A Combined CFD, Theoretical, and Experimental Approach for Improved Hydrodynamic Performance of a Clam Dredge System
This paper addresses the need for an integrated approach to develop an improved clam dredge system. Current designs often rely on empirical methods, resulting in a disconnect between theoretical models, computational simulations, and experimental validation. To bridge this gap, the study integrates...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/7/1305 |
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| author | Rui You Nathan H. Kennedy |
| author_facet | Rui You Nathan H. Kennedy |
| author_sort | Rui You |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper addresses the need for an integrated approach to develop an improved clam dredge system. Current designs often rely on empirical methods, resulting in a disconnect between theoretical models, computational simulations, and experimental validation. To bridge this gap, the study integrates computational fluid dynamics (CFD), experimental tests, and analytical methods to develop a clam dredge system. Firstly, the paper introduces an analytical tool that facilitates decision making by evaluating pump parameters, and to determine the operating point for various hose and nozzle parameters. This guides the parameter selection of pump, hose and jets for maximum performance. Secondly, CFD is utilized to analyze flow behavior, enabling the design of internal nozzle geometries that minimize head losses and maximize the scouring effect. A full-scale experimental measurement was conducted to validate computational results. Furthermore, a replica manifold is constructed using 3D printing and tested, demonstrating improvements in jet speed with both original and new nozzle designs. Analytical results indicate that increasing hose length reduces BHP, flow rate, and jet velocity, while increasing hose or jet diameter boosts BHP and flow but reduces jet speed due to pressure drops. Switching pumps reduced power consumption by 10.5% with minimal speed loss. The CFD analysis optimized nozzle design, reducing jet loss and enhancing efficiency. The proposed slit nozzle design reduces the loss coefficient by 85.24% in small-scale runs and by 83% in full-scale runs compared to the original circular jet design. The experiments confirmed the pressure differences between the CFD and experimental tests are within 10%, and demonstrated that rectangular jets increase speed by 9% and seafloor force by 19%. This paper improved the hydrodynamic design of the clam dredge system, and provides a framework for future dredge system designs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-db3697dac12148f487e1a2400d75f0c6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-1312 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-db3697dac12148f487e1a2400d75f0c62025-08-20T03:58:26ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122025-07-01137130510.3390/jmse13071305A Combined CFD, Theoretical, and Experimental Approach for Improved Hydrodynamic Performance of a Clam Dredge SystemRui You0Nathan H. Kennedy1Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USADepartment of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USAThis paper addresses the need for an integrated approach to develop an improved clam dredge system. Current designs often rely on empirical methods, resulting in a disconnect between theoretical models, computational simulations, and experimental validation. To bridge this gap, the study integrates computational fluid dynamics (CFD), experimental tests, and analytical methods to develop a clam dredge system. Firstly, the paper introduces an analytical tool that facilitates decision making by evaluating pump parameters, and to determine the operating point for various hose and nozzle parameters. This guides the parameter selection of pump, hose and jets for maximum performance. Secondly, CFD is utilized to analyze flow behavior, enabling the design of internal nozzle geometries that minimize head losses and maximize the scouring effect. A full-scale experimental measurement was conducted to validate computational results. Furthermore, a replica manifold is constructed using 3D printing and tested, demonstrating improvements in jet speed with both original and new nozzle designs. Analytical results indicate that increasing hose length reduces BHP, flow rate, and jet velocity, while increasing hose or jet diameter boosts BHP and flow but reduces jet speed due to pressure drops. Switching pumps reduced power consumption by 10.5% with minimal speed loss. The CFD analysis optimized nozzle design, reducing jet loss and enhancing efficiency. The proposed slit nozzle design reduces the loss coefficient by 85.24% in small-scale runs and by 83% in full-scale runs compared to the original circular jet design. The experiments confirmed the pressure differences between the CFD and experimental tests are within 10%, and demonstrated that rectangular jets increase speed by 9% and seafloor force by 19%. This paper improved the hydrodynamic design of the clam dredge system, and provides a framework for future dredge system designs.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/7/1305hydrodynamicsclam dredge systemcomputational fluid dynamicsanalytical methodexperimental test |
| spellingShingle | Rui You Nathan H. Kennedy A Combined CFD, Theoretical, and Experimental Approach for Improved Hydrodynamic Performance of a Clam Dredge System Journal of Marine Science and Engineering hydrodynamics clam dredge system computational fluid dynamics analytical method experimental test |
| title | A Combined CFD, Theoretical, and Experimental Approach for Improved Hydrodynamic Performance of a Clam Dredge System |
| title_full | A Combined CFD, Theoretical, and Experimental Approach for Improved Hydrodynamic Performance of a Clam Dredge System |
| title_fullStr | A Combined CFD, Theoretical, and Experimental Approach for Improved Hydrodynamic Performance of a Clam Dredge System |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Combined CFD, Theoretical, and Experimental Approach for Improved Hydrodynamic Performance of a Clam Dredge System |
| title_short | A Combined CFD, Theoretical, and Experimental Approach for Improved Hydrodynamic Performance of a Clam Dredge System |
| title_sort | combined cfd theoretical and experimental approach for improved hydrodynamic performance of a clam dredge system |
| topic | hydrodynamics clam dredge system computational fluid dynamics analytical method experimental test |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/7/1305 |
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