Subdredge ROV – Remote Operated Submersible Dredge 12 Inch
The 12 Inch Subdredge is a remotely operated submersible dredging system engineered for high production, deep water, and hazardous dredging environments. Designed to handle high-solids concentrations, it delivers flow rates from 1,800 to 7,000 GPM and head capabilities up to 200 feet. The unit handles solids up to 11 inches and transports 40-70% solids by weight. Rubber track propulsion enables precise, liner-safe dredging with low ground pressure, making it suitable for ponds, canals, and confined structures. Integrated sensors, cameras, lighting, and GPS positioning provide accurate control, monitoring, and safe uncrewed operation in demanding dredging conditions.
Design and Operational Benefits
- High solids pumping capability supports 40-70% solids by weight, enabling efficient removal of dense slurry, sludge, tailings, and sand mixtures without excessive dilution.
- Wide operating range delivers 1,800 to 7,000 GPM and head up to 200 feet, supporting long discharge distances and varied dredging depths.
- Large solids handling up to 11 inches reduces the risk of clogging when dredging debris-laden or mixed material environments.
- Remote-operated unmanned design removes personnel from hazardous zones, improving safety in deep, confined, or contaminated dredging sites.
- Rubber-tracked propulsion maintains low ground pressure while protecting clay, poly, and concrete liners during precision dredging.
- An integrated sensor suite monitors depth, pressure, orientation, and system status to support stable, controlled underwater operation.
- Onboard cameras and LED lighting provide clear visibility in low-light or turbid water, enabling accurate material targeting.
- GPS buoys and positioning systems enable precise tracking, repeatable dredge paths, and improved production control
Gallery
Subdredge ROV – Remote Operated Submersible Dredge 12 Inch
Technical Specifications
Performance Parameters
- Flow Capacity: 1800 – 7000 GPM
- Head Range: Up to 200 ft
- Production Rate: 500 – 600 cubic yards per hour
- Solids by Weight: 40–70%
- Max Speed: 900 RPM
- Ground Pressure: 4.2 PSI
Pump & Material Handling
- Discharge Size: 12 in
- Suction Size: 14 in
- Maximum Solids Size: Up to 11 in
- Fluid Types: Sludge, slurry, mine tailings, sand mixtures
Sensors & Monitoring
- Hull Water Intrusion Sensor: With topside audible and visual alarm
- Depth Sensor & Hydraulic Pressure Sensors
- Swing Angle Sensor
- Vessel Orientation Sensor: Pitch, roll, heading, temperature
- Cameras & Lighting: Two low-light cameras with dual LED lights
- GPS Buoy Positioning: Constant-tension buoy allows dredging up to 40 ft depth
Control System
- Wireless Controller: Handheld remote with redundant live control
- Backup System: Ruggedized laptop with application-specific software
- Safety Feature: Pneumatic lift bags for emergency retrieval
Power & Circuit Requirements
- Pump Circuit Requirements: 160 – 200 GPM at 5000 PSI (750 cc motor) from excavator auxiliary power or hydraulic power unit
- Cutterhead Circuit Requirements: 12–20 GPM at 5,000 PSI
Optional Equipment
- Acoustic imaging display for high turbidity water
- Additional lighting or cameras
- Magnetometer-type flow meter for production monitoring
- RTK GPS with USBL acoustic positioning for real-time accuracy
- Rotating cutterhead for hard compacted materials
EDDY Pump – 12 Inch Subdredge – Pump Curve
PUMP CURVE
The pump curve for the 12-Inch Subdredge shows that the system delivers high flow rates while maintaining a stable head during fully submerged dredging operations. It helps operators evaluate performance when pumping dense slurries at depth, balance production targets with discharge resistance, and confirm efficient operation when handling large solids and high solids concentrations in remote or hazardous environments.
Technical Drawings & Resources
Comparison Table
| Specification | 12-Inch Subdredge |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min Flow (GPM) | 250 | 450 | 800 | 1200 | 1800 |
| Max Flow (GPM) | 1200 | 2000 | 4000 | 5000 | 7000 |
| Max Head (ft) | 160 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Discharge Size | 4 in | 6 in | 8 in | 10 in | 12 in |
| Suction Size | 6 in | 8 in | 10 in | 12 in | 14 in |
| Max Solids Handling | 3 in | 5 in | 7 in | 9 in | 11 in |
| Max Speed (RPM) | 1800 | 1800 | 1800 | 1800 | 900 |
| Solids by Weight | 40–70% | 40–70% | 40–70% | 40–70% | 40–70% |
| Production Rate (yd³/hr) | 75–150 | 150–200 | 250–300 | 300–350 | 500–600 |
| Max Horsepower (HP) | 125 | 250 | 500 | 500 | 1000 |
| Pump Circuit Requirements | 32–35 GPM @ 5000 PSI (80cc) | 75 GPM @ 4000 PSI (180cc) | 130–150 GPM @ 5000 PSI (500cc) | 120–160 GPM @ 5000 PSI (500cc) | 160–200 GPM @ 5000 PSI (750cc) |
| Cutterhead Circuit Requirements | 12–15 GPM @ 5000 PSI | 12–20 GPM @ 5000 PSI | 12–20 GPM @ 5000 PSI | 12–20 GPM @ 5000 PSI | 12–20 GPM @ 5000 PSI |
Applications Across Heavy Industries
Marine and subsea dredging
The 12 Inch Subdredge is well-suited for deep water and subsea dredging projects that require precision, stability, and uncrewed operation. It supports sediment removal in navigation channels, offshore structures, and submerged assets where diver-based or manned dredging is unsafe or impractical.
Mining and tailings management
In mining environments, the system is used to dredge dense tailings, slurry, and waste material from ponds and containment areas. Its ability to transport high-solids concentrations enables operators to recover capacity, manage waste efficiently, and reduce reliance on mechanical excavation.
Ports and harbor maintenance
The Subdredge enables controlled dredging beneath docks, vessels, and port infrastructure where access is restricted. Its compact tracked design and remote operation allow maintenance dredging without interrupting vessel traffic or requiring large dredge spreads.
Environmental and remediation projects
For contaminated-sediment and hazardous-site cleanup, the unmanned Subdredge improves safety by removing operators from exposure zones. Precise control and linear safe operation support compliant material removal in environmentally sensitive areas.
Water and wastewater treatment
The unit is commonly used to remove sludge from treatment ponds, lagoons, and basins. High solids-handling capacity improves cleaning efficiency while minimizing water use and downtime for treatment facilities.
Industrial canals and reservoirs
In canals and reservoirs with clay, poly, or concrete liners, the Subdredge provides controlled sediment removal without damaging liner systems. Low ground pressure and tracked mobility make it effective for infrastructure in confined or shallow water.
Energy and power generation
The Subdredge supports dredging around intake structures, cooling ponds, and submerged power facilities. Reliable solids handling helps maintain flow capacity and operational efficiency in power generation and energy infrastructure.
Port maintenance dredging beneath active berths
Case Study
The Problem
Sediment accumulation beneath active berths and dock structures gradually reduced navigational draft, limiting vessel access and increasing the risk of grounding. Traditional dredging options required large cutter dredges, extensive support equipment, or diver-assisted operations, all of which posed safety concerns and caused significant disruption to port traffic and berth scheduling. The port required a solution capable of operating in tight spaces while maintaining daily operations.
The Solution
The 12 Inch Subdredge was selected for its remotely operated design, high solids pumping capability, and compact tracked mobility. Deployed beneath docks and alongside moored vessels, the system used onboard cameras, lighting, and sensor feedback to target sediment buildup precisely. High-density slurry was pumped efficiently without excessive water dilution, allowing controlled dredging in confined areas without removing ships or closing berths.
The Result
Draft depths required for berthing were restored across multiple berths while maintaining continuous port operations. The unmanned approach eliminated diver exposure, improved overall safety, and reduced project risk. The port achieved shorter maintenance cycles, lower operational disruption, and a more predictable dredging schedule, supporting long-term berth availability and vessel throughput.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 12 Inch Subdredge designed for?
The 12 Inch Subdredge is designed for remotely operated dredging in deep water, confined spaces, and hazardous environments. It is commonly used in applications requiring uncrewed operation, precision control, and high-solids pumping to remove sediment, slurry, or sludge safely.
How much material can the 12 Inch Subdredge pump?
The system operates within a flow range of approximately 1,800 to 7,000 GPM and can produce 500 to 600 cubic yards of material per hour, depending on material type, depth, and discharge distance.
What type of material can the Subdredge handle?
The Subdredge is built to pump dense slurry, sludge, mine tailings, sand mixtures, and sediment. It can handle solids up to 11 inches in size and transport material with solids concentrations ranging from 40 to 70 percent by weight.
Is the 12 Inch Subdredge suitable for liner safe dredging?
Yes, the Subdredge is specifically designed for liner-safe dredging applications. Its rubber-tracked system applies low ground pressure, allowing it to operate on clay, poly, and concrete liners without damaging the underlying surface.
How is the Subdredge controlled during operation?
The unit is operated remotely via a handheld wireless controller, with a ruggedized laptop interface. Operators receive real-time feedback from onboard cameras, lighting, and sensor systems, enabling precise control even in low-visibility or turbid water.
What safety features are integrated into the system?
The Subdredge includes water intrusion sensors, depth and pressure monitoring, pitch and roll orientation sensors, and redundant control systems. These features support safe uncrewed operation and provide early warnings if abnormal conditions occur.
Can the 12 Inch Subdredge operate at significant depths?
Yes, the Subdredge is designed for deep-dredging applications and can operate at depths up to approximately 40 feet using its GPS buoy and constant-tension umbilical system. Greater depths may be supported with project-specific configurations.
What power options are available for the 12 Inch Subdredge?
The system can be powered hydraulically or electrically. Hydraulic operation typically uses excavator auxiliary power or a hydraulic power unit, providing flexibility for deployment across different job sites and equipment setups.
Is real-time positioning and tracking available?
Yes, the Subdredge can be equipped with GPS-based positioning and optional RTK GPS with acoustic tracking. This allows operators to monitor dredge location, maintain consistent dredge paths, and improve production tracking and documentation.
What industries commonly use the 12 Inch Subdredge?
The Subdredge is widely used in ports and harbors, mining and tailings management, environmental remediation, water and wastewater treatment, industrial canals and reservoirs, and energy infrastructure maintenance, where safe, precise, high-solids dredging is required.
HD (Heavy Duty) Slurry Pumps / Dredge Equipment
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