Barge system for hydraulic spreading of aquatic capping material

摘要

A barge system for hydraulic spreading of aquatic capping material is provided. The barge system includes a barge, a piping system, a spreader, a system for moving the barge and a controller. The barge has a deck extending between a front end and a rear end and two opposing sides. The piping system is mounted on the deck and used for the transmission of capping material slurry that includes a capping material. The piping system has a first end and a second end. A source of capping material slurry is connected to the first end and fed through the piping system to the spreader. The spreader has an inlet end in communication with the second end of the piping system and a discharge end. The spreader evenly distributes the capping material slurry from the end of the barge. The controller positions the barge based on the flow rate and density of the slurry. The barge system is used to deposit a predetermined thickness of the capping material on the bottom of the body of water.

主权项

1. A barge system for spreading capping material on a bottom of a body of water, the barge system comprising:
a barge, wherein the barge has a deck extending between a front end and a rear end; a piping system mounted on the deck of the barge for transmission of a capping material slurry comprising a capping material, the piping system having a first end and a second end, wherein a source of capping material slurry is connected to the first end; a spreader having an inlet end in communication with the second end of the piping system and a discharge end, wherein the spreader evenly distributes the capping material slurry; a density meter for measuring a density of the capping material slurry in the piping system and transmitting an electronic signal corresponding to the measured density; a flow meter for measuring a flow rate of the capping material slurry through the piping system and transmitting an electronic signal corresponding to the measured flow rate; a global positioning system for continuously determining a location of the barge and transmitting an electronic signal corresponding to the location; a system for moving the barge; a controller, wherein the controller:
receives the electronic signal from the density meter, the flow meter and the global positioning system;performs a calculation to determine an amount of capping material slurry discharged from the spreader, wherein the calculation comprises the density and flow rate of the capping material slurry; andcontrols the system for moving the barge based on the amount of capping material slurry discharged and the location of the barge as determined by the global positioning system; and an operator interface device for interfacing with the controller,wherein a predetermined thickness of the capping material is deposited on the bottom of the body of water.