Video: Scale Model Tests of The Ocean Cleanup System

The Ocean Cleanup has conducted new scale model tests of its system, described as “the most advanced” the company has carried out so far. 

The tests, conducted at Maritime Research Institute Netherlands’ (MARIN) Offshore Basin, preceded the completion of assembly and the upcoming deployment of the first fully operational Ocean Cleanup system in the Great Pacific Ocean.

“And as we learn more about our system (through continued testing), we are able to adapt and redesign our system, as needed, in order to have the best possible chance of our system effectively working in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” the company said.

As explained, the extensive series of tests allowed The Ocean Cleanup to receive detailed quantitative data on screen motions and forces in the screen, test the operational conditions of the screen and test the towing configuration of the screen — imitating the system when it will be in tow to the GPGP.

“Our preliminary conclusions from the tests are that the motions and forces are in the range of what we expected based on our numerical modeling. For peak functioning in the GPGP, we have optimized the screen design to accommodate the motions and loads that we expect it to endure. This means that the assembly and deployment of System 001 will continue as scheduled,” the company further said.

Video: The Ocean Cleanup