VAMORAS - Valorisation of mechanically dewaterered dredgings

MIP

Industrial partner

Research partner

Project leader

Synopsis

The VAMORAS project focuses on the reuse of mechanically dewatered dredgings coming from the Port of Antwerp. In particular, one aims at the use thereof as feedstock or additive in the construction industry, such as in the production of concrete products, the production of bricks or lightweight granules. In addition it is hoped to apply it in foundations or road works.

Objectives

In the VAMORAS project, the technical and economic feasibility of several innovative, high value applications of mechanically dewatered dredgings are investigated. Specifically, this refers to the following applications:

Use as a feedstock for the production of expanded clay granules;
Use as a feedstock or additive for the production of bricks;
Use as filler in concrete;
Use as raw material for foundations of roads.

The possibilities of disposal of dewatered dredgiings in the various applications will successively be studied and tested on their technical feasibility. For each track also a market analysis will be carried out and it will be examined if the use of the dredgings can be approved by the environmental legislation. This information should allow the companies to determine the value of the use of the material and to justify any investment. For those applications where positive results are achieved, initiatives will be taken towards certification.

The first phase of the research focuses on the technical feasibility. The starting product, after mechanical dewatering, is a filter cake with certain geotechnical, physical and chemical properties. If necessary, additional treatment steps will be considered to bring the dewatered dredgings into line with the raw material specifications imposed by the different applications. The technical feasibility study will include the financial aspects and the environmental costs and benefits of the different treatments.

For each of the targeted products or applications, the treated dredgings will be tested to establish unambiguously the raw material specifications and to determine the extent to which the dredgings can be used. Eventually, pilot projects will be implemented in the region of Antwerp, including the necessary testing program, to prove the feasibility on an industrial scale:

Production of building material;
Testing of the building material;
Launch on a location in the region of Antwerp.

The second part of the project focuses on the market potential of the applications. In addition, the external factors that affect the marketing of these products will be defined and it will be investigated what can be done to increase the market potential. The project will examine in detail the factors that could impede supply meeting demand and will examine what it takes to overcome these obstacles. Hereby, a distinction will be made between private markets and markets in the public domain. Finally, the project will consider the regulatory framework and certification. Obtaining the necessary certificates is indeed crucial in the further marketing of the products. Products derived from dewatered dredgings have to contend with a negative image. This limits their market value and hinders their market introduction.

The Amoras installation in the Port of Antwerp