A system and a method for collection of micro-plastics
OwnerNobuyoshi MORIMOTOinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method for enhancing adhesion between micro-plastics and air bubbles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and a method to enhance adhesion between micro-plastics and air bubbles so that the maximum number of micro-plastics can be collected from the aquatic environment. The pressure differential at the stern portion, buttock stern to bottom baseline, and between the air bubble's outflow and inlet maximises collection efficiency. The collected phytoplankton is re-introduced onto the ocean surface to improve CO2 to O2 conversion as a global warming mitigation method.
Claims19
A system for collecting micro-plastics in an aquatic environment, the system comprising:
- a bow section (2) with an extended pair of arms (3) which form a confined area for waves to enter and collide with the inner walls of the extended arms (3) above the bottom baseline and the bow to naturally generate air bubbles;
- at least one air bubble generating unit (4) operationally coupled to the bow section (2);
- a mesh net (5) with a plurality of pipes (6) having plurality of holes (7) connected to an adhesive storage unit (8);
- and
- a collection unit (9) to collect micro-plastics that flow with the wave through a hole in the vessel's bottom in the stern section (10).
A method for collecting micro-plastics in an aquatic environment, the method comprising:
- allowing the waves to enter the confined area and collide with the inner walls of the extended arms (3) and bow to naturally generate air bubbles;
- mixing adhesive material with the air bubbles generated naturally or via pressurized air at the bubble generating unit (4) exit;
- adhering the micro-plastics to air bubble using a mesh net (5) with a plurality of pipes (6) with a plurality of holes (7), wherein the mesh (5) collides with each other to enhance the cohesiveness;
- collecting micro-plastics that flow with the wave in a collection unit (9) through a hole in the vessel's bottom above the bottom base line in the stern section (10);
- and
- separating micro-plastics from air bubbles, adhesive materials, and phytoplankton in purifying unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.