As I have stated in my previous articles , Ecodrifter version 1 had quite a few limitations which I have tried to address in version 2.

Evolution from Ecodrifter 1.0: Identifying Core Challenges

The initial version of Ecodrifter revealed some critical limitations that needed addressing:

The main limitations of the version were

1. Most of the plastic gets accumulated at the banks of the water bodies, the version 1 would not be able to do that effectively 
2. The collection speed wasn’t hitting the marks I needed
3. The storage capacity and the collection capacity was limited 
4. The first version struggled with handling plastic accumulation near riverbanks
5. Lack of autonomous capabilities meant constant manual operation
6. Storage and disposal logistics needed a major rethink
7. 12 V batteries drain out quickly ( in less than 15 minutes), can alternatives like solar cells be used?

I went back to the drawing board and took a completely different approach this time.

Three main design changes were needed

1. Large-Aperture Collection System
   • Expanded net design to maximize waste collection efficiency
   • Enhanced capability to handle larger volumes of debris
2. Enhanced Power and Propulsion
   • Stronger propellers and motors to maintain mobility even with full loads
   • Exploration of solar power integration as an alternative to 12V batteries
3. Portability and Practicality
   • Collapsible design components to fit within a suitcase
   • Modular approach for easy transport and deployment

Inorder to achieve the above goals, I did some research and study. I studied about the outrigger boat design. Outriggers are devices attached to a fishing boat’s sides and extend beyond the hull. They are typically made from metal or plastic and feature a series of long poles that are adjustable to different lengths. The purpose is to provide stability for the fishing boat and a platform from which to fish.

So finally I decided to move ahead in the following manner.

Outrigger-Inspired Collection System

By adapting outrigger principles to waste collection, I developed a multi-boat system:

• This design formation helps to maintain net tension
• This distributed approach maximizes collection efficiency and stability

Strategic Hull Selection

The hull design choice was based on intended operating conditions:

• Opted for a flat-bottom design initially as it is ideal for calm water testing environments (lakes) and provides excellent stability in controlled conditions
• Potential V-hull version for rougher waters

The first design I came up with was something like this with three similar boats horizontally connected using our good old UPVC pipes. The net was attached behind these boats.

In my first version, I used paddle wheels (kind of like what you see on those old-timey riverboats) because I thought they’d work well in shallow water. But I found out they weren’t as strong as I needed them to be.

So I started learning about propellers, and wow – I learned some really interesting stuff!

First, did you ever wonder why boats have their propellers at the back? Here’s the cool science behind it:

• When the propeller spins, it pushes water backward
• This creates a kind of empty space that other water rushes to fill
• That rushing water actually helps push the boat forward!
• If we put the propeller at the front, it would mess up how the boat moves through water – kind of like trying to swim with someone splashing water in your face

Then I figured out why propellers are better than paddle wheels:

• Paddle wheels are okay in calm water, like a pond
• But when waves come along, or when the boat gets heavier with collected trash, paddle wheels don’t work as well because they might not stay in the water
• Propellers, on the other hand, stay underwater all the time, so they keep working no matter what!

That’s why I decided to use propellers in my new version.

I used a 5mm thick sunboard to build the body of the boatbecause:

• It’s super lightweight, which helps the boat float better
• Its waterproof
• It’s strong enough to hold everything together
• Its flexible

Here’s my clever space-saving design: I made the middle boat the biggest, kind of like those Russian nesting dolls. Why? Because when we’re not using the boats, the two smaller boats can fit right inside the big one! Pretty cool, right? This means I can pack up the whole thing easily and carry it around.

As you can see from the initial design, the goal was to have the propellers in the main boat and the other two boats were supposed to be there to hold the net taut , hence a structure was created to mount the motors and propeller in the main boat.

I used universal joints to connect the propeller with the motor. A universal joint, also called a U-joint, is a mechanical component designed to transmit rotational power between two shafts whose axes are not aligned, allowing them to rotate at an angle to each other while still transferring power effectivelyThese joints help in multi directional movement of the rod.

Slave boat corners were covered with waterproof tape. Then the boats were then connected.

Dimensions of all objects used

1. Dimensions of the boat  : Length -25.6 inches length; Width- 15.3 inches and Height- 5 inches
2. Height of the outrigger connector arm -7.6 inch
3. Length of the connecter arms -24.7 inches
4. RPM of the motor -500
5. Distance between two motors – 15 inch
6. Sunboard thickness -5 mm

 

Here is a video of the actual test.

Today’s observations can be summed up as 

A. I tested the outrigger set up. Initially, there was leakage from the Prop mounts,which was solved by putting using  duct tape 

B. I tested the net being pulled by the outrigger. However, the net was sinking under its own weight. So therefore we had to duct tape a lot of plastic bottles and food packaging as ballast, and it worked perfectly.

C. My next goal is to add propellers to the outriggers for faster manoeuvring. This will mean we will need to add some chassis for rigidity for the outrigger.

D. We will need to add Rotary brushes at the tip of the outrigger to bring in trash that is next to the banks.