Catamaran Garbage Patch Collector with Density and Electrostatic Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Garbage patches in the sea, primarily composed of disused plastics, pose significant contamination and ecosystem disruption challenges due to their vast distribution and high collection and transportation costs, making existing solutions inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A low energy consuming garbage patch gathering and classifying equipment using a catamaran equipped with a bow crusher, density-based classifier, triboelectrostatic classifier, and collector, which collects and classifies disused plastic particles by density and charge, allowing for efficient separation and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional garbage collection methods are used to gather dispersed plastic particles, then collection coverage can be achieved, but energy consumption becomes excessively high and collection costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the natural buoyancy difference between plastic particles and seawater to create a density-based classification system. The classifier allows particles to naturally separate based on their density without requiring additional energy input for active sorting mechanisms, achieving classification while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical classification systems with a triboelectrostatic classifier that uses electrostatic forces generated by friction between particles and a conveyor belt. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical sorting mechanisms, reducing energy consumption while improving classification capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional classification systems are used for plastic particles, then classification can be achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical classification systems with a triboelectrostatic classifier that utilizes electrostatic forces. The system employs a conveyor belt that generates friction charges on particles, which are then attracted to oppositely charged electrodes, achieving precise classification without mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the classification parameter from mechanical properties to electrostatic properties. By controlling the charge distribution on the conveyor belt and electrodes, the system can dynamically adjust classification based on particle material composition, achieving high precision with simpler device architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The equipment effectively gathers and classifies marine debris with reduced energy consumption, lowering collection and transportation costs, thereby mitigating marine pollution and ecosystem disruption.
Implementation Method 1
a bow crusher installed at a bow of the catamaran, and configured to collect and smash marine debris
Implementation Method 2
a density-based classifier configured to form a tunnel between hulls of the catamaran, and enable disused plastic particles, which have been smashed by the bow crusher, to be naturally classified with different water depths and move ranges by density
Implementation Method 3
a triboelectrostatic classifier installed within or out of the hull of the catamaran, and configured to enable the disused plastic particles, which have been caught by the collector, to be charged in different electrodes while being transferred with friction through a conveyor belt that are trembling
Data Source
AI summary
By mooring or slowly moving the catamaran in a current through which a garage patch formed of disused plastic particles over than 90% is drifting, a heap of the marine debris flows into the bow of the catamaran and then is smashed. While the disused plastic particles that have been smashed at the bow of the catamaran is moving from the bow toward the stern by way of the tunnel between hulls of the catamaran, the plastic particles are first classified by differences of densities. These first classified plastic particles are collected and then transferred into a narrow and long inside of the catamaran, being finally classified by a triboelectrostatic action. Thereafter, these finally classified plastic particles are made to be pallets which are to be transported to a land facility for recycling or abandoning them.