Methods and Systems for Processing Dredge Spoils
Methods and systems including processing dredge spoils to reclaim soil therefrom. The techniques may include a feed system for receiving dredge spoils, a dewatering system for removing water from the dredge spoils, and a grinder/mixer for grinding the dredge spoils from the dewatering system while mixing the dredge spoils with one or more additional materials.
1 . A system for processing dredge spoils, comprising:
a feed system that receives dredge spoils;
a dewatering system that removes water from the dredge spoils; and
a grinder/mixer that grinds the dredge spoils from the dewatering system while mixing the dredge spoils with one or more additional materials to give a reclaimed soil product.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the feed system has a feed tank that receives the dredge spoils from a dredging operation and/or from a Dredge Material Placement Area (DMPA).
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the feed tank comprises a frac tank.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the feed system comprises an agitation tank that mixes the dredge spoils from the feed tank.
5 . The system of claim 4 , comprising a sampling system configured to sample or facilitate sampling of the dredge spoils from the agitation tank.
6 . The system of claim 4 , comprising a chemical treatment system that injects a chemical into the dredge spoils in the agitation tank.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the dewatering system comprises a filter press to remove water from the dredge spoils.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the grinder/mixer comprises a pug mill.
9 . The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a bagging system to bag the reclaimed soil product; and
a solids conveyer to transport the reclaimed soil product from the grinder/mixer to the bagging system.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the reclaimed soil product comprises topsoil, compost, and/or bedding soil.
11 . A method for processing dredge spoils, comprising:
receiving dredge spoils to an inlet tank in a feed system;
dewatering the dredge spoils to generate dewatered dredge spoils; and
grinding the dewatered dredge spoils while mixing the dewatered dredge spoils with an additional material to give a reclaimed soil product.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein receiving comprises receiving the dredge spoils from a dredging operation and/or from a DMPA.
13 . The method of claim 12 , comprising hydrating the dredge spoils from the DMPA prior to receiving the dredge spoils at the inlet tank.
14 . The method of claim 11 , comprising agitating the dredge spoils in the feed system.
15 . The method of claim 11 , comprising sampling and/or chemically treating the dredge spoils in the feed system.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein dewatering comprises dewatering the dredge spoils with a filter press.
17 . The method of claim 11 , comprising transporting water removed from the dredge spoils in the dewatering to a water body undergoing a dredging operation.
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the additional material comprises sand and/or processed sewage.
19 . A method for processing dredge spoils, comprising:
receiving dredge spoils to a feed tank;
agitating the dredge spoils in an agitation tank;
dewatering the dredge spoils to generate dewatered dredge spoils;
grinding the dewatered dredge spoils; and
mixing an additional material with the dewatered dredge spoils.
20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the mixing and grinding are a combined operation that generates reclaimed product including reclaimed soil and the additional material, wherein the additional material is sand, processed sewage, and/or another organic additive.