Damen Ships Modular Dredger to the Andes
Reservoirs are notoriously tricky to maintain: from the surrounding area plenty of sand and silt is brought in by the river and the material deposits at the dam. As reservoirs are usually rather deep, dredging can be quite a challenge. For the Tablachaca dam in Peru another challenge was added; the location high up in the Andes required a modular dredger due to transport restrictions. The DOP Dredger proved to be the perfect solution, according to its builder.
The various components of the modular DOP Dredger are limited in size to ensure all could be transported by road. Moreover, the pontoons of the dredger were made locally. Damen delivered a DOP dredging package for dredging at an important depth, plus the main components of the dredger.
The dredging package included a DOP350L dredge pump which has a mixture pumping capacity of 2,400 m3/h as well as the diesel hydraulic power pack which drives the DOP submersible dredge pump, plus the hoisting winch. This winch enables the DOP submersible dredge pump to be lowered on a cable to a dredging depth of -35 m. Moreover, a jetwater pump unit was delivered for supplying the DOP’s suction head with pressurized water. For all pumps suction and discharge piping was delivered for a swift start up.
The modularly constructed DOP dredger furthermore included a standard Damen operator cabin, an A-frame for lowering the DOP pump plus the wires and sheaves to do so, as well as dredging instrumentation. On deck a separate unit is located housing flow and density meter, which gives the operator a clear view of the dredging process.
The DOP dredger 350L was commissioned in February by Damen Field Service Engineers. The dredger has started its extensive job at an impressive location.