2013 Battelle Conference Presentation Abstract-KAPL Project Improvements Made Since 2011

Improvements to Sediment Remediation and Zebra Mussel 

Removal Technology Results from a Confined Space Project at 

Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) since 2011

Thomas J. Kryzak (tomkryzak@gmail.com)

(AIR & EARTH LLC, Altamont, NY)

The operation of industrial and commercial water withdrawals from our rivers, lakes and water  ways have produced sediment traps in inlet channels leading to pump house galleys. Much of the sediment is contaminated and has invasive species as well. According to the EPA “dredging techniques have not changed much for over 40 years”, this leaves one option, create new technology. Many of the inlet channels pose challenges that standard dredging cannot meet, confined space issues, narrow or limited access and equipment constraints.

The project goal was to design a custom sediment remediation and zebra mussel removal process for the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY at the US NAVY’S KAPL site which is administered by Bechtel and would conform to the NYS DEC permit regulations. The KAPL site is located east of the city of Schenectady, NY and on the Mohawk River which flows easterly into the Hudson River which makes its way south to NY City.

This project design process would deal with a crane operator working blindly from a parking lot, behind a pump house, 50 feet from view of the river and dealing with a 55 foot elevation change from the river bank to the water making it necessary to lower by crane all supplies and equipment.

A 210 foot pipeline run for the collection of the sediment was installed leading to sealed decanting dumpsters powered by a truck mounted vacuum system. Working overhead of the inlet channel with fall protection and lanyards workers navigated the limited overhead and access space. A confined space entry space permit and air testing was required thru out the project.

The project design included the use of a 3 man dive team in the inlet channel guiding the operation by radios using a new patented process that confines the sediment and uses water/air injectors to agitate and suspend the sediment within the unit which is then vacuumed out to sealed decanting dumpsters.

A new patent pending air assist lift process was designed that aids the sediment slurry to make the vertical lift greater than the 25 foot physical lift that a vacuum can achieve. Each 30 yard decanting dumpster was filled in 12 minutes with the contaminated water being sent to an onsite water collection site.

This project was completed in 4 hours compared to the 3 days needed in the past to complete a partial sediment removal that took place in the past. Sediment depths ranging from 4 ft deep at the pump house to 7 ft at the river inlet channel entrance were removed completely.

No re-suspension, releases or turbidity plumes were recorded thru out the project while meeting the scope of work “to remove all sediment, silt, leaves twigs and zebra mussel shells”.