Methods, apparatus and systems for pond remediation

Abstract

Apparatus for extended-reach remediation of a pond by removal of pumpable materials such as deposited sediment has a base and a rotatable multi-articulated boom to which a pump is connected at the distal end. The boom has a reach which exceeds the reach of conventional remediation apparatus and may be as long as 50 m or greater for reaching over obstacles between the base and the pond. The base can be stationary or it can be mobile or self-propelled for repositioning the apparatus about the perimeter of the water body or to platforms which are built within the pond and accessible by accessways when the pond is filled with water. The pump is lightweight so as not to affect the overall apparatus stability when the boom is fully extended. Geo-locating apparatus assists with mapping the remediation operation. Further, additional accessories can be connected to the end of the boom, such as fluid jets for controlling the fluid properties of the pumpable materials and a blender for shredding vegetation or other non-pumpable materials to render them pumpable.

The Embodiments in which an Exclusive Property or Privilege is claimed are Defined as Follows: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for extended reach remediation of a water body comprising:
 a base;   a multi-articulated, extendable boom extending from a distal end to a proximal end rotatably secured to the base;   a fluid conveyance conduit secured to the extendable boom and extending therealong between the distal end and proximal end of the boom; and   a slurry-capable pump supported at the distal end of the boom, the pump having a pump outlet fluidly connected to a distal end of the fluid conveyance conduit, the pump receiving pumpable material at a pump intake and pumping the pumpable material through the fluid conveyance conduit to a proximal discharge end of the conduit for discharge therefrom.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the multi-articulated boom comprises a plurality of boom segments hingedly connected therebetween, a maximum reach of a distal end of the boom being determined by a length of each of the plurality of segments. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the slurry-capable pump imposes a nominal load on the distal end of the boom, when extended from the base, for maintaining stability of the apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the slurry-capable pump is a progressing cavity type pump. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising;
 geo-locating equipment operatively connected to the pump for positioning the pump intake to minimize remediation overlap and maximize efficiency. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising outriggers operatively connected to the base for stability thereof when deployed therefrom. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a blender operatively and fluidly connected to the pump intake for rendering non-pumpable materials pumpable therethrough. 
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 one or more fluid-addition jets operatively connected to the pump intake for controlling at least a density of the slurry at the pump intake. 
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the fluid from the one or more fluid-addition jets forms the slurry with solid or semi-solid materials in the water body. 
     
     
         10 . A system for remediation comprising:
 an extended reach apparatus having
 a base; 
 a multi-articulated, extendable boom having a distal end and a proximal end rotatably secured to the base; 
 a fluid conveyance conduit secured to the extendable boom and extending therealong between the distal end and the proximal end thereof; and 
 a slurry-capable pump supported at the distal end of the boom the pump having a pump outlet fluidly connected to a distal end of the fluid conveyance conduit, the pump receiving pumpable material at a pump intake and pumping the pumpable material through the fluid conveyance conduit to a proximal discharge end of the conduit for discharge therefrom; and 
   a water body having a perimeter and containing the pumpable material therein for removal therefrom using the extended-reach apparatus.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the perimeter supports the extended reach apparatus thereon. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the water body further comprises:
 one or more platforms located within the perimeter of the water body for supporting the extended reach apparatus thereon, the one or more platforms being connected to the perimeter for access thereto. 
 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising a stable bottom of the water body for supporting the extended reach apparatus thereon when the water body is drained. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising temporary structures located on the bottom of the water body for supporting the extended reach apparatus thereon. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the base is a mobile base. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the base is a stationary base located about or within the perimeter of the water body; and
 the multi-articulated, extendable boom, the fluid conveyance conduit and the slurry-capable pump are modular components for assembling on the stationary base for forming the extended-reach apparatus. 
 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the water body is a NAUTILUS POND®, having a tangential inlet, a central outlet and a generally peripheral vortex- flow for preferential deposition of sediment about a perimeter of the pond. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising onsite processing facilities for receiving the pumpable materials from the fluid conveyance conduit at least for dewatering thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A method for remediation of a water body comprising:
 locating an apparatus having a multi-articulated, extended-reach boom for operatively supporting a slurry-capable pump at a distal end thereof at a perimeter of the water body;   manipulating the boom for moving the slurry-capable pump about the water body, the pump recovering pumpable materials therewith from the pond; and   pumping the pumpable materials from the pump to the perimeter of the pond for removal therefrom.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the perimeter of the water body exceeds the reach of the multi-articulated, extended reach boom, the method further comprising;
 relocating the apparatus to at least another location about or within the perimeter of the pond; and 
 repeating the steps of manipulating the boom for moving the pump and pumping the pumpable materials. 
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the manipulating the boom further comprises:
 manipulating the boom for moving the slurry pump in a pattern for minimizing overlap of remediation of the water body. 
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 monitoring the movement of the slurry pump about the water body for mapping the movement for minimizing overlap of remediation of the water body. 
 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 mechanically blending non-pumpable materials in the water body for rendering the non-pumpable materials pumpable. 
 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 controlling fluid properties of the pumpable materials using one or more fluid-addition jets operatively connected to an intake of the pump for rendering the non-pumpable materials pumpable.