DENVER – The Bureau of Reclamation announced the phase two winners of the Guardians of the Reservoir competition. The three winning teams advance to the third and final phase of the competition.
The competition challenges competitors to design solutions for removing sedimentation deposits in reservoirs. Sedimentation builds up reducing a reservoir’s storage capacity potentially preventing a dam from functioning properly.
“Through this important competition, the Bureau of Reclamation is working to foster solutions for improving reservoir sediment management to extend the life of our reservoirs,” said Jennifer Bountry, Supervisory Civil Engineer.
Over the past 15 months, five teams have been developing lab and field-scale prototypes of their solutions. The three winning teams each receiving $25,000 and advancing to the final phase are:
- Nicholas LaBry and Kenneth LaBry of Prometheus Innovations, LLC., and Bartolomeo Mongiardino of Hydro Maintenance Service, Louisiana, 3 D DREDGER™: Complete Sediment Management: The 3DD team is developing a fully autonomous dredging system designed to handle sediment and larger debris using three dredging attachments. The system is designed for deployment in any environment, without impacting operation or recreation. The 3DD team consists of inventors at Hydro Maintenance Service and their U.S. partner Prometheus Innovations, LLC.
- Dr. Michael Detering Laura Backes, and Joana Kueppers, Germany, Sediment Continuity and Restoration: The D-Sediment team developed the SediMover technology as an autonomous vessel for efficient 24/7 sediment transfer from reservoirs. The patented and scalable, modular technology can be used for downstream river sediment continuity or sediment land processing. There are generally no limits in control, transfer range, and scope. The transfer is measured constantly onboard and is documented. The D-Sediment team has been active in sediment consulting and removal systems for several years.
- Baha Abulnaga, Washington, High Volume Deep Dredging for Low Water De-silting: Mazdak International is developing a new technology based on 3 steps: (1) a deep dredging slurry piston pump engine, (2) dewatering sediments in settling ponds, and (3) hydraulic capsule pipelines to transport dewatered sediments in dry or semi-dry form. The technology is based on minimizing water and power consumption and reducing abrasion in pumps and pipelines.
The final phase of the competition, phase three, will consist of a virtual demonstration of the teams prototypes. Each will be evaluated by subject matter experts on how well their prototype moves sediment, anticipated durability of systems, and potential cost savings. The team with the top-performing solution receives a $100,000 prize.
Teams receiving honorable mention for their efforts in phase 2 of the competition are:
- Wing Marine Team composed of Doug Thompson, John Crowson, Mel Friedman, Peter Crossland, Bryan Longhurst, James Coats, and Joel Friedman, Texas, A Cure for Ailing Reservoirs
- Peter Murdoch and John Newport, Pennsylvania, Air Bubble Suction Pipe with Water Recirculation
Reclamation is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NASA Tournament Lab and HeroX on the Guardians of the Reservoir competition. To learn more, please visit https://www.usbr.gov/research/challenges/sediment-removal.html.
