Idreco Delivers Dredger for Hydro-Dam in Congo

Idreco (International Dredger Constructions) of the Netherlands informs it has designed, built and installed its second dredger, an ISD 600 with a digging depth of 30 meters, at the Inga Dam in The Democratic Republic of Congo. The dredge has a mixture production and solids production of approximately of 5,000m3/hr and 1,500m3/hr using an Idreco designed IDP 600 pump.

 

The Inga Dam, operated by Société Nationale d'Électricité (SNEL), is the largest hydro-dam in Africa and generates approximately 1,775 megawatts of electricity. Like many hydro and water reservoir dams in the world that are over 30 years old, sedimentation build up has reduced the electrical generation capacity of the hydro-dams by reducing water flow through the turbines. In reservoirs, sedimentation build up has reduced the water capacity of the dams, which affects supply for drinking water, irrigation, fish population, as well as increasing the potential of toxic algae blooms. By removing the sediment deposit with this high volume dredging technology, SNEL, after 2-3 years, will resolve their reduced electrical generation problem and depending on the dredging production hours the remainder of the dam area can be cleaned together with the existing Idreco dredger type ISD 550, with a 20 meter digging depth.

 

Idreco said it was contacted by SNEL due to its experience and know-how to help them with a state-of-the-art dredging solution to clean the sediments in an efficient way, knowing that jet dredgers are the most efficient mining solution for this material at these digging depths. “By using the electricity of the hydro-dam, the energy costs stay very low, are very effective and environmentally friendly,” said Wim Snippe, Managing Director of Idreco, who guided the project with his team and has wide experience in dredger construction and operation.

 

Idreco's deep digging dredges provide solutions for the removal of sediment, so that the hydro-dams and reservoirs productive life can be extended for an additional 30 years or more. "We are not just delivering ‘modern dredging solutions’ for dredging in mining and hydro-dam areas," Snippe said, "we are working as partners with our customers, to maximize production at the lowest cost per m3 in the most efficient way."

 

Idreco utilizes frequency drives on all of its dredge motors and has its own proprietary Dredger Control and Digital GPS Sonar Systems, which allow customers the option to remotely check and operate the dredge. Idreco can remotely troubleshoot and provide optimum performance of the dredge via the installed DCS and remote communication systems. This also allows Idreco to advise the customer about possible maintenance issues and improved operation of the dredger. Idreco maintains adequate spare parts inventory for quick delivery to minimize down time. 

 

IDRECO designs, builds, and installs electric and diesel electric dredgers up to 200 meters in dredging depth with a solid volume production greater than 6,000 m3/hr. 

 

Pump Size: IDP 600

Motor Size: 900 kW

Digging Depth: 30 m

Production Volume Mixture: 4500-5000 m3/hr

Pumping Distance: 1000 m

HDPE Pipe Size: 600 mm

Dredge Control System

GPS/Sonar System

Remote Comm System