ECONAD Slurry Pipeline Floats are durable polyethylene flotation units designed to support dredging and slurry pipelines on the water surface.
They provide stable buoyancy for floating pipelines used to transport sand, slurry and other dredged materials from dredgers and hydraulic equipment to shore-based discharge points.
The floats are suitable for operation in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and marine environments and can also be used as universal flotation elements for other floating structures and equipment.
ECONAD Slurry Pipeline Floats are suitable for:
- Dredging pipelines
- Sand and slurry transportation pipelines
- Floating discharge pipelines
- Dredging and reclamation projects
- River and lake dredging
- Port and harbour construction
- Marine construction works
- Hydraulic engineering projects
- Floating utility pipelines
- Support of cables and auxiliary equipment
- Custom floating structures
They can be used in sea, river and lake environments and are particularly suitable for temporary and permanent floating pipeline installations.
Floating slurry pipelines require sufficient buoyancy to maintain the pipeline at the correct position on the water surface while allowing movement during dredging operations.
ECONAD floats are installed around or alongside the pipeline to provide the required flotation and stability.
The number, size and spacing of floats can be selected according to:
- Pipeline diameter
- Pipe material and weight
- Total pipeline length
- Weight of the transported slurry
- Required reserve buoyancy
- Water and environmental conditions
The outer shell of the float is manufactured from medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), providing a strong and corrosion-resistant alternative to traditional steel floats.
Polyethylene is well suited to marine and dredging applications because it offers:
- Corrosion resistance
- Resistance to water and moisture
- Good impact resistance
- UV resistance
- Low maintenance requirements
- Relatively low weight
- Long service life
Unlike steel flotation systems, polyethylene floats do not require regular painting or corrosion protection.
The internal volume of the float is filled with high-strength polyurethane foam.
The foam provides additional reserve buoyancy and helps the float maintain its flotation capability even if the external polyethylene shell is locally damaged.
This construction provides additional reliability for equipment operating continuously in demanding dredging and marine environments.
The relatively low weight of polyethylene floats simplifies:
- Transportation
- Installation
- Pipeline assembly
- Maintenance
- Replacement
- Relocation of floating pipelines
The floats can be installed directly on pipeline sections and removed when the pipeline configuration needs to be changed.
This is particularly useful for dredging projects where pipeline routes are regularly extended, shortened or repositioned.
ECONAD pipeline floats are designed for operation in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +60°C and are resistant to UV exposure.
Their construction provides resistance to wave action, impacts and the mechanical loads associated with floating pipeline operations.
Polyethylene flotation systems provide several advantages compared with conventional steel pontoons.
They are:
- Corrosion-resistant
- Lightweight
- Easy to handle
- Low-maintenance
- Resistant to UV exposure
- Suitable for freshwater and marine environments
- Simple to install and replace
This makes polyethylene floats a practical solution for both temporary dredging projects and long-term floating pipeline installations.
In addition to slurry and dredging pipelines, ECONAD polyethylene floats can be used as flotation elements for other marine and industrial applications.
Possible applications include:
- Floating cables
- Utility pipelines
- Temporary floating structures
- Marine construction equipment
- Environmental protection systems
- Custom floating platforms and assemblies
The dimensions and buoyancy of the floats can be selected according to the required load and operating conditions.
Every floating pipeline has different buoyancy and operational requirements.
ECONAD can develop a flotation configuration based on:
- Pipe outside diameter
- Pipe wall thickness
- Pipe material
- Pipeline weight
- Weight of transported material
- Required freeboard
- Required reserve buoyancy
- Water depth
- Wave conditions
- Current velocity
- Operating environment
Based on this information, the appropriate float dimensions, quantity and installation arrangement can be selected for the project.
- Reliable Buoyancy: Polyurethane foam-filled construction provides stable flotation and additional reserve buoyancy.
- Corrosion-Resistant Construction: The polyethylene body does not corrode and requires minimal maintenance compared with conventional steel floats.
- Lightweight Design: Low weight simplifies transportation, installation and repositioning of floating pipeline sections.
- UV Resistance: The polyethylene material is suitable for prolonged outdoor operation and exposure to sunlight.
- Wide Operating Temperature Range: Designed for operation from approximately -40°C to +60°C.
- Freshwater and Marine Applications: Suitable for operation in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and marine environments.
- Custom Configuration: Float dimensions and buoyancy can be selected according to the specific pipeline and project requirements.
Slurry Pipeline Flotation Solutions
ECONAD supplies polyethylene floats for dredging, slurry transportation and other floating pipeline applications.
Contact us for:
- Float selection
- Buoyancy calculation
- Pipeline flotation calculation
- Selection of float quantity and spacing
- Custom float dimensions
- Technical consultation
- Complete floating pipeline configurations
- Commercial quotation
Send us the pipeline diameter, pipe weight, required length and operating conditions to receive a suitable flotation configuration.
