Abstract: A method for rehabilitating a land area comprises the step of using an excavating machine to extract dirt desired to be dispersed over the land area from another area, such as a ditch. The extracted dirt is mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry is pumped to a high-pressure spray nozzle, and is then sprayed in a thin layer over the land area desired to be rehabilitated. The slurry can also be pumped to the land area at a controllable depth to achieve a desired land profile thereat.

Abstract: A method for constructing or rehabilitating a marsh or wetland comprises the step of inserting propagatable material into liquid or slurry emerging from a high-pressure spray nozzle to form a mixture. The liquid/ or slurry/propagatable material mixture is then sprayed over a marsh or wetland area desired to be constructed or rehabilitated.

Abstract: A method for distributing a dredged slurry of water and solids over a substantially large area wherein the solids may be distributed in a thin environmentally acceptable manner of uniform thickness or a land area or the bottom of a water area may be significantly raised in elevation. A plurality of aerial projectors in the form of nozzles mounted upon movable supports distribute the slurry and the supports and nozzles move over the area in a predetermined manner to produce slurry distribution as desired.

Abstract: A system for distributing a slurry of water and solids over a substantially large area wherein the solids may be distributed in a thin environmentally acceptable manner of uniform thickness or a land area or the bottom of a water area may be significantly raised in elevation. A plurality of aerial projectors in the form of nozzles mounted on vehicles distribute the slurry and the vehicle or vehicles move over the area in a predetermined manner and velocity to produce slurry distribution as desired.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the cost and environmental impact of excavating and disposing of dredging spoils resulting from the construction and/or maintenance of waterways wherein the reaction of aerially jetting a slurry is used to at least assist in effecting movement of the dredge and the spoil falls as a spray at a distance from the dredge to form a relatively wide and thin dispersal usually laterally disposed to the dredged area.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dewatering mill tailings, slimes and slurries, wherein ultra fine particles materially reduce the rate of natural dewatering and hinder their disposal in the mining and processing of phosphate, coal, potash, uranium, talc and the like. The invention is preferably carried out in a closed loop system involving the use of electrokinetic densification and substantially continuous decanting of the supernatant.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for the building or restoration of marshes and beaches wherein a slurry of solid material and water is formed at one location and pumped to a remote location for uniform distribution of the slurry over a large area to substantially increase the elevation for the purpose of building a marsh, restoring a beach, or the like. The slurry is distributed by a high pressure nozzle uniformly directing a spray which falls in a mist over the area on which the slurry is deposited to produce a significant elevational increase in the area. The nozzle may make alternate directional sweeps, or rotate in a common direction to cover a circular area, with various adjustable vertical angles and pressure variations to control distribution.

Abstract: An underwater dredging system using a power-driven shovel. The shovel is manipulated to accumulate dredged solid material in the shovel bucket and the bucket is in communication with a pump suction conduit continuously removing the dredged material from the bucket. Screens and guards prevent oversized particles from entering the suction conduit, and predetermined relationships and configurations of the bucket and the suction conduit accommodate the movements of the pivotally mounted bucket.

Abstract: A turbidity control system for dredging operations wherein turbidity adjacent the dredge head is controlled by one or more operating characteristics of the dredging operation. The dredge head includes water jets for agitating, slurrying, loosening the material being removed and directing the material toward the dredge head and control apparatus regulating the water flow into the dredge head, the direction of the jets, the rate of water removal from the head, and the rate of dredge head advancement is adjusted in accord with the turbidity to permit dredging operations within acceptable environmental limits. A turbidity sensor may be mounted adjacent the dredge head to sense the extent of turbidity existing, and the sensor may be used to automatically operate the control apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dewatering mill tailings, slimes and slurries, wherein ultra fine particles materially reduce the rate of natural dewatering and hinder their disposal in the mining and processing of phosphate, coal, potash, uranium, talc and the like. The invention is preferably carried out in a closed loop system involving the use of electrokinetic densification and substantially continuous decanting of the supernatant.

Abstract: Dredge head and method of using the same in which the solids of the interface between the consolidated soil and the water source are released as a slurry into the atmosphere adjacent the swath cut by the dredge head to deposit the solids remote from the swath.

Abstract: A rotating self-cleaning screen capable of functioning as a dredge cutterhead, and also usable to screen debris from a conduit. A motor-driven rotating drum screen having openings defined in the periphery thereof includes a debris ejector rotating about an axis parallel to the drum screen axis utilizing a plurality of teeth which synchronously extend through the screen openings at a predetermined peripheral location ejecting debris from the screen openings. Apparatus is provided for stripping the debris from the teeth, and receiving debris removed from the screen.

Abstract: An attachment for underwater dredging cutterheads mounted above and preceding the cutterhead for digging, breaking up and transferring upland material toward the cutterhead for removal thereby. The attachment includes a shaft above and preceding the dredge suction head having radially extending fingers thereon which engage and disintegrate the upland material and move the material toward the suction head. A hydraulic motor rotates the shaft, and an expansible chamber motor adjusts the shaft vertical position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the pumping of a slurry of aquatic growths being removed from lakes, rivers, canals and other waterways wherein final comminuting of the growth takes place directly adjacent the inlet impeller of the pump through the use of one or more static shear or cutting bars disposed in shearing clearance relationship with the impeller with respect to the growths being moved by the impeller and disposed between the bars and surfaces of the impeller.

Abstract: A self cleaning attachment for a propeller shaft having a gear box mounting parallel stub shafts driven in the same direction by a common gear, screw propeller surfaces on the shafts with teeth on the outer edge of each propeller surface and having weed shearing clearance with the shaft of the other surface, and stub shear bars supported in fixed relation to the box and disposed radially outward and parallel to the shafts with which the teeth also have weed shear clearance with the bars.

Abstract: A method of controlling, harvesting and handling large acreages of aquatic growths and other underwater products and materials through the use of satellite harvesters coupled to a land or water based transfer pumping station for delivery of the harvest to a remote spoil, storage or processing area.

Abstract: The invention relates to the broad subject of dewatering phosphate clay wastes and has for its primary object the drainage of existing phosphate slime settling ponds and the reclamation of the drained ponds through the use of the processed slime as a land fill having adequate drainage characteristics.Another object of the invention is to provide a processing step for phosphate slimes which will reduce the environmental impact of mining phosphate to an acceptable level.

Abstract: A dredge cutter head having mutually self-cleaning augers with a shrouded hood for nonstirring and nonclogging operation.