Submarine Sand Recovery System: Keauhou Bay Field Test.

摘要

A small portable ocean sand mining system was field tested near Keauhou Bay,Hawaii using state and local industry matching funds. The purpose of the tests was to assess the technical,environmental,and economic feasibility of the system for beach restoration and other commercial applications. The basic component of the system,the suction probe,burrows beneath the sand surface to extract sand;it was found to function well to an overall depth of 85ft and in seas of up to 6ft. Although the probe created more turbidity than had been expected,due to the way in which sand collapsed into the craters,there appears at first glance to have been no detrimental effects to the environment due to turbidity. The projected costs for sand produced by this system are estimated at between $3.00and $5.50per cubic yard,depending upon the volume to be recovered.