Technologically advanced software and hardware controls the dredge, displaying all required process and alarm information, while also logging production data for later evaluation. If you are looking for the most modern fully integrated monitoring and control system for a new build or an overhaul, VOSTA LMG is your experienced partner.
Today contractors require dredges with the most advanced and integrated monitoring and control systems. VOSTA LMG provides a full program of reliable automation hardware and software, including all the necessary instrumentation to ensure complete control over the dredging process, eliminate repetitive duties and provide extensive information on the environment. This allows operators to concentrate on the top priority - the best possible production at the lowest possible cost. Technological capabilities include multimedia techniques and real-time monitoring.
Enquiries: components@vostalmg.com
Dredge monitoring system (DMS)
The DMS is an integrated monitoring system available both for refits and newly built dredgers. The DMS monitors the complete dredging equipment and is customised to meet customer requirements. A typical DMS constellation consists of:
- Suction pipe position indicator
- Draft and load monitoring
- Production monitoring
- Process monitoring for:
- Status of dredge valves, jet valves and flushing valves
- Status of the dredge- and jet pumps
- Status of the bottom doors/valves
- Status of the hydraulic system
- Alarm monitoring and data logging
Typically the implementation of the DMS does not influence the existing control system. It is designed to act as independent system, collecting all necessary data for its calculation and representation tasks. Depending on the size and complexity of the dredge, an appropriate design for a highly integrated Dredge Monitoring System is developed. Fibre optic and industrial interfaces using modern networks techniques are used to connect decentralised process interfaces with centralised controlling units and human interfaces. Needless to say that, if required, applicable control functionality can be integrated into our system to fulfil tasks such as automatic light mixture overboard or dredge pump speed control.
If you are looking for a modern monitoring system for your dredge, displaying the complete dredging application in a clear manner on several displays, the DMS should be your first and best choice. Let VOSTA LMG take care of the total scope of work, including design, construction, installation, commissioning and training.
Dredge control and monitoring system (DCMS)
These days automation takes on an ever increasing role in performing the various tasks in the dredging world. In the past each task was realised by a separate controller to fulfil a certain job, which lead to a large number of different units, each with its own operational philosophy. Today VOSTA LMG integrates all these tasks into one system with a clearly defined human interface. Dredging is a business where real time is real money. Every unproductive hour means lost profits for operators. So VOSTA LMG provides smart solutions for safe, highly efficient, precise and easy to handle dredge operations. VOSTA LMG's formula for these systems are: Safety, Efficiency, Precision & User Acceptance.
Safety
The DCMS supplies essential information about how the dredge functions and the environmental influences which can affect this process. It shows all incoming information and simultaneously controls all relevant functions. Good visibility of equipment (Mimic Pages), instruments and controls guarantees a safe and smooth dredging process.
Efficiency
Real-time production monitoring and automated operation of dredge equipment support the operator in maintaining the highest possible production.
Precision
Real-time monitoring and tracking of primary dredge tools ensure continuous and precise control of dredging.
User Acceptance
ETL (easy-to-learn) and ETU (easy-to-use) principles drive development of the user interface, which is always done in close cooperation with operators.
All this results in a highly integrated Dredge Control and Monitoring System with decentralised process interfaces, centralised controlling units and human interfaces. The DCMS is available for new vessels as well as for refits. It combines all required monitoring and control functions of the complete dredging installation by means of different, task-oriented mimic diagrams and will be designed to the customer needs.
Depending on the type of automation, the visualisation system is either a stand-alone system or has a client-server structure. For maximum reliability, redundant systems are available as well. The mimics show the status of the equipment in real time. The mode is shown by means of different colours. All relevant process data are shown in bar graphs or numeric values. The operation is done mainly by a trackball or function keys. The trackball is again used to click the appropriate symbols, which change in colour and start to flash to confirm their function. Click here for main features.
Main features
Control and monitoring system includes:
- Process control
- Automatic functions such as:
- Automatic poor mixture overboard
- Automatic control of overflow
- Dredge pump speed control (flow control)
- Automatic draghead depth control
- One lever operation of pipes
- Automatic angle control of the lower pipe
- Suction pipe transverse angle control
- Automatic swell compensator
- Hydraulic power management
- Sequences like:
- Dredging
- Dumping
- Hopper dewatering
- Discharging with one or two dredge pumps
- Degassing
- Alarm and data logging, trending
- Integrated maintenance and service tools
- Dredge control desk and PLC cabinets
- System networks
Suction pipe position indication
Nowadays there is fierce competition on the world dredging market to win tenders for dredging contracts. In order to be competitive, a dredge must perform with a high level of efficiency. Failure to meet project targets can lead to difficulties with the client however, overdredging reduces profits. For efficient dredging, VOSTA LMG offers various side suction pipe measurement systems.
The suction pipe positioning indicator (SPPI) calculates and displays the position of the suction pipe with reference to the ship's side and the water line. The position calculation is performed using the information supplied by angle sensors mounted on the pipe or the uncoiled rope length of the winch with the respective transverse angle of the rope. Typically two views of the side suction pipe are displayed on the screen. These are the side elevation view and the plan view. The side elevation view provides a representation of the pipe giving an indication of the draghead depth and pipe vertical angles. The plan view gives an indication of the position of the pipe in relation to the ship side and of the pipe horizontal angles.
The mimic also shows bar graphs and values for the dredging depth below the water line and below the keel, the position of the draghead relative to the ship's side and the various horizontal and vertical angles of the respective pipes. Additionally the system warns the operator in case of a dangerous pipe position. Interfaces to various survey systems are also available, as well as the possibility of internal or external data logging.
Options
- with 2 submersible inclinometers for the side suction pipe including underwater cables and connectors, trunnion draft sensor and pipe on deck sensors showing the side view of the pipe only
- with 2 submersible angle transmitters and 2 submersible inclinometers for the side suction pipe including underwater cables and connectors, trunnion draft sensor and pipe on deck sensors for showing top and side view of the pipe
- with 3 rope length sensors for the trunnion, intermediate and draghead winches, 2 rope transverse angle sensors for the intermediate and draghead ropes, swell compensator position sensor, trunnion draft sensor, ships heel sensor, pipe on-deck sensors for showing top and side view of the pipe
Draught and load calculator
The Draft and Load Calculator is used for continuous, quantitative determination of the dredged material. The system provides the operator with a quick and complete overview of the status of the ship (draught, trim, heel and hopper level), the operational data (displacement, load, solid) and the operation mode. The measured and calculated data are shown on a dedicated screen in a clear manner, displaying all relevant data.
With this system the operator can easily decide when the target load has been reached and is informed about his daily efficiency at all times. The reports generated by the system provide a comprehensive documentation of each job. The determination of the load condition of the ship is performed using the values measured by various sensors. The draught is measured by a selection of pressure sensors and the hopper level is measured by different ultrasonic sensors. Trim is calculated from the values provided by the draft sensors. The ship's displacement and hopper volume are obtained from the tables stored in the loading computer using the draught, hopper level and trim values. The dredged material without water content (dry) is calculated using the displacement and volume values obtained from these tables and the manual inputs of the seawater, in situ and dry density.
The measured and calculated data are shown on a dedicated screen in a clear manner, displaying all relevant data.
In addition reports can printed per trip, consisting of the most important data values and the loading/unloading diagram. The main trip data is also stored for later reporting and evaluation by third party systems using office tools such as Excel or Access. VOSTA LMG offers a range of DLC varying in accuracy and accordingly in price.
Draught measuring system
The micro computer controlled draught measuring system measures and monitors the ship's draught's contents continuously.
All data, parameter, measuring values etc. arc indicated on an LCD display located in the controlling unit. An integrated keyboard makes the selection of the individual draught points and the system's operation very easy. The controlling unit can be mounted in a switchboard.
Following measuring values can be indicated:
- PP draught forward (Draught at perpendicular)
- PP draught aft in cm (Draught at perpendicular)
- Draught forward in cm (Draught at draught mark)
- Draught aft in cm (Draught at draught mark)
- Trim in cm
- Trim in degrees
- List in cm
- List in degrees
- Seawater density (manual input)
The draught measuring system presents alternatively on demand the true draught at the perpendiculars or the draught at the draught mark. The true draught indication is corrected automatically by measuring the ship's trim and list through an inclinometer.
Seawater density can be changed manually, all indications will be corrected automatically.
All date and values can be transmitted to computer stations and/or to the ship's monitoring system via a serial connection RS 485.
Production monitor (PM)
VOSTA LMG production monitor is available for all dredging applications. Its purpose is to assist in increasing production. Using the information from the PM data display allows the operator make the right decision at the right time. Knowing the actual density, velocity and production leads to efficient operational decisions.
The production meter comprises the density measurement, the velocity measurement, the calculator incl. display and optionally an analogue instrumentation panel.
Based on the absorption of nuclear radiation, the density measurement is performed using either Caesium or Cobalt as the radioactive source. The decision which source should be used depends on the size of the mixture pipe and the required measuring range. Whereever possible VOSTA LMG uses Caesium 137, due to it's longer half life. Today the modern scintillation counters VOSTA LMG utilises, allow using Caesium with its low radiation for large nominal diameters mixture pipes, in situations where Cobalt was necessary in the past.
The velocity measurement units (electro magnetic flow rate) are available for pipes of varying diameters, with or without liner wear detection.
The Production Monitor calculates and displays the actual production. On a 5,6" touch TFT display the actual velocity, density and the calculated wet and dry production are presented in a bar graph, as numeric values and in a time-dependent curve.
For adjustment all necessary settings can be entered directly via a dialog box on the touch screen.
