Loading and unloading of solid substance having high degree of water content

Abstract

A method for loading and unloading of a solid substance having a high degree of water content from a cargo hold of a bulk carrier is disclosed. The degree of water content of the solid substance is such that a layer of liquid is formed above the solid substance. In accordance with the method, a predetermined volumetric ratio of solid substance and water is pumped out of the cargo hold by a pump that is seated on a float freely movable on the layer of liquid, at the same time as water is fed into the cargo hold at a volumetric rate substantially the same as the volumetric rate of water being pumped out.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A float including a pump station for moving a solid substance having a high degree of water content into and out of, a cargo hold of a bulk carrier, the pump station having a suction inlet and an outlet, wherein at least the suction inlet is moveable in a substantially vertical plane with respect to a surface of the float adjacent to a layer of water when floating on the layer of water.  
     
     
         2 . The float according to  claim 1 , wherein the entire pump station is moveable in a substantially vertical plane with respect to a surface of the float adjacent to a layer of water when floating on the layer of water.  
     
     
         3 . The float according to  claim 2 , further comprising a stationary guiding column and wherein the pump station is carried on a beam that is moveable along the vertical axis of the stationary guiding column.  
     
     
         4 . The float according to  claim 3 , wherein the pump station comprises a motor in driving connection with a pump.  
     
     
         5 . The float according to  claim 4 , wherein the driving connection between the motor and pump comprises a transmission and a support.  
     
     
         6 . The float according to  claim 4 , wherein the pump is mud/sand pump and the float includes a plurality of downwardly directed water jet nozzles on a surface adjacent to the water when floating on a layer of water.  
     
     
         7 . A method of loading a solid substance having a high degree of water content into a cargo hold of a bulk carrier, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a float according to  claim 1  within the cargo hold;    b) loading a solid substance having a high degree of water content into the cargo hold; and    c) pumping water out of the cargo hold with the pump, wherein the volumetric rate of water entering the cargo hold in step b is substantially the same as the volumetric rate of water being pumped out of the cargo hold, and wherein the volumetric ratio of water and solid substance entering the cargo hold is such that the solid substance settles and a layer of water is formed over the solid substance.