Damen introduces electrically-driven dredge pump
Damen Dredging Equipment has unveiled its new electrically-driven E-DOP pump, the company said in its press release. The DAMEN DOP pump has enjoyed success in the dredging industry since its introduction 25 years ago. It offers a wear-resistant, robust tool suited to diverse dredging projects. The new, electrical DOP pump is every bit as capable as the hydraulic predecessor; this development gives the DOP pump added versatility to be more applicable to even more projects.
Damen Product Director Dredging, Olivier Marcus: “When DAMEN developed the DOP pump, over a quarter of a century ago, we did so with much collaboration from dredging contractors. As a result of their input, the DOP has gone on to become hugely successful in sand mining, operating in confined spaces and on small-scale work. This electrical version also answers calls from within the industry.”
The new system draws on recent advances in electric motor technology. The E-DOP provides dredging operators the flexibility to carry out projects where clean and quiet operations are required. Possible applications include hydroelectric dams, where the power is already present, residential areas where low noise levels are vital or environmentally sensitive areas where the use of oils is not allowed.
Damen Dredging Equipment Project Manager Erwin Muller explains: “We have delivered electric pumps in the past. While they have been very clean – an advantage for projects with environmental concerns to address – they have also been large, heavy and expensive and have involved replacing the entire pump. Both electric motors and frequency converters are now smaller and cheaper, so, while we have had the E-DOP in development for some time now, we have been waiting for this technology to catch up with us. This advancing technology of permanent magnet motors combined with our standardisation of components have minimised costs and optimises the design.”
The E-DOP boasts a 93% drive efficiency. Due to swift connection to power connectors, operators can install the system in their projects as a ‘plug and play’ configuration. Using wireless control connections, the whole system can be remote-controlled from a distance. The newly-introduced E-DOP pump can be powered by a generator set, resulting in quiet operations.
Project-by-project flexibility
Easy maintenance is also a big advantage, points out DAMEN Design and Proposal Engineer Mark van ’t Veld: “There are no wear-causing fluids. And electric motors have fewer moving parts. So, an electric motor maintains its efficiency for longer. And the fact that we are able to replace the hydraulic motor with an electric one means that a client can choose whether to use a hydraulic or an electric version of the DOP pump on a project-by-project basis. “In this way, existing clients will also be able to take advantage of this new technology.”
Just as the hydraulically driven DOP has done for the past decades, the E-DOP is likely to fan out over the globe on any kind of dredging job imaginable.
About DAMEN Dredging Equipment
Damen Dredging Equipment is a specialised supplier of dredging equipment and dredging instrumentation & automation. Fully owned by DAMEN Shipyards Group and based in Nijkerk, the Netherlands, the company has over 75 years of experience in the construction of dredging equipment serving the worldwide dredging industry. The dredging tools are all built to specific customer requirements, making use of a wide range of standard equipment.
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 33 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide. DAMEN has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept DAMEN is able to guarantee consistent quality.
Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, DAMEN vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.
Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.
For nearly all vessel types DAMEN offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. DAMEN also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of sixteen repair and conversion yards of which twelve are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating and (covered) drydocks, the largest of which is 420 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,350 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyage.
