A method for recovering rare-earth mud including steps of: (A) penetrating a mud gathering pipe into a layer containing rare-earth mud under the seafloor, (B) preparing a slurry containing a rare earth by loosening rare-earth mud in the mud gathering pipe, and (C) transferring the slurry through a mud raising pipe. A rare-earth mud recovery system including: a mud gathering pipe configured to penetrate into a layer containing rare-earth mud under a seafloor; a stirring device configured to loosen rare-earth mud in the mud gathering pipe; and a mud raising pipe connected to the mud gathering pipe.

Systems and methods for recovering and concentrating rare earth elements from seabed sediment deposits using seabed excavators and shipboard processing systems.

A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, the collection tank comprising a closed first end, an open second end defining a tank sealing flange and a body extending between the closed first end and the open second end. An internal chamber defined by the body, the closed first end and the open second end has a door coupled to the open second end and is configured to releasably seal the open second end. An automated door closer is coupled to a center of the door, wherein the automated door closer provides a closing force at the center of the door so that the closing force is equally distributed about a periphery of the door to seal the door against the tank sealing flange.

A method and apparatus for digging and removing excavated material from a selected site provides a mobile device having a chassis that is movable or self-propelled. The mobile device has an elongated, preferably articulated boom with a free end portion having a digging implement that can include a digging tool, excavating tool or jetting tool. The boom preferably comprises at least three sections. The boom sections are foldable to a storage position on the chassis wherein one boom section stacks upon or is aligned with another boom section. The vacuum line is supported upon the boom wherein the vacuum line extends between the free end portion of the boom and the chassis. The boom attaches to the chassis at a base that can include a rotary or pivotal connection. The vacuum line supported by the boom extends along the boom and above the earth's surface. A selected material is excavated with the excavating implement (e.g., jetting tool or digging tool). The excavated material is vacuumed with the vacuum line into a collection vessel or tank that can be a part of a wheeled vehicle thus enabling transport to a disposal site. A separate vacuum truck can provide a vacuum to a selected collection tank.

An apparatus (1) for underwater dredging includes a pipe (10) and a dredging head (2). The pipe (10) has a first aperture (11) and a second aperture (12) each disposed at opposing ends of the pipe (10). The pipe (10) also has at least one first sidewall aperture (13). The dredging head (2) is circumferentially arranged on a sidewall of the pipe (10) and has at least one input (20), at least one output (21) and a plenum chamber (22). The at least one output (21) is in fluid communication with the at least one first sidewall aperture (13). A first obstruction mechanism (23) is configured to selectively deter reverse fluid flow into the dredging head (2). The first obstruction mechanism (23) is configured to be selectively transformable between: a first, obstructing, configuration in which at least reverse fluid flow through the dredging head (2) is deterred; and a second, open, configuration in which fluid flow through the dredging head (2) is permitted. A method of underwater dredging is also described.

A mobile digging and backfill system for removing and collecting material above a buried utility. The system comprises a mobile chassis, a collection tank mounted to the chassis, a water pump mounted to the chassis for delivering a pressurized liquid flow against the material for loosening the material at a location, a vacuum pump connected to the collection tank so that an air stream created by the vacuum pump draws the material and the fluid from the location into the collection tank, and at least one backfill reservoir mounted to the chassis for carrying backfill for placement at the location.

A water pump control system is provided for vacuum excavation equipment. The water pump control system includes a control circuit for controlling a hydraulic actuation circuit configured to control a water pump circuit such that a water pressure produced by the water pump circuit does not exceed a desired water pressure. The hydraulic actuation circuit can include a proportional hydraulic valve, and the control circuit controls a water pump speed by monitoring a water pressure and adjusting an electric current flowing into the proportional valve to meet the desired water pressure. The control circuit can include a pressure transducer mounted to the water pump circuit to monitor the water pressure in real-time.

A hand held supersonic air knife with a supersonic variable flow nozzle yields a continuously variable power mass flow rate (CFM) and pressure over a selectable power range, responsive to rotations of the nozzle exterior sleeve or outer nozzle member. The maximum power position identified as one end position and a second end position as the lowest power. The exterior sleeve can be rotated to any axial or circumferential position between start (low) and end (high). The result will be an intermediate power position. Any intermediate position will also be a supersonic nozzle of varying parameters between the start and end positions. Thus, a variable flow supersonic nozzle is provided by the manual sleeve rotation by an operator or a remotely controlled positioning of the sleeve.

A dredging system for removing submerged granular material from a bottom surface is presented. The dredging system comprises a dredging robot for removing granular material and a docking station for offloading removed granular material from the dredging robot. The docking station is attached and fixed in connection to the bottom. The dredging system further comprises a riser pipe for transporting removed granular material from the docking station to a remote location. A method for dredging of submerged granular material is also presented.

A device for removing granular material by suction is presented, the device comprising a suction head. The suction head comprises a lower end, an outlet for removing granular material from the suction head, and side walls, extending from the lower end to the outlet. The suction head further comprises one or more nozzles, configured to emit a pressurized fluid for fluidizing granular material, and one or more side inlets for the inflow of fluidized granular material into the suction head. The side inlets are located in a side wall, and the side inlets combined extend over at least 2% of the circumference of the lower end. A method for removal of granular material by suction from a granular material mass is also presented. The nozzles on an outside and the nozzles on an inside of the suction head provide a helical flow in the same direction.