Report
Teaser, summary, work performed and final results
Periodic Reporting for period 1 - OC-TECH (INNOVATIVE VESSEL FOR CLEANING-UP ACTIVITIES IN MARINE AND FLUVIAL ENVIRONMENTS)
Teaser
OC-Tech is an ambitious innovation project to develop a multitask catamaran-vessel comprised by different cleaning systems to collect and manage various floating wastes within water bodies, such as hydrocarbons, oils, flotsam, algae, microalgae, microplastics, solid bulky...
Summary
OC-Tech is an ambitious innovation project to develop a multitask catamaran-vessel comprised by different cleaning systems to collect and manage various floating wastes within water bodies, such as hydrocarbons, oils, flotsam, algae, microalgae, microplastics, solid bulky waste, etc. The main benefits of OC-Tech are: (1) Polyvalence and multi-purpose: water cleaning-ship for several type of wastes, and work-ship for other port-related operations, thanks to a broad deck to develop activities such as prospecting, diving, environmental monitoring, beaconing, off-shore assistance, fire protection or port services and cleaning. (2) Efficiency: highly effectiveness in waste collection and separation; up to 70%-80% hydrocarbon separation without emulsion creation, which avoids extra effort in splitting water and hydrocarbons. (3) Easy operation: the cleaning system working in a continuous way avoids the need to return to the port to discharge wastes, leading to fuel and work-hours savings. (4) Profitability: it is expected a cumulative revenue of 21.55 M€ and cumulative profit of 10.36 M€ by 2023.
Work performed
During the first period of OC-Tech project the cleaning systems and the overall vessel structure have been redesigned and adapted to achieve a competitive vessel, integrating specific elements, equipment and features to respond to market and environmental needs. During the design stage, a comprehensive testing program has been implemented, developing simulations and numerous trials under laboratory and real conditions. Once the desired performance results were achieved, for each cleaning system and for the entire integrated system, the manufacturing process has been started, after previously obtaining all required authorisations and certification for the vessel construction and operation. Likewise, first communication and dissemination activities have been developed and published in the project website.
Final results
The preliminary results obtained during the testing process developed so far, to redesign and upgrade the different cleaning systems comprising OC-TECH vessel, have been very positive and promising. Particularly, it is worth to mention the good cleaning performance demonstrated during the tests developed using a laboratory-ship under real conditions. The most outstanding successes of OC-Tech Project H-2020 Phase 2 have been: (1) It has been proved the capacity: to collect a broad type of wastes (oil, hydrocarbons, microplastics, microalgae, bulky waste…); (2) to work in a continuous way to collect any kind of floating waste; (3) to independently collect and separate wastes; (4) to work at high speed (3 knots). Likewise, the developed dissemination activities have already shown some positive results, since some potential clients have expressed interest in OC-Tech vessel, which represents an innovative solution with multiple social and economic benefits, such as preserving marine and fluvial environments, maintaining clean coasts and beaches, contributing to a more efficient waste management or valorising wastes for a circular economy.
Website & more info
More info: https://www.oceancleaner.es/h2020.