Methods and Systems for Processing Dredge Spoils

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.