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Subsea EngineeringDesilting & Silt Removal

Desilting of Seawater Intake Tunnels and Cooling Water Systems

What is Seawater Intake & Tunnel Desilting?

KCC provides desilting services for seawater intake tunnels, cooling water culverts, and intake structures at power stations, desalination plants, and industrial facilities across Hong Kong. Silt accumulation in intake systems reduces flow capacity, increases pumping energy, and — if left unmanaged — can cause complete blockage and unplanned plant shutdown.

KCC's commercial divers enter the intake structure, assess the silt depth and distribution, and operate hydraulic dredge pumps, air-lift systems, or mechanical suction equipment to remove the accumulated material. Silt is pumped to surface settlement tanks for dewatering and disposal in accordance with EPD requirements. Marine growth on intake screens, trash racks, and tunnel walls is removed simultaneously using high-pressure water jetting.

Compliance: All confined-space diving operations are conducted under IMCA D 045 and HSE Diving at Work Regulations 1997. Works within power station and industrial intake structures are subject to the client's permit-to-work system and confined space entry procedures.

What's Included

  • Pre-works silt depth and distribution survey
  • Hydraulic dredge pump and air-lift system operation
  • Mechanical suction desilting for heavy or consolidated silt
  • Silt pumping to surface settlement tanks
  • Silt dewatering and EPD-compliant disposal
  • Marine growth removal from screens, racks, and tunnel walls by HP jetting
  • Post-desilting inspection and flow capacity confirmation
  • Confined space entry procedures and permit-to-work compliance

Why This Matters

Silt accumulation in seawater intake systems is a predictable, manageable problem — but only if addressed before it reaches critical levels. Regular desilting by KCC keeps intake systems operating at design capacity, protects pumping plant, and prevents the far greater cost of emergency shutdown and clearance.

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IMCA ADCI HSE HKCP

IMCA · ADCI · HSE · HKCP Compliant

All diving operations conducted to IMCA, ADCI, HSE & HKCP standards

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