Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Design and Alpha Test of In-water Collection and Removal of Floating Debris System
EPA Contract Number: 68HERC23C0012Title: Design and Alpha Test of In-water Collection and Removal of Floating Debris System
Investigators: Peterman, Michael
Small Business: Aquarius Systems
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: December 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023
Project Amount: $100,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I (2023) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Homeland Security , SBIR - Water , SBIR - Sustainability , SBIR - Air and Climate
Description:
D&D Products Inc. has designed and developed an in-situ floating debris capture device, currently being called the TrashVeyor™ 1. The device will be located at the edge of a stream, canal, or similar waterbody. Floating booms will be attached adjacent to the device, and the water’s current will guide debris along the booms into the gathering head. The gathering head will direct debris into the hopper and feed it onto a conveying mechanism. The conveying mechanism will transfer the debris up and discharge it into a shore-based dumpster.
The primary intention of the design is to reduce the number of material handling steps as compared to other methods of trash removal. The innovation of the design is shown in the following ways. Debris is removed from the water and immediately deposited on land, with no need to re-handle the trash, or risk introducing it back into the water. The device has a new gathering mechanism which helps to guide the debris onto the conveyor mechanism. The machine requires no manpower and is simple to operate and maintain. The device is modular and can be adjusted to suit most environments. The functions of the machine are electric, and solar power can be used to meet its power needs.
Current technologies are either larger scale or smaller scale. This device meets the requirements for a medium-scale device. The target applications are flowing rivers, canals or streams near municipalities that have a need to capture floating debris. The machine is intended to be moderately priced and affordable for most municipalities.
The new machine is an iteration of current Aquarius Systems mobile trash skimming equipment designed and manufactured by D&D Products Inc. Aquarius Systems has been designing and manufacturing trash skimming equipment since the late 1970’s.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
D&D Products Inc., DBA Aquarius Systems, has completed the Phase 1 research topic. We have designed the TrashVeyor and manufactured the gathering mechanism, the novel element of the TrashVeyor. The design of the TrashVeyor is such that it can be built as sub-assemblies, painted if desired, and assembled in a relatively short period of time.
The system is anticipated to run largely unattended 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The device has a modular power system. It can be powered through on-grid power, solar power with on-grid standby, solar power with battery standby, or a standby generator. Any combination of these choices is possible.
The system is designed to operate slowly for several reasons. First, the system is safer for humans. If humans come into contact with the machine, they will be able to quickly get out of harm’s way. The same is true for aquatic and land-based animals. The system moves slowly enough to allow ample time to react.
The gathering mechanism has a rotating reel onto which flexible tines are affixed. The flexible tines reach into the water approximately eight inches deep and help to guide debris onto the conveyor belting. The conveyor belting will also dewater the collected trash, allowing only debris to be transferred into the dumpster. The stationary bed is inclined to allow the front input hopper to slightly dip into the water for loading.
Figure 1: Rendering of TrashVeyor
The discharge end is raised in the air for unloading on shore. An appropriate conveyor bed length is required to accomplish this task, and framework is required to hold the conveyor in this position.
Figure 2: General Arrangement of TrashVeyor
The following items are part of the end user’s responsibility: The initial deployment and removal are addressed via a mobile crane. A mobile crane will pick up the assembled system and set it on the water’s edge. The system should be located inside of a fenced in area. The fence will help to keep people and animals away from the machine, and away from debris dropping into the dumpster. Debris booms suitable for the location must be obtained and installed. The system deployment may need appropriate permits from the local, state, and federal authorities before the system is installed. If desired, a Wi-Fi system can be set up to communicate with the device remotely. A camera system may also be installed to monitor and web-cast. The operations of the machine are end user’s responsibility and will include exchanging the dumpsters when full, greasing of the machine when needed, and the routine maintenance as part of the normal operations.
Conclusions:
The design process went smoothly and initial in-house testing has been successful. Initial cost targets have been met. The next step is to build a complete system and demonstrate, test, and measure its capability.
The TrashVeyor should reduce the overall cost per pound of garbage removed. This is accomplished through 1. Low operating costs of the system. 2. Less risk to humans and machine by using a shore- based dumpster. 3. No ancillary equipment needed to remove the debris. 4. A simple system to install, deploy, and maintain. Aquarius Systems brings a strong competitive advantage for this design.
It is anticipated that the implementation would be conducted by a municipal entity and/or other government stakeholder to obtain, or permit use of, an area near a waterbody to deploy such a system. Local non-government organizations can assist with funding and possibly with operations. It will be important to identify a reliable party to supply the workforce and resources to efficiently manage the program.
The Aquarius Systems TrashVeyor can be modified to fit the application. Most importantly, it will work independently and will not require the use of an offloading tender barge and operators as it continually discharges the material into a land-based dumpster.
Marine debris is an existential threat impacting many aspects of human, animal, and marine life. In response to this threat companies have developed various solutions to remove this debris from the water. Aquarius Systems was the first company to produce specialized aquatic trash collection equipment, in the 1970’s.
Aquarius Systems operates in both the business-to-government and business-to-business segments of the surface water management industry. The Aquarius Systems TrashVeyor is further targeting Solid Waste and Stormwater Management sectors, non-profit organizations, MS4 permit holders, hydropower and nuclear generation companies, flood control and water districts. As part of our research, we worked with Foresight Science & Technology to help confirm these assumed market segmentations.
We are actively developing marketing initiatives to introduce the new design to the market.
SBIR Phase II:
Demonstration of In-water Collection and Removal of Floating Debris SystemThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.