Barge Pumping | Loading & Unloading Material | DAE Pumps

Barge Pumping Systems

Learn about the advantages of using pumps to load and unload barges and how DAE Pump can help you construct a barge pumping system.
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What is Barge Pumping

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Barge Pumping is the movement of material on or off a barge. Barges are large floating carrier vessels for hauling material. A barge pump is used when the material is fluid or a variety of solids that cannot be easily scooped or picked up. A heavy-duty pump may be connected to a crane or excavator arm and placed in the slurry for pumping the barge. Typically, the material below the water level will be scooped or pumped onto the barge. Then when ready for offloading, another pump will be used to barge pump the material to the next destination. 

This Article Includes

  • What is Barge Pumping?
  • Advantages of Using Pumps to Load and Unload a Barge
  • Constructing a Barge Pumping System by DAE Pumps
  • Industries Where Barges are Used

What is Barge Pumping?

Barge pumping is a term that is used to describe transferring material into a barge or transferring material out of a barge to another desired location.  A barge is a water-going vessel that is used to transport cargo on a waterway.  The cargo on a barge often consists of liquids, soils, slurries, vegetation, and other materials that require loading and unloading via mechanical means such as a pump or pumping system.  

An example of a barge pumping application is in dredging where a solid-laden soil material is being removed with a dredge pump affixed to an excavator, and then the material is transferred to a barge.  The barge is then transported to the desired location where the material can be removed from the barge and pumped to the exact location where the material can be either permanently located or relocated to another transporting vessel for further transport to a facility where the material can be processed or another function can be performed.

Advantages of Using Pumps to Load and Unload A Barge

Advantages of Using Pumps to Load and Unload a Barge

When it comes to loading and unloading a barge there are different types of equipment that can be used.  However, determining which equipment is best for your specific project depends on what you are trying to accomplish.  Pumps have many advantages compared to other types of equipment and can be your best option when loading or unloading a barge.  There are pump types available that are designed to pump solid-laden slurries and are a great choice for barge pump applications. 

The following are some pump benefits to be aware of:

  • Portable and easy to apply
  • Can be used for pinpoint fluid discharge accuracy.  
  • Transfer the material up to thousands of feet from barge to final destination.  
  • Self-priming pumps can be used to draw and remove material within inches of the bottom of the barge.
  • Multiple pumps can be used in unison to create a pumping system that can reduce the time required to transfer the material from the origin to the barge, and from the barge to the final destination. 

Pumps can also be sized properly so that greater flow rates can be achieved, and the pumps used can be fine-tuned specifically to suit the needs of the application.  This can result in decreased time to load or unload a barge, which can save a lot of time and money.  

How to Construct a Barge Pumping System Using DAE Pumps and An Excavator

How to Construct a Barge Pumping System Using DAE Pumps and an Excavator

DAE Pumps manufacturers premium industrial slurry pumps that are perfectly suited for loading and unloading barges.  These heavy-duty pumps can withstand the demanding environment that goes along with barge applications.  This suggested pumping system is for a dredging application and consists of two pumps and one excavator that are to be used in unison to transfer the material from the origin to the barge, and from the barge to the final destination.  

The two pumps required both serve different purposes.  One of the pumps used is a pump suitable for dredging and pumping viscous solids-laden material and has a cutter head at the tip of the pump, and the other pump is suited for transferring water specifically. 

How each pump type is to be used:

  • The dredge pump is capable of transferring viscous solid laden material will be used for the initial step of dredging and removing soil and other material located at the bottom of the waterway and transferring it to the barge.  For this part of the process, the dredge pump is affixed to the end of the boom/stick located on the excavator.  The excavator is used to maneuver the dredge pump through the bottom of the waterway that is to be dredged.  
  • Once the barge is transported to the unloading location, the dredge pump is used once again but this time to transfer the soil and other material from the barge to the desired offloading site.  
  • The water pump is used to assist the offloading of the barge by inputting water from the waterway into the dredge filled with the soil and other material.  The purpose of adding water to the soil is that the water assists and enables the pumping and transfer of the viscous solid-laden soil and other materials.  
  • Once the barge is going through the process of unloading at the final destination, both the dredge pump and the water pump are working simultaneously, one pump assisting the other as the viscous solid laden material is being transferred off the barge.

Growler Series Dredge Pumps

Considered to be one of the best dredge pumps on the market, this pump is extremely rugged and specifically designed for pumping the most abrasive slurries and solid-laden materials.  The Growler series has the ability to transfer up to 1200 cubic meters of material per hour through a 16-inch discharge.  The pump also has the ability to transfer solids up to 3-inches and material with an accumulative solids percentage of 30% without clogging.  To satisfy many different application configurations, this pump is incredibly versatile and can also be deployed with the means of a cable rather than an excavator. For pumping to a barge, the Growler dredge pump is equipped with 2 side agitators to churn up material and feed to the pump. When the Growler is in use for unloading a barge, this versatile equipment is affixed with a powerful water jetting system that breaks up material for suction. The water jetting system provides security and safety in working with these massive barges. 

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Industries Where Barges are Used

Industries Where Barges are Used

Although the barge industry is smaller than other types of transportation-related industries, considering the unique environment that sectional barges operate in, they are a required piece of equipment for completing many different tasks within a water or marine environment.  

  • Transportation
  • Construction
  • Dredging
  • Mining
  • Oil & Gas
  • Maritime
  • Environmental 
  • Shoreline Excavation
  • Barge Bridge

DAE Pumps – Going Above and Beyond!

DAE Pumps is a premium industrial slurry pumps and dredge equipment manufacturer.  Offering unparalleled performance for many different industries, DAE Pumps are ideally suited for Oil & Gas, Mining, Construction, Marine, Municipal, Water & Wastewater, and many other industries.  Along with the high-quality pumps DAE Pumps offers, we also provide world-class service to assist you no matter what the pumping challenge.  

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All pumps by DAE Pumps are made of the highest quality materials; they are durable, long-lasting, and provide value beyond your expectations.  No matter your industry, DAE Pumps has a pump specifically suited for your needs.

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