Pumped up

Damen launches latest generation of fully electric, low emission E-DOP submersible dredge pumps. The Damen DOP Submersible Dredge Pump has become something of an icon in the world of dredging. Damen Dredging first developed the DOP in the 1990s. Back then, the company was approached by a contractor with a challenging project. They needed to dredge a highway tunnel and, to get the job done, they were going to need a compact, powerful tool.

Barrow and spade

The ‘wheelbarrow and spade of dredging’, as the DOP has become known, was born. The DOP combined outstanding suction properties with a large, spherical passage, resulting in high productivity and low operational costs. At the time, no one could have known just how successful the DOP was going to be. Successful it was, however, with Damen selling over 550 units to date. 

A few years ago, Damen launched an electric version – the E-DOP – alongside its range of hydraulic pumps. Now, with sustainability firmly on the agenda and with electrification increasingly in focus in the dredging sector, Damen has relaunched the E-DOP as a cost-efficient tool suited to the modern dredging operation.

Living up to expectations

The new E-DOP range, explains Ivo van Gelder, D&P Engineer at Damen, offers the same high level of performance as its hydraulic counterparts.

“It’s the same six models, with the same dredging performance and the same look and feel. The difference is the increased efficiency an electric pump can offer.”

The hydraulic DOPs are at the top of their game, he says, and continue to represent a sound use case – particularly for contractors who already have an excavator suited to powering them.

Ivo van Gelder (D&P Engineer Dredging)

Sustainable solution

“However, with hydraulics you have friction, and with friction you’re going to lose an amount of energy. In the case of a DOP, this is 15-20%, depending on project variables. With an electric version, with no hydraulics, the higher drive efficiency results in lower, fuel consumption. As a result, you can expect to reduce CO₂ output by around 15-20%.”

The lack of hydraulics also means there is no chance of an oil spill.

“Avoiding oil spills is always important, and especially when working in water reservoirs or in the case of offshore contractors, who are working hard to avoid water contamination.”

The E-DOP is also much quieter in operation than a hydraulic pump. As such, it is well suited for use in residential or environmentally sensitive areas.

Future ready

In terms of sustainable performance, the electric pump is well prepared for the future. It can be plugged directly into the grid and Damen has also demonstrated the suitability of the E-DOP to run on batteries, for examples a back-up in the event of a weak grid.

In this case, the battery can be charged overnight for use the next day. The battery can also be used in combination with solar panels for lower emission operations.

With the rise of hydrogen, and increasingly methanol, technologies, there will be the possibility to power the E-DOP on clean, alternative fuels in the future.

Added efficiency

The DOP can also be connected to a standard 400 volt generator, which could be operated on low emissions bio-fuel. As well as reduced emissions, this ease of connection offers added efficiency to operators, Ivo explains.

“With no requirement to ship a hydraulic power pack, we can simply fly an E-DOP in for delivery anywhere in the world in the fastest possible timeframe. The pump is designed for transportation, along with all associated equipment, in a standard container. On arrival, it can be simply plugged into a rented generator and work can commence immediately.”

To ensure the optimal rapidity, Damen is currently constructing a number of E-DOPs for stock.

Standard. Proven. Fast.

“This is a typical example of the Damen philosophy in action. We  build standard, proven solutions in anticipation of orders. In this way, we can provide our clients with the tools they require as soon as they need them.”

Additionally, the E-DOP has much lower maintenance requirements than a hydraulic pump.

“There’s no oil to replace, no filters to change. The E-DOP is very easy to maintain,” states Ivo.

Swiss army knife of dredging

It’s also versatile in the extreme. The E-DOP features an easily exchangeable suction head with a practical flange connection for rapid mobilisation. Options available include cutter heads, mining heads, bed levellers, barge unloaders and augur heads.

Damen already has a number of examples of the E-DOP in action, Ivo explains.

“We’re currently building a Shoalbuster 2711 Water Injection Dredger (WID). In place of the usual submersible jets, the vessel will feature an E-DOP 450 pump mounted on the dredge frame. The E-DOP will provide 4000m³/h capacity, ensuring optimal efficiency and low operating costs.”

The E-DOP is also ideal for mining and barge unloading – stationary operations where there is typically a reliable power source. A further option is to use the E-DOP as a booster station.

“In this case, you would use the pump in combination with, for example, a Soil Pumping Station. The soil mixer would harvest the soil and the DOP would empty it. The advantage here is that you don’t have to invest in a dedicated booster station. And, once the project is completed, you have a flexible tool you can use for something else.”

Power & pump = Zero emissions

Another option is to use the E-DOP to maintain hydropower dams.

“Here you have the power and the pump in the same location, with access to clean electricity enabling zero emissions operations.”

Damen’s business model is to go beyond the delivery of a single product. In fact, the DOP is itself an example of the company’s approach to providing a total dredging solution with discharge piping and dredging instrumentation.

“If required, we can also provide a generator set, as well as an electrical jet water set. As a total service provider, we are able to deliver a complete turnkey package, and to continue to give support throughout the lifecycle of our products,” concludes Ivo.