Plug formation in hydrosuction experiments with semi-consolidated fine sediment

For solving the problem caused by the fine sediment in the reservoir, hydrosuction is widely used to remove sediment deposits. In prior research, the delivered sediment concentration attained during hydrosuction was found to vary greatly with consolidation duration. In order to resolve this influence in greater detail, we conducted a new series experiments focused on contrasting the hydrosuction responses of semi-consolidated and consolidated sediment, using a small-scale suction pipe and on-line densimeter. For reconstructing topography, we use the software Aigsoft Photoscan to scan the underwater topography. For consolidated sediment, a steep crater rapidly forms, causing water to break through and hydrosuction efficiency to drop. For semi-consolidated sediment, a plug forms along the surface, helping to delay water entry and making hydrosuction more efficient. The results of semi-consolidated and consolidated experiments are contrasted and compared with the results of prior experiments.