipeline resistance

This research project comprises the determination of the physical behaviour of a high density sand mixture in horizontal pipelines and of the critical mixture velocity in inclined pipelines. Field measurements on pipeline resistance have been carried out for different soils and pipe diameters. Development of software capable of predicting flow losses in pipelines. The results of the calculations are used to advise clients on pump choice and general system layout.

Title: Design parameters for stationary sieves

This study comprises the setup of new design parameters for stationary sieves a board of gravel hopper dredgers and describes the theoretical background of stationary sieving.

Title: Influence of suction depth while measuring pump cavitation

To determine a reliable cavitation range of a dredgepump the suction depth should be at least 10m. This research comprises factors which influence the cavitation range during measurements when a suction depth of less than 10 meter is used.

Title: Influence of design parameters on ship movements as excitation for the swinging of the suction tube

As a result of the increasing sizes of trailing suction hopper dredgers, more problems occur with the ship’s movements and the resulted movements of the suction tube. This research handles the influence of design parameters on the swinging movements of the suction tube. Also the relationship between the movements of the ship and the resulting movements of the suction tube is described.

Title: Minimization rest load aboard Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers

After discharging, a certain amount of rest load is left in the hopper of trailing suction hopper dredgers. The objective of this study is to minimize this rest load without any negative influence on the discharge time. Analysis has been carried out on the design of the ship, the order of discharging, the processes in the hopper and the appearance of the rest load in the jet-system. Also a scale test has been carried out to determine the effectivity of a new type of discharge door.

Title: Test program for the loading and unloading of a hopper In association with: Dredging International

Test program to study the loading and unloading processes that take place on board suction hopper dredgers. To this end a 54000-litre test rig, a scale model of an existing dredger, was built in our systems laboratory. This test rig is also used to study the effects of various arrangements and working methods so as to determine the important parameters influencing the loading and unloading of hoppers. Finally a new type of loading box was developed and installed on a trailing suction hopper dredger. Field measurements were carried out for the verification of the design.

Title: Draghead 2000x

This research project comprises the development of a new draghead for suction tubes. The new draghead is being specially designed to accommodate an "industrial" work process for high mixture densities together with low power requirements, pulling forces and costs.

Title: Design, construction and testing of prototype of Synchrocrusher

In association with Ankerpoort and Novem
This project was carried out as a follow up on earlier projects for the design and testing of the Synchrocrusher. After a design phase which included an initial technical evaluation, the pilot unit was constructed and commissioned at MTI. After some modifications the test unit was installed at Ankerpoort for start up and further testing.

Title: Cutter (drive) dynamics

Development of software capable of predicting the dynamic response of a cutter (drive) under influence of the digging forces. This software allows IHC to improve the layout of the cutter drive train and is also used in the design of new cutter.

Title: Pump and impeller design for HR (high efficiency) pumps

As part of the development by IHC of new high efficiency dredging pumps, MTI designed and tested the new pumps and impellers. The new designs were based on theoretical models that were used to build scale models. The results of these tests used to validate the theoretical models and to further improve the pump and impeller design. In 2001 a study was made to find out if a HR-pump could be exchanged with normal dredge pumps in existing Beaver Dredgers. This led to a new design for HR pumps.

Title: Development of a multifunctional environmental dredger

In co-operation with Ballast Nedam Environmental Dredging
Based on previous studies on environmental dredging a concept was developed where the dredger was required to operate under varying conditions. Both removal of debris and accurate removal of polluted soil layers had to be performed by the same dredger.