Clean Surface mobile, solar powered solution for cleaning of oil spills

Purpose and goal

The project´s objective was to develop a mobile SurfCleaner that can be easily transported and used in areas with temporary or small oil spills. Therefore, in the design, we have worked on stringent requirements on weight, dimensions and energy consumption. We learned during the project that the greatest interest comes from industrial customers who are looking for a small, permanently installed SurfCleaner. We have therefore chosen not to supply the prototype with solar cells or battery, but designed for low power consumption to allow easy implementation using standard components.

Expected results and effects

The project has resulted in a prototype of a mobile SurfCleaner that we have tested for a month with good results. The new machine has newly developed mechanics and a new design for motor and drive electronics. The solution is modular with a generic SurfCleaner connected through a smart junction box which has data interface for remote control via 3G / 4G, WiFi or cable. Because of Corona we had to adjust the plan for evaluation of the prototype. As soon as the situation allows, we will continue with long-term testing and production adaptation, but this is outside the project.

Planned approach and implementation

The project’s objective was the development of a prototype of a mobile SurfCleaner for oil cleanup. During the first half of the project, we built an initial prototype with newly constructed motor and drive electronics in existing mechanics. During the second half of the project, we produced a final prototype that also had newly developed mechanics to meet the size and weight requirements. The plan worked well and has resulted in a well-functioning prototype on schedule. However, because of Corona we were not able to conduct a full evaluation. This work will continue after the project.