Transport Vessel Hopper Chute for Land Reclamation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current land reclamation methods using dredgers are inefficient in transporting and unloading dredged material, leading to high transportation costs and prolonged unloading times.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a supply vessel, transport vessel, and delivery vessel system, where the transport vessel has a hopper with a chute and valve assembly for fluid connection with water, allowing for efficient transfer and unloading of dredged material, and the use of water jets to fluidize material for faster discharge, reducing unloading time by at least 50%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If dredged material is stored in cargo hold and pumped out at destination, then material can be transported to distant locations, but unloading time is prolonged and transportation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unloading process is segmented into two stages: (1) rapid gravity discharge through bottom chutes for bulk material, and (2) controlled pumping for precise placement. This segmentation allows the majority of material to be unloaded quickly without pumping, significantly reducing unloading time while maintaining transportation capability to distant locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two unloading modes: gravity-based discharge when speed is prioritized, and pump-based discharge when controlled placement is needed. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between unloading speed and placement precision, resolving the contradiction between transportation distance and unloading time.
2Quantity of substance
If dredged material is pumped out at destination, then material can be delivered to land reclamation sites, but transportation costs and unloading time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper is pre-filled with dredged material at the dredging location, and the bottom chutes are pre-positioned. When reaching the destination, unloading can immediately begin through gravity discharge without requiring setup or assembly, significantly improving unloading efficiency while maintaining the ability to deliver large quantities to remote locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic pumps for controlled material discharge when needed, but primarily relies on gravity-based hydraulic flow through bottom chutes for rapid unloading. This hybrid approach maintains high productivity by minimizing pump usage while ensuring complete material delivery.
3Ease of operation
If valve assembly with movable valve is used to control chute closure, then material discharge can be controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex valve assembly and movable valve mechanism are extracted from the main hopper structure and positioned as separate, modular components at the bottom of the hopper. This extraction simplifies the main hopper design while providing controlled discharge capability through the separated valve system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operational control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly reduces transportation costs and unloading time by enabling the transport of larger quantities of dredged material and improving the efficiency of land reclamation processes.
Implementation Method 1
the use of water jets to fluidize material for faster discharge, reducing unloading time by at least 50%
Data Source
Figure 1~2C
Figure 3
Figure 4A
AI summary
Method for reclaiming land at a location of land reclamation using a supply vessel, a transport vessel (1) and a delivery vessel, wherein the transport vessel (1) is provided with a hull and at least a hopper (25) for containing dredged material, wherein the at least one hopper (25) is provided with a chute (27) extending through the bottom of the hull, wherein the method comprises by means of the supply vessel reclaiming dredged material from a submarine seabed, from the supply vessel transferring the dredged material to the at least one hopper (25) of the transport vessel (1), by means of the transport vessel (1) transporting the dredged material stored in the hopper (25) to a depot situated further away, and via the chute dumping the dredged material in the depot.