Title: Attachment for use with stockpiling barge and method of filtering runoff water therefrom
Abstract: An attachment to a drainage hose for use on a stockpiling barge that includes: a fluid pervious bag formed of a flexible fabric material, the fluid pervious bag having an open end and a closed end, a ballast material attached to or retained within the closed end of the fluid pervious bag, and means for securing the open end of the fluid pervious bag about a hose. Also disclosed are the attachment in combination with a drainage hose and a stockpiling barge, a method of filtering runoff water from a stockpiling barge through the use of the attachments, and a method of preventing non-dissolved organic or inorganic contaminants from flowing from a stockpiling barge into a body of water through the use of the attachments.
Patent Number: 6,857,819 Issued on 02/22/2005 to Gunderson, III
| Inventors:
|
Gunderson, III; William F. (Astoria, OR)
|
| Assignee:
|
Gunderboom, Inc. (Anchorage, AK)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
358424 |
| Filed:
|
February 4, 2003 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
405/60; 114/27; 210/460 |
| Intern'l Class: |
E02B 015//00 |
| Field of Search: |
405/40,41,39,60
210/460,237,238,317,314,316,318,242.1
114/26-38,73
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
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|
| 3862502 | Jan., 1975 | Young | 37/316.
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| 3899424 | Aug., 1975 | Lake.
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| 3979289 | Sep., 1976 | Bykowski et al.
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| 4178245 | Dec., 1979 | Nakaoka et al.
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| 4219423 | Aug., 1980 | Smith, Jr.
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| 4288321 | Sep., 1981 | Beane.
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| 4296884 | Oct., 1981 | Luebke.
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| 4582048 | Apr., 1986 | Sorensen.
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| 4769052 | Sep., 1988 | Kowalski | 55/379.
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| 4822106 | Apr., 1989 | Wilson et al. | 37/314.
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| 4880333 | Nov., 1989 | Glasser et al.
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| 4919820 | Apr., 1990 | Lafay et al.
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| 5089108 | Feb., 1992 | Small | 210/460.
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| 5102261 | Apr., 1992 | Gunderson, III.
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| 5139686 | Aug., 1992 | Cares.
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| 5197821 | Mar., 1993 | Cain et al.
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| 5220958 | Jun., 1993 | Bernhardt.
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| 5322629 | Jun., 1994 | Stewart.
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| 5345741 | Sep., 1994 | Slater et al.
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| 5354456 | Oct., 1994 | Montgomery et al.
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| 5354459 | Oct., 1994 | Smith.
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| 5372711 | Dec., 1994 | Sill.
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| 5427679 | Jun., 1995 | Daniels.
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| 5893978 | Apr., 1999 | Yoda et al.
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| 6210573 | Apr., 2001 | Marshall | 210/238.
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| 6337025 | Jan., 2002 | Clemenson.
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| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 2195-238 | Aug., 1972 | FR.
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| 2284-709 | Sep., 1974 | FR.
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| 2329-808 | Nov., 1975 | FR.
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| 2579-239 | Mar., 1985 | FR.
| |
| WO 91/07546 | May., 1991 | WO.
| |
| WO 99/19570 | Apr., 1999 | WO.
| |
Primary Examiner: Lagman; Frederick L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Nixon Peabody LLP
Parent Case Text
The present application is entitled to the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/354,107 filed Feb. 4, 2002,
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed:
1. An attachment to a drainage hose for use on a stockpiling barge, the
attachment comprising:
a fluid pervious bag formed of a geosynthetic fabric material, the fluid
pervious bag having an open end and a closed end,
a ballast material attached to or retained within the closed end of the
fluid pervious bag, and
means for securing the open end of the fluid pervious bag about a drainage
hose.
2. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the ballast material is
attached to the closed end externally of the fluid pervious bag.
3. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the ballast material is
attached to the closed end internally of the fluid pervious bag.
4. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the ballast material is
retained within the fluid pervious bag.
5. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the ballast material is in
the form of a chain.
6. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the fluid pervious bag
includes a channel formed by the geosynthetic fabric material about the
open end, the channel including first and second openings.
7. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the means for securing
comprise a rope located with the channel, the rope including first and
second ends which extend from, respectively, the first and second openings
of the channel.
8. The attachment according to claim 1 further comprising:
one or more straps secured to the fluid pervious bag adjacent the open end.
9. The attachment according to claim 1 wherein the means for securing
comprise a clamp that surrounds the open end.
10. The attachment according to claim 9, wherein the clamp is a
spring-biased clamp.
11. The attachment according to claim 1 wherein the fluid pervious bag
tapers from the closed end toward to open end.
12. In combination,
a drainage hose having a first end adapted for connection to a drainage
outlet of a stockpiling barge and a second end; and
the attachment of claim 1 secured to the drainage hose by the means for
securing, with the second end of the drainage hose positioned internally
of the fluid pervious bag.
13. In combination,
a stockpiling barge designed to receive dredged materials, the stockpiling
barge including one or more drainage outlets;
one or more drainage hoses each having a first end coupled in fluid
communication to a corresponding drainage outlet and a second end; and
one or more attachments according to claim 1 each secured to a
corresponding drainage hose by the means for securing, with the second end
of the drainage hose positioned internally of the fluid pervious bag.
14. The combination according to claim 13, wherein the stockpiling barge
includes two or more drainage outlets, two or more drainage hoses, and two
or more attachments.
15. The combination according to claim 13, wherein the stockpiling barge
further includes one or more filters positioned, respectively, between the
portion of the stockpiling barge designed to receive dredged materials and
the one or more outlets.
16. The combination according to claim 15, wherein the one or more filters
each comprise a frame, a mesh screen secured to the frame, and a sheet of
flexible fabric material secured to the frame, wherein the mesh screen and
the sheet of flexible fabric material are contiguous over substantially
the entire surface area of the filter.
17. A method of filtering water flowing from a stockpiling barge
comprising:
providing a stockpiling barge that is designed to receive dredged materials
and includes one or more drainage outlets, one or more drainage hoses each
having a first end coupled in fluid communication to a corresponding
drainage outlet and a second end, and one or more attachments according to
claim 1 each secured to a corresponding drainage hose by the means for
securing, with the second end of the drainage hose positioned internally
of the fluid pervious bag; and
introducing dredged materials into the stockpiling barge, wherein water and
sedimentation flowing from the stockpiling barge through the one or more
drainage outlets passes into the corresponding attachment, whereby
sedimentation flowing through the drainage outlet is retained within the
corresponding attachment while water passes freely through the
geosynthetic fabric material that forms the fluid pervious bag.
18. A method of preventing non-dissolved organic or inorganic contaminants
from flowing from a stockpiling barge into a body of water comprising:
performing the method according to claim 17, wherein the dredged materials
further contain non-dissolved organic or inorganic contaminants, whereby
non-dissolved organic or inorganic contaminants flowing through the
drainage outlet are retained within the corresponding attachment while
water passes freely through the geosynthetic fabric material that forms
the fluid pervious bag.
19. The attachment according to claim 1 wherein the geosynthetic fabric
material has a pore size that is less than about 150 microns.
20. The attachment according to claim 1 wherein the geosynthetic fabric
material has a pore size that is between about 10 and about 80 microns.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to water filtration systems
designed for use in aquatic environments, particularly for use in dredging
operations to filter runoff water entering the aquatic environment from a
stockpiling barge.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dredging operations are routinely carried out in many water ways where
access to a port site is desired. The dredging allows for removal of
sedimentation from within a body of water such that the depth of the water
column is sufficient for ingress and egress of vessels. However, dredging
operations can cause significant harm to the aquatic environment,
particularly where sediment is known to be contaminated with heavy metals
such as mercury or organic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls.
Resuspension of sediment, whether contaminated or not, into the water
column and surrounding environment is always a concern for dredging
operations. Resuspension can occur during two phases of the dredging
operation, either from the removal activity or from the runoff of water
from the stockpiling barge. To minimize the effect of resuspension during
the removal activity, the dredging site can be surrounded by aquatic
barriers of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,261 to Gunderson III
or U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,229 to Gunderson III, et al. However, this
typically is insufficient for the stockpiling barges, which must be moved
to and from the dredging site and, therefore, cannot easily be contained
by such barriers.
Stockpiling barges must release excess water during dredging. This is
achieved via drainage holes spaced about the perimeter of the barge,
typically at the four corners and possibly along the sides. Traditionally,
dredgers allow the water runoff to pass through the drainage holes and
then spill over the side of the barge. Not only does this add to water
turbidity, but it also allows the possibility of contaminated sediments
re-entering the water column.
The present invention is directed to overcoming these deficiencies in the
art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first aspect of the present invention relates to an attachment to a
drainage hose for use on a stockpiling barge. The attachment includes: a
fluid pervious bag formed of a flexible fabric material, the fluid
pervious bag having an open end and a closed end, a ballast material
attached to or retained within the closed end of the fluid pervious bag,
and means for securing the open end of the fluid pervious bag about a
hose.
A second aspect of the present invention relates to the combination of a
drainage hose, having a first end adapted for connection to a drainage
outlet of a stockpiling barge and a second end, and the attachment
according to the first aspect of the present invention, with the
attachment being secured to the drainage hose by the means for securing,
with the second end of the drainage hose positioned internally of the
fluid pervious bag.
A third aspect of the present invention relates to the combination of a
stockpiling barge that is designed to receive dredged materials and
includes one or more drainage outlets, one or more drainage hoses each
having a first end coupled in fluid communication to a corresponding
drainage outlet and a second end, and one or more attachments according to
the first aspect of the present invention, with each attachment being
secured to a corresponding drainage hose by the means for securing, with
the second end of the drainage hose positioned internally of the fluid
pervious bag.
A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a method of filtering
water flowing from a stockpiling barge that includes: providing a
stockpiling barge that is designed to receive dredged materials and
includes one or more drainage outlets, one or more drainage hoses each
having a first end coupled in fluid communication to a corresponding
drainage outlet and a second end, and one or more attachments according to
the first aspect of the present invention, with each of the attachments
being secured to a corresponding drainage hose by the means for securing,
with the second end of the drainage hose positioned internally of the
fluid pervious bag; and introducing dredged materials into the stockpiling
barge, wherein water and sedimentation flowing from the stockpiling barge
through the one or more drainage outlets passes into the corresponding
attachment, whereby sedimentation flowing through the drainage outlet is
retained within the corresponding attachment while water passes freely
through the flexible material that forms the fluid pervious bag.
A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preventing
non-dissolved organic or inorganic contaminants from flowing from a
stockpiling barge into a body of water. This method includes: performing
the method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention,
wherein the dredged materials further contain non-dissolved organic or
inorganic contaminants, whereby non-dissolved organic or inorganic
contaminants flowing through the drainage outlet are retained within the
corresponding attachment while water passes freely through the flexible
material that forms the fluid pervious bag.
Because the fluid pervious bag allows for capture of sediment particles
that are larger than the pores of the flexible fabric material, a large
portion of sediment that normally would flow back into the aquatic
environment surrounding a dredge site can be contained and removed. Not
only does this minimize environmental harm at the site, particularly where
contaminants are present in the sediments, but this also facilitates a
substantial reduction in turbidity at the site. An approximately 10- to
100-fold reduction in turbidity caused by barge runoff can be achieved.
The decrease in turbidity will allow for greater ease and efficiency in
carrying out the dredging operation and, as a result, likely afford
decreased dredging costs. Additional benefits include the potential
removal or partial removal of hydrocarbons in the dredge spoils runoff via
absorption into the flexible fabric material used to form the fluid
pervious bag. Preferred oleophilic non-woven geotextiles, when used, and
with the appropriate retention time, will absorb hydrocarbons.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an attachment to a drainage hose in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the attachment of the first embodiment
shown connected to a drainage hose.
FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an attachment to a drainage hose in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a stockpiling barge in combination
with a drainage hose and attachment according to the first embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an attachment to a drainage hose for use
on a stockpiling barge, the combination of the attachment and drainage
hose, as well as the combination of the attachment, drainage hose, and
stockpiling barge.
The attachments are in the form of a fluid pervious bag that is formed of a
flexible fabric material. The fluid pervious bag can have any of a variety
of shapes or configurations, but all of the embodiments are characterized
by an open end, which is intended to receive the discharge hose, and a
closed end opposite therefrom. The dimensions of the fluid pervious bag
should be suitable for the site, i.e., not longer than the depth of the
water column where dredging occurs. An exemplary dimension of the fluid
pervious bag is about 2 feet wide and about 10 feet long.
The flexible fabric material that is used to form the fluid pervious bag
can be any suitable fabric material that is sufficiently durable to handle
the stresses of containing dredge sediments, particularly during removal
of filled attachments from the water (described hereinafter). To achieve
containment of sediments, the flexible fabric material preferably has an
average pore size that is less than about 150 microns, more preferably
between about 10 and about 80 microns, most preferably between about 10
and about 30 microns. The nature of the sediment to be dredged (i.e.,
silt, clay, sand, etc.) will dictate the appropriate pore size of the
flexible fabric material.
Preferred flexible fabric materials are geosynthetic fabrics. Geosynthetic
fabrics are formed of polymeric materials and can be either woven or
non-woven. The geosynthetic fabric is "water-pervious," meaning that water
passes through the fabric and is not absorbed by the fabric.
Typically, the geosynthetic fabric will also be "oleophilic," meaning that
it absorbs or attracts oil (more generally, hydrocarbons), thereby
blocking the flow of oil, but allows water to flow therethrough. For
containment of silt and other suspended particulates, it is not essential
that the fluid pervious bag be oleophilic. However, many pollutants are
hydrocarbon-based and to contain those pollutants, the fluid pervious bag
preferably is oleophilic.
Useful geosynthetic fabrics are further characterized by high load
distribution capacity, the ability to abate material filtration, and
permeability to water. Geosynthetic fabrics are commercially available in
a range of tensile strengths, permeabilities, and permitivities, and are
useful for the purposes of the invention throughout those ranges.
The geosynthetic fabrics are nonbiodegradable, so they do not deteriorate
due to environmental exposure. During prolonged use, exposure to
ultraviolet (UV) light may cause some geosynthetic fabrics to weaken or
deteriorate. However, UV-resistant fabrics are commercially available as
well as UV resistance treatment methods.
Geosynthetic fabric may be prepared using one or a combination of various
polymers, for example polyester, polypropylene, polyamides, and
polyethylene. Most commercially available geosynthetic fabrics are
polypropylene or polyester. Examples of suitable nonwoven geosynthetic
fabrics include, but are not limited to, AMOPAVE.RTM. 4399, AMOPAVE.RTM.
HD 4597, 4545, 4553, and 4561 (all polypropylene fabrics commercially
available from Amoco Fabrics and Fibers Company); Typar.RTM., a
polypropylene fabric commercially available from Dupont; TREVIRA.RTM.
Spunbond, a polyester fabric commercially available from Hoechst Fibers
Industries. Examples of suitable woven geosynthetic fabrics include, but
are not limited to, 1380 SILT STOP.RTM., 1198, 1199, 2090, 2000, 2006 (all
polypropylene fabrics commercially available from Amoco Fabrics and Fibers
Company).
The fluid pervious bag can be constructed from the flexible fabric material
by simply preparing sewn, heat fused, or sonically welded seams along the
sides and/or ends thereof, thereby forming the open and closed ends of the
fluid pervious bag. Other means of connecting the flexible fabric material
to itself can also be employed.
The fluid pervious bag can be formed of a single layer of flexible fabric
material or multiple layers of flexible fabric material. Where multiple
layers are employed, the layers can be formed of the same or different
flexible fabric material. For example, and without limitation, an inner
layer can be formed of a first flexible fabric material having a
particular pore size while an outer layer can be formed of a second
flexible fabric material having a smaller pore size that will allow for
retention of sediments that pass through the pores of the first or inner
flexible fabric material. Alternatively, the layers of flexible fabric
material can have different properties other than their pore size, such as
an inner layer that is not oleophilic but an outer layer than is
oleophilic, an inner layer that is woven and an outer layer than is
non-woven, or vice versa. Various combinations can be utilized without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
The attachments may further include ballast material that is attached to or
retained within the fluid pervious bag. Basically, the ballast is attached
to the closed end of the fluid pervious bag such that when installed onto
a drainage hose of a stockpiling barge, the closed end is weighted down
into the body of water.
Any suitable ballast material can be used for purposes of weighing down the
closed end of the fluid pervious bag. Exemplary types of ballast include,
without limitation, lengths of steel chain (from less than 1/8 inch to
over 3/4 inch) and steel cable (from less than 3/4 inch to over 11/2
inches in diameter). Chains and cables of greater or lesser diameter may
be used to meet the specific requirements of a project design. To secure
the ballast internally of or externally of the fluid pervious bag, wire
ties, plastic ties, quick-release couplers, or any other suitable means
can be used.
The attachments may further include, either as an integrally connected
component or as a separable component, means for securing the open end of
the fluid pervious bag about a drainage hose. The means for securing can
include, without limitation: ropes, straps, or other forms of lashing; and
clamps of various types, such as spring-biased clamps and adjustable ring
clamps. Regardless of the type of securing means employed, the securing
means should be sufficient to prevent water from flowing through the open
end of the fluid pervious bag. That is, the open end should be secured
about the drainage hose in a manner whereby substantially all fluid
entering the fluid pervious bag from the drainage hose will exit the fluid
pervious bag through its flexible fabric material rather than the open end
(when secured to the drainage hose).
The attachments may further include one or more straps connected to the
fluid pervious bag adjacent to the open end thereof. The one or more
straps are intended to be coupled to support wires that will take any load
off of the connections between the drainage hose and the drainage holes
(on the barge) and between the drainage hose and the attachment. The one
or more straps are preferably nylon straps of sufficient dimension and
durability to accommodate the loads applied thereto. Connection between
the straps and the flexible fabric material used to form the fluid
pervious bag is preferably made by stitching, although other forms of
connection, such as heat fusion or sonic welding can be utilized.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an attachment 10 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The attachment 10
includes a fluid pervious bag 12 that is formed of a geosynthetic material
of the type described above. The bag 12 is constructed by folding a
rectangular sheet onto itself and simply preparing a sewn seam 14 along
one end 16 (forming the closed end) and the lengthwise side 18. At the
open end 20, a channel 22 is formed by an annular sewn seam 24. Using
either a single opening or, as shown, a pair of openings 26,26', a cord 28
is provided within channel 22 such that its ends extend respectively from
the openings 26,26'. The attachment 10 also includes a ballast 30 (in the
form of a length of chain) that is shown resting in the fluid pervious bag
12 at its closed end 16, and a pair of straps 32,32' that are connected to
the geosynthetic material via a sewn connection.
In use, shown in FIG. 2, the attachment 10 is connected to the end of a
drainage hose 40. With its open end 20 placed over the end of the drainage
hose 40, such that the end of the drainage hose is positioned internally
of the bag 12, the ends of the cord 28 are drawn around the drainage hose
40 so as to cinch the open end 20 tightly against the surface of the
drainage hose. The end of the cord 28 can be tied together to maintain the
connection between the bag 12 and the drainage hose 40. The straps 32,32'
are shown connected to cables 42,42' via quick-release couplers 44,44'.
The drainage hose 40 can be solid or flexible hose, but preferably flexible
hose. The diameter of the hose will likely depend on the expected flow
parameters, although a 4 inch diameter hose is likely to be sufficient in
most situations.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an attachment 50 according to a second embodiment
of the present invention is illustrated. The attachment 50 includes a
fluid pervious bag 52 that is formed of a geosynthetic material of the
type described above. The bag 52 has a closed end 56 and an open end 60,
with the bag being tapered from approximately its midpoint toward its open
end 60. By tapering the bag 52, it is possible to equip the bag with an
open end 60 that is sized and configured to receive a discharge hose with
little excess material. The bag 52 is constructed, for example, by joining
together two similarly shaped pieces of geosynthetic material along sewn
seams 54 about its entire perimeter except for its open end 60.
At is closed end 56, the bag 52 is provided with a tab or flap of material
61, formed by a seam 58, that includes a pair of grommets 63 that pass
therethrough. The attachment 50 also includes a ballast 70 (in the form of
a length of chain) that is connected to the bag 52 by connectors 71 of the
type described above, which pass through the grommets 63.
The attachment 50 is connected to the end of a drainage hose 40 with its
open end 60 placed over the end of the drainage hose 40 and a
spring-biased clamp 76 providing sufficient constrictive force against the
portion of the bag 52 that overlies the hose 40. As shown, the spring
biased clamp 76 is a coil-type clamp having a pair of grips or handles 78
that allow a user to adjust the inner diameter of the clamp. The clamp 76
normally has a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the
hose 40 and, upon manipulating the grips the user can enlarge the diameter
to allow for its placement over the hose 40 and bag 52. After proper
placement of the clamp, the grips are released, reducing the diameter of
the clamp 76 to the point where the clamp constricts against the portion
of the bag 52 overlying the hose 40. Although not shown in this
embodiment, it should be appreciated that bag 52 can also be provided with
straps that can engage cables as shown in FIG. 2; such straps and cables
will be necessary only when the spring clamp is unable to provide
sufficient constrictive force to prevent uncoupling of the bag/hose
connection during use.
Referring now to FIG. 4, an attachment of the present invention, e.g.,
attachment 10, is shown installed on one end of a discharge hose 40 whose
opposite end is connected to a drainage outlet 102 present at one corner
of a stockpiling barge 100. Although only one corner of the stockpiling
barge is illustrated, it should be appreciated that such a stockpiling
barge will typically include two or more outlets and, more typically, four
or more outlets (i.e., one at each corner of the barge). The stockpiling
barge 100 is also equipped with cleats or rings 104 to which are attached
the ends of cables 42,42'. The stockpiling barge 100 also includes a
bulwark 106 about the perimeter of the barge to contain the dredged
materials DM removed from the body of water. To prevent clogging of the
drainage outlet 102, a framed filter 110 is provided at a position spaced
from the outlet.
The framed filter 110 includes a rigid frame 112 secured to the inner sides
of the bulwark 106, a semi-rigid mesh screen 114 formed of, e.g., metal or
thermoplastic materials, and a sheet 116 of fluid-pervious flexible fabric
material of the type described above. The mesh screen 114 and the sheet of
flexible fabric material 116 are contiguous over substantially the entire
surface area of the filter 110. The screen 114 is shown positioned
proximal to the outlet 102 and the sheet 116 positioned distal to the
outlet 102, whereby the screen 114 effectively supports the sheet 116
against the forces applied by the mass of dredged materials DM. The
geosynthetic fabric material that forms the sheet 116 preferably has an
average pore size of about 100 to about 150 microns, which is usually
sufficient to retain larger sediment while allowing fluids and fine
sediment to pass therethrough.
In use, a crane barge will remove dredge materials (including sediment and
water) from the body of water and place the dredged materials DM onto the
stockpiling barge 100, specifically within the region defined by the
bulwark 106. As the dredged materials DM remain on the stockpiling barge
100, water and sediment will flow toward the drainage outlets 102. The
flow will first pass through the framed filter 110, which allows only
fluids and sediments finer that its pore size to pass therethrough. The
modified flow of fluid and sediments continues through the respective
drainage outlet 102 and into discharge hose 40, which carries the flow
into the region internal of the fluid pervious bag 12. While most
sediments are retained within the internal region of the fluid pervious
bag 12, water and only a small percentage of the fine dredge materials
(that are smaller than the pore size) pass through the flexible fabric
material that forms the bag 12.
Once a bag 12 becomes substantially or completely filled with retained
sediments, the attachment 10 and drainage hose 40 can be brought onto the
deck of the stockpiling barge 100 (e.g., by a crane) so that the means for
securing can be removed and a new attachment 10 placed onto the end of the
drainage hose 40.
By virtue of controlling the flow of sediments from the barge runoff, it is
possible to control not only sediments per se, but also organic and
inorganic materials that are not dissolved in the runoff water. Exemplary
organic contaminants, include, without limitation, PCBs, pesticides,
tributyl-tin, polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Inorganic materials include,
without limitation, heavy metals. By controlling or preventing the flow of
organic and inorganic contaminants back in to the water, it is intended to
reduce the concentration of such contaminants that would, but for the
attachment of the present invention, flow with the runoff water back into
a body of water.
Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of
illustration, it is understood that such detail is solely for that
purpose, and variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is
defined by the following claims.
*
