The Amoras Project: Dewatering and Reuse of the Antwerp Port Sediments
Type:
Presented during:
WODCON XX: "The Art of Dredging" - 2013, Brussels, Belgium
Authors:
Van Esbroeck M, Dockx J, Van de Velde K, Pensaert S, Pynaert K, Horckmans L
Abstract: In the Port of Antwerp an amount of approximately 500,000 tonnes dry matter of harbour sediments needs to be dredged every year. Until the present day the sediments have been disposed of on several containment sites on land or in underwater disposal cells. Since the disposal capacity of these sites was insufficient and no expansion was possible due to the lack of space, the Flemish Government in association with the Port of Antwerp have constructed AMORAS, an installation for mechanical dewatering of these sediments, using the dewatering technique with membrane filter presses.
To further increase the sustainability of the AMORAS process, and to increase the lifetime of the storage facility, valorisation of the non contaminated filter cakes is considered. The ongoing VAMORAS-project investigates the use of the filter cakes as clay replacement in ceramic applications (expanded clay aggregates, bricks), as filler in concrete and in road construction. After initial laboratory scale investigations, semiindustrial and industrial production tests were performed, and field trials are planned. Technical properties as well as environmental impacts are assessed and compared to relevant legislation. Upon completion of the tests, a market study will be performed to gain insight into the economic opportunities and barriers.
Keywords: sediment, mechanical dewatering, filter press, filter cakes, valorization