Marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption

Abstract

This invention discloses a marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption. The device includes a filter box equipped with a power generation mechanism and a fixed-point anchoring mechanism. Its features include: floats on both sides of the filter box; a microbubble generator at the bottom; a filter plate at the top; a roller brush above the filter plate; a conveyor belt inclined behind the filter plate; and a scraper below the conveyor belt. The scraper removes microplastics adhering to the conveyor belt, which fall into a collection box located below the scraper. The filter box has an inlet and an outlet at both ends. Seawater flows into the filter box through the inlet for filtration, and the filtered seawater exits through the outlet. This device has a simple structure, stable performance, and can efficiently collect and separate microplastics from water, improving the marine ecological environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ecological and environmental protection, specifically to a marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of human society, the use of plastic products is increasing. When dealing with waste plastics, the natural degradation time of plastics is long, while burning them can lead to serious environmental pollution. As a result, a large amount of waste plastics cannot be properly disposed of. Some of these plastics enter the ocean from the land, causing water pollution. Under the influence of various factors, plastics in the ocean are decomposed into microplastics with a diameter of no more than 5 mm. Compared with ordinary plastics, microplastics, due to their small size, large number, wide distribution, and ease of ingestion by aquatic organisms, can cause incalculable damage to the aquatic environment and aquatic organisms, and ultimately threaten the human living environment.

[0003] Currently, the existing technologies for collecting microplastics in seawater mainly include two methods: radial fixed-point collection and ship-based collection. While radial fixed-point collection is more efficient, it requires the absorption of seawater for treatment, resulting in high energy consumption and difficulty in solving the energy supply problem, making it only suitable for waters near the shore. Ship-based collection, although expanding the collection range, can only collect from the area near the ship, resulting in low energy utilization and failing to effectively promote the collection of marine microplastics.

[0004] In order to eliminate the inefficiency of collecting and separating microplastics from polluted waters due to high energy consumption and limited collection range in the process of collecting marine microplastics, those skilled in the art have been seeking effective collection methods for marine microplastics so as to efficiently collect and separate microplastics from polluted waters and improve the marine ecological environment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption that is simple and compact in structure, easy to assemble, and has stable working performance. It can efficiently collect and separate microplastics from the water body, thereby improving the marine ecological environment.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention designs a marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption, comprising a filter box, which is equipped with a power generation mechanism and a fixed-point anchoring mechanism. Its unique feature is that: floats are arranged on both sides of the filter box; a microbubble generator is arranged at the bottom of the filter box; a filter plate is arranged at the top of the filter box; a roller brush is arranged above the filter plate; a conveyor belt is inclinedly arranged behind the filter plate; and a scraper is arranged below the conveyor belt. The scraper is used to scrape off the microplastics adhering to the conveyor belt, and the scraped microplastics fall into a collection box located below the scraper. The filter box has an inlet and an outlet at both ends, respectively. Seawater flows into the filter box from the inlet for filtration, and the filtered seawater is discharged from the outlet.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the power generation mechanism includes a water turbine generator connected to the inlet of the filter box, and a converging fan is connected to the other end of the water turbine generator. A filter screen is provided on the water-facing side of the converging fan. The rotor of the water turbine generator is connected to an eccentric rotor. When waves pass by, the eccentric rotor swings with the wave movement, driving the rotor of the water turbine generator to rotate, thereby generating current and converting wave energy into electrical energy.

[0008] Furthermore, the filter box is internally equipped with multiple partitions, each partition having a notch at one end facing the inner cavity. The notches between two partitions are staggered, thereby slowing down the water flow and extending the reaction time between nanobubbles and microplastics in seawater.

[0009] Furthermore, the bottom of the filter box is also provided with two biomimetic fins, which are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner on the left and right sides of the filter box. Each biomimetic fin includes a fin and is fixedly installed at one end of the drive shaft. The other end of the drive shaft is connected to a coupling, which is connected via a commutator. When the direction of the waves changes, the two biomimetic fins can rotate in opposite directions, thereby causing the device to face the direction of the waves.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the rear end of the filter box is provided with a biomimetic fish tail. The biomimetic fish tail includes a shell, and a skeleton is provided inside the shell. One end of the shell is hinged to the skeleton, and the other end of the skeleton is connected to one end of a joint via a hinge. The other end of the joint is connected to a tail fin via a hinge, thereby enabling the device to adjust its posture according to the wave state.

[0011] Furthermore, the fixed-point anchoring mechanism includes a storage compartment fixedly installed at the bottom of the filter box. A winding motor is installed inside the storage compartment, and a winding wheel is installed on one side of the winding motor. One end of the fiber rope is connected to the winding wheel, and the other end of the fiber rope is provided with an anchor body, thereby fixing the device at a fixed point in the sea area.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the collection box is provided with a slider, the collection box is assembled to the slide rail by the slider and is slidably connected to the slide rail, and a limit block is provided at the tail end of the slide rail.

[0013] Furthermore, a microbubble jet nozzle is provided at the bottom of the filter box, and a microbubble generator is connected to the microbubble jet nozzle. The microbubble generator is configured to release nanobubbles into the filter box, and the bubbles can attach to microplastics and float to the surface for collection.

[0014] Furthermore, the pore size of the filter plate is 35-40 μm.

[0015] Furthermore, the drying conveyor belt operates at a speed of 4-5 km / h, thereby utilizing sunlight to dry the microplastics.

[0016] The advantages of this invention are as follows: The designed marine microplastic collection device generates microbubbles by incorporating a microbubble generator and microbubble nozzles to adsorb microplastics in the ocean. Utilizing the principle that the density of microplastics decreases and they rise after combining with the bubbles, they are guided to the filter plate. Through the synergistic action of a roller brush, conveyor belt, scraper, and collection box, effective separation and collection of microplastics are achieved. The overall structure of the device is simple, enabling efficient collection of microplastics from the marine environment and reducing marine microplastic pollution. Furthermore, the design of the float allows the device to float on the water surface, adapting to the marine environment. Moreover, by incorporating a water turbine generator and a collapsing fan, wave energy is used to generate electricity, providing some or all of the power to the device, achieving energy self-sufficiency and reducing operating costs. The inclusion of biomimetic fins and a biomimetic fish tail allows the device to automatically adjust its orientation and attitude according to wave direction and state, enhancing its stability in complex sea conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption.

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the generator.

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the biomimetic fin.

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure at point A.

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the middle filter box.

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the conveyor belt.

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the collection box.

[0024] Figure 8 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the biomimetic fish tail.

[0025] Figure 9 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the fixed-point anchoring mechanism.

[0026] Figure 10 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption.

[0027] The components in the diagram are labeled as follows: 1. Power generation mechanism; 2. Filter box (including 21 partition plate, 22 filter plate, 23 roller brush, 24 microbubble generator, 25 first motor, 26 first pulley); 3. Conveyor belt (including 31 scraper, 32 second motor, 33 second pulley); 4. Collection box (including 41 slide rail, 42 slider); 5. Float; 6. Bionic fins (including 61 fins, 62 drive shaft, 63 coupling, 64 commutator); 7. Bionic fish tail (including 71 skeleton, 72 hinge, 73 joint, 74 tail fin, 75 shell); 8. Fixed-point anchoring mechanism.

[0028] The power generation mechanism 1 includes: a filter screen 11; a retractable fan 12; and a water turbine generator 13.

[0029] The fixed-point anchoring mechanism 8 includes: a fiber rope 81; and an anchor body 82. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but these embodiments should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0031] like Figures 1-10As shown in the figure, the marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption described in this embodiment includes a filter box 2, on which a power generation mechanism 1 and a fixed-point anchoring mechanism 8 are provided. The filter box 2 is characterized by having floats 5 on both sides, a microbubble generator 24 at the bottom, a filter plate 22 at the top, a roller brush 23 above the filter plate 22, a conveyor belt 3 inclined behind the filter plate 22, and a scraper 31 below the conveyor belt 3. The scraper 31 is used to scrape off the microplastics attached to the conveyor belt 3, and the scraped microplastics fall into a collection box 4 located below the scraper 31. The filter box 2 has an inlet and an outlet at both ends, respectively. Seawater flows into the filter box 2 through the inlet for filtration, and the filtered seawater is discharged through the outlet.

[0032] The power generation mechanism 1 includes a water turbine generator 13 connected to the inlet of the filter box 2. The other end of the water turbine generator 13 is connected to a converging fan 12, and a filter screen 11 is provided on the water-facing surface of the converging fan 12. The rotor of the water turbine generator 13 is connected to an eccentric rotor. When waves pass by, the eccentric rotor swings with the wave movement, driving the rotor of the water turbine generator 13 to rotate, thereby generating current and converting wave energy into electrical energy.

[0033] The filter box 2 is provided with multiple partition plates 21 at intervals inside. Each partition plate 21 has a notch at one end facing the inner cavity. The notches between two partition plates 21 are staggered to slow down the water flow and prolong the reaction time between nanobubbles and microplastics in seawater.

[0034] The bottom of the filter box 2 is also provided with biomimetic fins 6. There are two biomimetic fins 6, which are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner on the left and right sides of the filter box 2. Each biomimetic fin 6 includes a fin 61, which is fixedly installed at one end of the drive shaft 62. The other end of the drive shaft 62 is connected to a coupling 63, which is connected through a commutator 64. When the direction of the wave changes, the two biomimetic fins can rotate in opposite directions, thereby making the device face the direction of the wave.

[0035] The rear end of the filter box 2 is provided with a bionic fish tail 7. The bionic fish tail 7 includes a shell 75 and a skeleton 71 inside the shell 75. The shell 75 is hinged to one end of the skeleton 71. The other end of the skeleton 71 is connected to one end of the joint 73 through a hinge 72. The other end of the joint 73 is connected to the tail fin 74 through a hinge 72, so that the device can adjust its posture according to the wave state.

[0036] The fixed-point anchoring mechanism 8 includes a storage compartment fixedly installed at the bottom of the filter box 2. A winding motor is installed inside the storage compartment. A winding wheel is installed on one side of the winding motor. One end of the fiber rope 81 is connected to the winding wheel, and the other end of the fiber rope 81 is provided with an anchor body 82, thereby fixing the device at a fixed point in the sea area.

[0037] The bottom of the collection box 4 is provided with a slider 42. The collection box 4 is assembled to the slide rail 41 through the slider 42 and is slidably connected to the slide rail 41. A limit block is provided at the tail end of the slide rail.

[0038] The bottom of the filter box 2 is provided with a microbubble jet nozzle, which is connected to a microbubble generator 24. The microbubble generator 24 is configured to release nanobubbles into the filter box. The bubbles can attach to microplastics and float to the surface for collection.

[0039] The filter plate 22 has a pore size of 35-40μm; the drying conveyor belt has a speed of 4-5km / h, thereby utilizing sunlight to dry the microplastics.

[0040] During collection, seawater is guided in by a converging fan 12 located at the front of the inlet. The seawater first undergoes preliminary filtration through a filter screen 11 to remove larger impurities. Accompanied by the surging waves, the waves drive the eccentric rotor to oscillate, which in turn drives the rotor of the water turbine generator 13 to rotate, converting wave energy into electrical energy. The pre-filtered seawater enters the filter box 2, where a microbubble generator 24 installed at the bottom of the filter box 2 generates nanobubbles, which are released into the water inside the filter box 2 through microbubble nozzles. Multiple partition plates 21 are arranged at intervals inside the filter box 2, and the notches on adjacent partition plates 21 are staggered to form a tortuous water flow channel, prolonging the residence time of the seawater in the filter box 2 and ensuring that the nanobubbles fully contact and react with the microplastics in the seawater. Due to the buoyancy of the bubbles, the bubble aggregates that adsorb microplastics gradually float to the surface. The floating microplastic bubbles aggregate reach the filter plate 22 at the top of the filter box 2. The filter plate 22 intercepts the floating microplastic bubble aggregate, separating the microplastic from the water. Simultaneously, the roller brush 23 above the filter plate 22 is driven by the first motor 25 to rotate the first pulley 26, sweeping the microplastic bubble aggregate remaining on the surface of the filter plate 22 towards the rear conveyor belt 3. The swept-off microplastic bubble aggregate falls onto the inclined conveyor belt 3. The conveyor belt 3 is driven by the second motor 32 to rotate the second pulley 33, using sunlight to dry the microplastic. When it reaches the end of the conveyor belt 3, the scraper 31 scrapes off the microplastic attached to the conveyor belt 3, causing it to fall into the collection box 4 located below. The collection box 4 is slidably connected to the slide rail 41 by the slider 42. When the collection box 4 is full of microplastic, it can be removed for cleaning or replacement. The device achieves adaptive adjustment to ocean waves through biomimetic fins 6 and biomimetic fish tails 7. When the wave direction changes, the biomimetic fins 6, under the coordinated action of the drive shaft 62, coupling 63, and commutator 64, can rotate in the opposite direction, orienting the device towards the wave direction and maintaining a wave-facing posture. The structure of the biomimetic fish tail 7, including the skeleton 71, hinges 72, joints 73, and tail fin 74, allows it to adjust its posture according to the wave conditions. The fixed-point anchoring mechanism 8, through a winding motor driving a winding wheel, winds up and unwinds the fiber rope 81, and in conjunction with the anchor body 82, achieves fixed-point fixation of the device in a specific sea area, ensuring continuous microplastic collection within the predetermined area.

[0041] In this invention, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0042] In the description of this specification, the use of terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," or "specific embodiment" indicates that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0043] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed invention. The scope of protection claimed by the appended claims and their equivalents is defined.

Claims

1. A marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption, comprising a filter box (2), wherein the filter box (2) is provided with a power generation mechanism (1) and a fixed-point anchoring mechanism (8), characterized in that: The filter box (2) is provided with floats (5) on both sides, a microbubble generator (24) is provided at the bottom of the filter box (2), a filter plate (22) is provided at the top of the filter box (2), a roller brush (23) is provided above the filter plate (22), a conveyor belt (3) is provided at an angle behind the filter plate (22), a scraper (31) is provided below the conveyor belt (3), the scraper (31) is used to scrape off the microplastics attached to the conveyor belt (3), the scraped microplastics fall into the collection box (4) located below the scraper (31), the filter box (2) is provided with an inlet and an outlet at both ends, seawater flows into the filter box (2) from the inlet for filtration, and the filtered seawater is discharged from the outlet. The bottom of the filter box (2) is also provided with biomimetic fins (6). There are two biomimetic fins (6), which are arranged in a mirror symmetrical manner on the left and right sides of the filter box (2). The biomimetic fins (6) include fins (61). The fins (61) are fixedly installed on one end of the drive shaft (62). The other end of the drive shaft (62) is connected to the coupling (63). The coupling (63) is connected through a commutator (64). When the direction of the wave changes, the two biomimetic fins can rotate in opposite directions, so that the device faces the direction of the wave. The filter box (2) is provided with a bionic fish tail (7) at the rear end. The bionic fish tail (7) includes a shell (75) and a skeleton (71) inside the shell (75). The shell (75) is hinged to one end of the skeleton (71). The other end of the skeleton (71) is connected to one end of the joint (73) through a hinge (72). The other end of the joint (73) is connected to the tail fin (74) through a hinge (72), so that the device can adjust its posture according to the wave state.

2. The marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power generation mechanism (1) includes a water turbine generator (13) connected to the inlet of the filter box (2). The other end of the water turbine generator (13) is connected to a converging fan (12), and a filter screen (11) is provided on the water-facing side of the converging fan (12). The rotor of the water turbine generator (13) is connected to an eccentric rotor. When waves pass by, the eccentric rotor swings with the wave movement, driving the rotor of the water turbine generator (13) to rotate, thereby generating current and converting wave energy into electrical energy.

3. The marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption according to claim 2, characterized in that: The filter box (2) is provided with multiple partition plates (21) at intervals inside. Each partition plate (21) has a notch at one end facing the inner cavity. The notches between two partition plates (21) are staggered, thereby slowing down the water flow and prolonging the reaction time between nanobubbles and microplastics in seawater.

4. The marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed-point anchoring mechanism (8) includes a storage compartment fixedly installed at the bottom of the filter box (2). The storage compartment is equipped with a winding motor. A winding wheel is provided on one side of the winding motor. One end of the fiber rope (81) is connected to the winding wheel. The other end of the fiber rope (81) is equipped with an anchor body (82), thereby fixing the device at a fixed point in the sea area.

5. The marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the collection box (4) is provided with a slider (42), the collection box (4) is assembled to the slide rail (41) through the slider (42) and is slidably connected to the slide rail (41), and a limit block is provided at the tail end of the slide rail.

6. The marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the filter box (2) is provided with a microbubble jet nozzle, which is connected to a microbubble generator (24). The microbubble generator (24) is configured to release nanobubbles into the filter box, which can attach to microplastics and float to be collected.

7. The marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter plate (22) has a pore size of 35-40 μm.

8. The marine microplastic collection device based on microbubble adsorption according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveyor belt travels at a speed of 4-5 km / h, thereby utilizing sunlight to dry the microplastics.

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