Device for solidifying sludgy material in a surface layer

A device for solidifying sludgy material in a surface layer comprising:

• a working barge;
• an agitator assembly mounted on said working barge at its stern, said assembly including
• a plurality of agitating shaft means having agitating blades at the lower portion of each of said shafts,
• means for driving the agitating shaft means including a motor and reduction gears, and
• a support frame for joining and supporting said agitating shaft means and said means for driving the agitating shaft means;
• a mast hingedly mounted on said barge slidably suspending said support frame;
• hydraulic jack means for controlling the inclination of said mast;
• guide rails along both sides of and parallel to said mast for slidably guiding said support frame;
• winch means mounted on said barge for winding and unwinding wire rope to lift and lower said support frame on said mast;
• means for distributing a chemical hardener, including injection pipes for carrying the chemical hardener into the sludge layer adjacent said blades, said pipes being slidably mounted on said mast;
• and
• means for sliding said pipes along said mast;
• wherein said agitating blades are arranged such that the range of agitation formed by each blade extends in both the vertical and horizontal directions.