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plasTEP

 Output characterisation
OUTPUT SENTENCE

Dissemination and fostering of plasma based technological innovation for environment protection in the Baltic Sea region 

 
OUTPUT TYPEprototype 
WATER TOPICQuality of natural systems 
KEYWORDSPlasma technology, pollution control, kerosene, water surface 
MARKET NEED TAILORED

During the last decade shipping has steadily increased, reflecting intensifying co-operation and economic prosperity around the Baltic Sea region. An average of 2,000 ships are at sea each day, including 200 tankers carrying oil or other potentially harmful products. It is estimated that the transportation of goods by sea will double by 2017 in the Baltic region. General cargo and container traffic is expected to triple, and oil transportation may increase by 40%. The expansion and construction of oil terminals on the shores of the Gulf of Finland and regional economic growth may lead to even higher increases in shipping. Increasing maritime transportation threatens fragile ecosystems and the livelihoods of  many people who depend on the sea. Increased shipping is accompanied with increased operation in Baltic Sea ports. As a result frequency of small leakages of oil and bilge water become higher, most of all in the port and docs area. 

 
OUTPUT DESCRIPTION

The aim of the Work Package 6 of the PlasTEP project was developing a prototype of mobile device for destruction of oil and oil-type leakages in ports of the Baltic Sea using plasma. The concept of the entire device is based on the module construction. All modules are fixed on the platform equipped with floats. The following main modules has been developed:

–    power supply module – which provides proper voltage and current to all electrical components of the device, including pumps, valves, rotors, high voltage sections of plasma modules,

–    first plasma module – the role of which is using microwave plasma for conversion of oil slick polluting sea surface to gaseous hydrocarbons,

–    second plasma module with filters – it has to decompose gaseous hydrocarbons transported from the first plasma section into harmless products.

On the platform, besides above mentioned modules, also other element of the device are installed, such us high pressure flask with nitrogen delivering gas to plasma modules, and drum separator for oil-water separation.

 
STATE OF DEVELOPMENT

The prototype of the plasma device is operational. It was tested at simulated conditions, i.e. in the pool filled with water on the surface of which a small amount of kerosene was splashed.

Tests carried out in the laboratory proved that microwave plasma and dielectric discharge plasma efficiently decomposes kerosene and both plasmas as combined serially have potential to process much more oil than used in the tests.

Presently used power supply system guarantees operation of the device for about 30 minutes after which it uses solar energy for 4 hours to charge batteries fully.

The present prototype of the mobile device for destruction of oil slick is developed for the use in ports only. This is determined by the construction of oil-water separator which requires steady-state water level for the efficient operation. Any disturbances of the water level, caused for example by the wind or move of ships, may result in flooding the separator and consequently in processing water instead of kerosene.

 

 
INNOVATIVE ASPECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Since the only available way of destruction of such waste is incineration, pollution of air in the Baltic Sea region with combustion products increases. Moreover, incineration is energetically inefficient and expensive. We propose a new mobile device as a tool for removal and destruction of all kind of pollutions discharges from ships and operating installations. Using mobile devices which could destroy oil and oil-kind slicks directly on the sea surface would much decrease both energy consumption and air pollution.

 
INTELLECTUAL/INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

-      Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Gdańsk, Poland – as constructors of microwave plasma module,

-      West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland – as constructors of power supply,

Leibniz-Institut für Plasmaforschung und Technologie e.V., Greifswald, Germany – as constructors of DBD plasma module

 
TRANSFERABILITY

YES transferable

 
POTENTIAL USERS/CLIENTS

Oil skimmers producers, companies combating oils-slicks, port management administrations

 
BUSINNESS CASENo 
 Estimation of risks
INNOVATIVE DISADVANTAGE

NON listed

EVALUATION OF RISKS FOR OUTPUT USERS

Some risks were eveluated in the REMAS sheet, however the general evaluation is positive

ECONOMICAL RISKSobtaining addtional donations
TECHNICAL RISKSAdditional translation might be required
MARKET RISKSChangebility of market needs (in relation to the output usefulness)
SOCIAL RISKSNegociations with end-users, partners, etc.
 Steps ahead
NEXT STEPS TO ACHIEVE THE STATUS 'READY TO USE'

Development of the prototype by improving oil collection, transfer of oil into the microwave plasma zone and adding remote control and propellers.

INVOLVEMENT OF THE OWNER FOR THE NEXT STEPSYES
TYPE OF PARTNER FOR THE NEXT DEVELOPMENTS-
TASKS TO BE PERFORMED

Adidtional dissemination

Obtaining source of additional financing

Development of the prototype by improving oil collection

Transfer of oil into the microwave plasma zone and adding remote control and propellers.

COLLABORATION DETAILS
 Dr. Mirosław Dors, Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Gdańsk, Poland, E-mail: mdors@imp.gda.pl, Project contact: Project manager,
Dipl. Ing. Alexander Schwock
Fon: + 49 (0)3834 550 102 
Fax: + 49 (0)3834 550 111 
E-Mail: schwock(at)technologiezentrum.de
 Estimation of ressources
RESOURCES FOR NEXT STEPS

-          financing development of the prototype

-           testing pool

FORESEEN COSTS FOR NEXT STEPS

 financial support required for development and dissemination activities

 Contact
TECHNICAL CONTACTDr. Mirosław Dors, Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Gdańsk, Poland, E-mail: mdors@imp.gda.pl, Project contact: Project manager, Dipl. Ing. Alexander Schwock Fon: + 49 (0)3834 550 102 Fax: + 49 (0)3834 550 111 E-Mail: schwock(at)technologiezentrum.de 
COUNTRYDENMARK 
WEBSITEhttp://www.plastep.eu/ 
WATER RTOM CONTACTola.m@gfw.pl 
 Background
PROJECT NAMEDissemination and fostering of plasma based technological innovation for environment protection in the Baltic Sea region  
PROJECT ACRONYMPlasTEP 
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONThe aim of the Work Package 6 of the PlasTEP project was developing a prototype of mobile device for destruction of oil and oil-type leakages in ports of the Baltic Sea using plasma. The concept of the entire device is based on the module construction. All modules are fixed on the platform equipped with floats. The following main modules has been developed: – power supply module – which provides proper voltage and current to all electrical components of the device, including pumps, valves, rotors, high voltage sections of plasma modules, – first plasma module – the role of which is using microwave plasma for conversion of oil slick polluting sea surface to gaseous hydrocarbons, – second plasma module with filters – it has to decompose gaseous hydrocarbons transported from the first plasma section into harmless products. On the platform, besides above mentioned modules, also other element of the device are installed, such us high pressure flask with nitrogen delivering gas to plasma modules, and drum separator for oil-water separation. 
LEADERMirosław Dors, Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Gdańsk, Poland, E-mail: mdors@imp.gda.pl, Project contact: Project manager, Dipl. Ing. Alexander Schwock Fon: + 49 (0)3834 550 102 Fax: + 49 (0)3834 550 111 E-Mail: schwock(at)technologiezentrum.de 
COUNTRIES INVOLVEDGermany(leader), Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Poland Estonia 
PROJECT LOCATIONGermany 
FUNDING ORGANISATIONBaltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 

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