Submergible densification cell, sediment separator and sediment densification method

Sediment separator comprising:

• a submergible densification cell that includes:
• a) a sediment collection area having a front section delimited by a first area A1 and a back section delimited by a second area A2;
• b) at least one suction and ejection pipe connected to the back section of the sediment collection area;
• c) at least one positive displacement pump in fluid communication with the suction and ejection pipe;
• d) an oscillator valve connected to the suction and ejection pipe;
• and
• e) a conduit to eject the sediment,
• wherein:
• A1/A2 comprises an absolute value between 8 and 120;
• the first area A1 does not exceed 50 m2;
• the second area A2 does not exceed 0.8 m2;
• and
• the front section and the back section are spaced apart by a distance of between 2.0 cm to 10 m.

Sediment densification method comprising the steps of:

• providing a submergible densification cell that includes:
• a) a sediment collection area having a front section delimited by a first area A1 and a back section delimited by a second area A2;
• b) at least one suction and ejection pipe connected to the back section of the sediment collection area;
• c) at least one positive displacement pump in fluid communication with the suction and ejection pipe;
• d) an oscillator valve connected to the suction and ejection pipe;
• e) a conduit to eject the dense sediment;
• and
• wherein:
• A1/A2 comprises an absolute value between 8 and 120;
• the first area A1 does not exceed 50 m2;
• the second area A2 does not exceed 0.8 m2 ;
• the front section and the back section are spaced apart by a distance of between 2.0 cm to 10 m;
• operating said densification cell with a maximum suction flow rate of 1500 m3/h.