Design Summary & Analysis Draft #3

Introducing the Seabin Project - Summary Analysis Draft # 3

MEC1281

Summary Analysis

Draft #3 

By Lek Jia Yu

21st Feb 2021

In the article "Introducing the Seabin Project" (2018), Jateff highlights the benefits of Seabin as a front-line approach to countering plastic pollution by capturing surface debris near land before it escapes into the ocean. The author mentions that many sea-creatures are harmed due to the eight million tons of pollutant, mostly plastic, added to the ocean yearly. The author explains that the shore-powered Seabin uses a motor to create a whirlpool, filtering the debris from water into a catch-bag and ejecting clean water back out. The Seabin is also equipped with oil absorbent pads that clean surface water of oil containments. However, the author mentions that the Seabin needs to be placed strategically for maximised collection due to being unable to capture debris from a distance. The author claims that the Seabin is still developing a "zero-carbon power option" using solar panels and a "recycled material catch-bag." 

While Jateff describes Seabin as one of the solutions to plastic pollution to the sea, the three limitations, the size of the catch-bag, the water pump’s weak flow rate and the Seabin's overall design as a skimmer renders it ineffective in controlling the plastic flow to the ocean.

One of the limitations that render Seabin ineffective is the size of the catch-bag. The Seabin's catch-bag could not collect plastics larger than a 20-litre jerry can.  According to Akester (2019), large plastic such as styrofoam boxes and the buoy is commonly used for maritime purposes and therefore is a direct potential source of plastic pollution to the ocean. When these large plastics are left uncollected, it would break down into smaller pieces of plastics and eventually be reduced to microplastics particles (Plastic Action Centre, n.d.) that would escape into the ocean harming the marine-creatures. 

Another limitation of the Seabin is the water pump's weak flow rate. The water pump displaces the water inside the Seabin, creating a suction at the edge that pulls garbage inside it (Haeberlin, 2010). However, due to the water pump's weak flow rate, it could not create a stronger suction to attract garbage from a distance and instead relies on the water current and the wind to push the debris ("The Seabin floating rubbish bin," n.d. ). If there isn't a calm wind and water current, this would significantly affect Seabin's performance. Additionally, large plastics that are up against the Seabin could potentially be swept away due to the weak suction.

Lastly, the Seabin overall design as a skimmer limits trash collection to floating plastics only. The article "The Seabin" (n.d.), states that the Seabin unit acts as a floating garbage bin skimming the water's surface. This is a major flaw for a plastic collecting device as plastics that are denser than seawater or have lost their air bubbles due to being agitated by the waves, such as plastic bottles and cups, would sink and never be seen again (Johnson, 2012). When these plastic sinks, it is unlikely to be sucked into the Seabin. 

In conclusion, maximising the collection of both large plastics as well as microplastic by improving and modifying Seabin's design is essential to curb the plastic flow to the ocean.


Reference list:

Jateff, E. (2018). Introducing the Seabin Project. Retrieved from www.sea.museum/2018/06/08/introducing-the-seabin-project

Akester, H. (2019). How big a problem is ocean polystyrene pollution. Retrieved from https://phys.org/news/2019-12-big-problem-ocean-polystyrene-pollution.html#:~:text=Laboratory%20research%20suggests%20that%20foamed,such%20as%20fish%20or%20squid. 

Plastic Action Centre. (n.d.). Microplastics are being found in oceans and waterways all around the world. Retrieved from https://plasticactioncentre.ca/directory/how-plastics-breakdown-into microplastics/#:~:text=Plastic%20waste%20in%20water%20systems,eventually%20reduced%20to%20microplastic%20particles.

The Seabin floating rubbish bin collecting waste from the water surface. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ideassonline.org/public/pdf/SeabinProject-ENG.pdf 

Haeberlin, C. (2019). The Seabin Project. Retrieved from https://hydroheart.org/2019/01/19/seabin-project/

The Seabin. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://plasticsmartcities.org/products/the-seabin

Johnson, H. (2012). Plastics in the Ocean: How Dense Are We?. Retrieved from https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/plastics-in-the-ocean-how-dense-are-we/



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