HYDRAVATOR, is a unique piece of equipment designed and built by East Dive Ltd. at their Fredericton, New Brunswick facility. It is simply, a high flow, low head floating pump that powers a custom underwater vacuum tool, capable of moving large quantities of material from one location to another on the bottom.

The business end or vacuum head is inherently safe for diver operation as there are no moving parts. The vacuum head can be used several hundred feet from the surface power unit, enabling the floating equipment to be positioned for maximum operating efficiency. The discharge end of the vacuum tool can accommodate extensions to facilitate a greater distance between the excavation and the spoil pile. Spoil can be deposited in a designated area or into containment bags for removal from the watercourse.

 

 The HYDRAVATOR system is less invasive than most other underwater excavation tools as it moves the excavated material horizontally, minimizing the exposure of the material to the water column. Suspended solids are therefore minimized.

 

Further, this hands-on methodology eliminates the risk of damaging infrastructure being excavated or buried as there are no excavator buckets, barge spuds, heavy anchors, etc. to inadvertently enter the repair zone. The compact design of the vacuum head and discharge pipe allows for intervention in locations such as, inlet or outfall pipes, pits, and sumps that would otherwise be inaccessible by alternative methods.

 

Mobilization of the system can be rapid. Excavation of a water or sewer main break can begin within hours of notification and the entire system can be containerized for long distance shipping. East Dive Ltd. maintains two HYDRAVATOR systems so a full redundancy capability ensures a timely response to urgent incidents.

 

For further information, contact John or David Mc Fadzen at,  eastdive@nbnet.nb.ca.