Four weeks after the cleaning System 001 was first deployed in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), the largest accumulation of ocean plastic, The Ocean Cleanup informed of some problems in the operation. The plastic is exiting the system once it is collected, so the Foundation is currently working on causes and solutions to remedy this.
Because this is our beta system, and this is the first deployment of any ocean cleanup system, we have been preparing ourselves for surprises. Although we are not harvesting plastic yet, based on the current results, we are positive we are close to making it work
…noted The Ocean Cleanup CEO, Boyan Slat.
Namely, after starting its operation on cleaning the ocean via System 001, which proved technology and started the cleanup, the Foundation placed Crew 2 in operation in order to observe the procedure, analyse the data and plastic collection. According to that:
- The cleanup system is behaving as expected;
- The debris in GPGP is as expected by Ocean Cleanup;
- No observations were made concerning marine life interactions;
- Small particles float within the system, yet quantitative measurements need to be done;
- Plastic exits the system in a fast paste.
The factors that cause plastic to exit the system are:
- Slow moving of the system;
- The force of the wind makes the ends of the system to oscillate, which results to a motion force against the wind and into slowing down the system;
- The vibrations in the ends of the U-shape are possibly making a type of ripple-force field that repels the plastic away from as it nears the mouth of the system.
Moreover, according to Ocean Cleanup, a solution is still under consideration. However, the first solution to be thought is to address the speed difference by opening the U-shape about 60-70 meters wider. By doing this there are two possible effects:
- Increase the surface area that is exposed to the wind and waves;
- Reduction of the propulsive force caused by the undulating ends. In this way, it would not be directed straight into the motion direction of the system.
In order to achieve the extension of U-shape, Ocean Cleanup will make several attempts until reaching the desired results. Yet, the increased span of the system will affect negatively the system’s ability to rapidly pivot in the case where the wind directions alter. That is why, the foundation should be extra careful when increasing the span.
Finally, due to favorable weather conditions it is planned to implement the closing line extensions on Thursday, November 22.
