NL2026075B1 - Semi-submersible ramp, a system, a vessel and a method for removing plastic materials from a body of water - Google Patents

Abstract

A semi—submersible ramp, for removing plastic materials from a body of water, comprising a submersible hydrofoil, and a slide, extending upward as trailing end (4) from the hydrofoil, comprising‘ a slide surface. At least one of the hydrofoil and slide is arranged for scooping the plastic materials up from the body of water using a relative movement of the ramp with respect to the body of water. The ramp further comprises a fluid intake provided to the hydrofoil or the slide for receiving a fluid flow from the body of water, and a fluid channel extending from the fluid intake and debouching to the slide surface. The fluid intake is arranged for directing the fluid flow through the fluid channel, resulting from said relative movement of the ramp with respect to the body of water, upward along the slide surface such as to transport the plastic materials against the force of gravity.

Description

Semi-submersible ramp, a system, a vessel and a method for removing plastic materials from a body of water The invention relates to a semi-submersible ramp, a system, a vessel and a method for removing plastic materials from a body of water.

Ocean pollution impacts marine ecosystems. The environmental impact of garbage ending up in the ocean or other bodies of water can be devastating and is still subject to much research. Non compostable plastic materials are a substantial source of the pollution of seas, oceans, lakes and rivers. More and more objects and debris tend to end up in coastal and oceanic environments, necessitating the development of systems and methods for reducing waste floating on or suspended near a water surface.

Several technologies have been developed for intercepting plastic debris from water surfaces. Presently, floating barrier systems, such as known from W02018208159, are used to collect floating objects from the ocean. Such barrier systems gather plastic in a particular area allowing its removal using a motorised removal system for lifting the plastic material out of the water. That is to say a barge drives a conveyor belt to remove plastic only once a sufficient amount of plastic has been collected within the barrier area. Such a system may also be used on a river, or on a sea. The barge will in such a situation expend fuel for its movement and for driving the conveyor. The movable components of the conveyor are further also vulnerable and require frequent maintenance under to (salt) water conditions.

There is a need for improving the ability to remove garbage from the body of water an effective manner, or a less energy intensive manner. Additionally, there is a need to reduce the vulnerability of the systems that remove the plastic garbage from a body of water.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is thus provided a semi-submersible ramp, for removing plastic materials from a body of water, such as a river, lake sea, ocean, canal, channel or pool. The plastic materials may be any polymer material suspended close to or at the water

- 2 = surface. The ramp comprises a submersible hydrofoil, and a slide which extends upward as trailing end from the hydrofoil. The slide comprises a slide surface. At least one of the hydrofoil and slide is arranged for scooping the plastic materials up from the body of water using a relative movement of the ramp with respect to the body of water. The ramp also comprises a fluid intake provided to the hydrofoil or the slide for receiving a fluid flow from the body of water. The ramp also comprises a fluid channel extending from the fluid intake and debouching to the slide surface. The fluid intake is further arranged for directing the fluid flow through the fluid channel. The term directed may be understood to mean guided. The fluid flow results from said relative movement of the ramp with respect to the body of water, upward along the slide surface such as to transport the plastic materials against the force of gravity. This beneficially allows the movement of the ramp to be exploited for generating a transport flow, namely the fluid flow, for transporting the scooped up plastic material out of the body of water. A benefit is that the ramp does not need to be powered or motorised, and that it does not require as many movable parts as a conveyor belt system. Thus, making it less susceptible vulnerable to the failure of moveable parts. In one example, the ramp may be installed to replace the motorized conveyor belt on a conventional barge.

Optionally the slide comprises at least one protrusion, such as a fin, extending from the slide for laterally spreading the plastic materials on, that is to say spreading out over, the slide surface. The protrusion may extend upward from a slide surface or extend forward to form a scooping plateau. Either of these cases prevents stagnation of materials during the scooping or the transportation thereof.

Optionally the slide comprises a back pressure valve, which may additionally, but not necessarily, be fitted within the fluid channel. The valve may comprise at least one rotationally adjustable blade for adjusting the velocity of the fluid flow through the fluid channel separately from the relative movement of the ramp through the body of water, that is to say with respect to the water. This back pressure valve

- 3 = allows the fluid flow to be adjusted in its velocity such that it can be maintained steady even if the relative movement of the ramp with respect to the body of water varies. This may be particularly useful when the ramp is used in a system which makes use of river currents. The back pressure valve may be operated by means of by a user via a human interface. Optionally and/or alternatively the slide comprises a plurality of through holes arranged to a lateral side of the slide, wherein the through holes are fluidly connected to the fluid channel for expelling a part of the fluid flow.

Optionally the intake is inwardly tapered for increasing a dynamic pressure of the fluid flow across the intake. This allows the slide to be longer, and the ramp to remain operational at a lower relative movement.

Optionally, the fluid intake is provided to the slide on a back surface 9 opposite the slide surface . This allows the fluid flow to enter the intake with a higher pressure due to the influence of the hydrofoil. Alternatively, the fluid intake may be provided to the hydrofoil on a forward facing part thereof for receiving the fluid flow. This allows the relative movement of the ramp, in particular the hydrofoil, with respect to the body of water to press the water into the inlet with an increased pressure.

Optionally, the slide surface narrows towards an upper end of the slide. This prevents plastic materials from stagnating toward the top of the slide, cluttering the slide.

Optionally, the intake is defined between the protrusion and a leading edge of the hydrofoil. This allows the protrusion, as a part of the slide, to act as a scoop.

This allows the material to be spread over the width of the slide as it is scooped from the body of water.

Optionally, the ramp is arranged for being hingedly articulated around a lateral axis. Preferably, the lateral axis is defined toward a top end of the slide. This allows the angle of the ramp, in particular the slide, with respect to a surface of the body of water to be adjusted such as to, for example, effect the received fluid flow to plastic materials ratio.

Optionally, the hydrofoil comprises a first actuator

- 4 - connector and a second actuator connector arranged on opposing lateral sides of the hydrofoil for moving the ramp thereby in an upward and a downward direction, such as for lifting the ramp out of the body of the body of water and lowering the ramp into the body of water. This allows the ramp to be safeguarded against disadvantageous weather conditions. The ramp may by these connectors be lifted out of the water. The connectors may be conventional connectors, such as hooks. Alternatively each of the connectors may also be a permanent connector, such as a bolt or a weld fixing a actuator element, such as a piston to the ramp.

Additionally and/or alternatively the ramp may comprise a buoy moving the ramp in an upward and a downward direction in reaction to a local change in water level of the body of water. The buoy may be a single or any number of floating bodies. The person skilled in the art will understand that the buoy can be understood to be any hollow object for providing buoyancy to the ramp.

Optionally, the hydrofoil may be shaped such as to generate lift due to a relative movement thereof with respect to the water. This allows the hydrofoil to lift itself out of the water under conditions that may exceed operational safety.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a cleaning system comprising a frame, the ramp according to any of the first aspect of the invention mounted to the frame, and a collector mounted to the frame. The collector comprises a primary receptacle arranged for receiving the directed fluid flow, or at least a part of the fluid flow, and the plastic materials from the ramp. The primary receptacle is pervious to the fluid flow. This beneficially allows the materials from being collected while returning the fluid flow to the body of water. Optionally, the primary receptacle comprises a coarse filter arranged for filtering the fluid flow received by the primary receptacle, wherein optionally the coarse filter has an effective pore size of 0.01-100 mm. This allows macroscopic plastic materials to be removed from the body of water. Additicnally, the system may have a collector comprising a drain and a secondary receptacle. The drain is arranged for receiving the filtered

— 5 = fluid flow from the primary receptacle. The secondary receptacle comprises a micro filter arranged for filtering the fluid flow received by the secondary receptacle, and wherein optionally the micro filter has an effective pore size of

0.01-100 mpm. This allows smaller plastic materials to be filtered as well. Returning an even cleaner fluid flow to the body of water. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided maritime vessel, such as a floating platform or boat, comprising the system according to the third aspect of the invention. Optionally, the system is provided between two opposite hull parts of the boat. According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method for removing plastic materials from a body of water comprising the steps of providing a system according to the third aspect of the invention, or more particularly a vessel according to the fourth aspect of the invention. The method comprises submersing the hydrofoil of the ramp in the body of water. This may be done in a way in which the slide extends outside of the body of water. The method further comprises moving the system relative to the body of water such that the fluid intake receives a fluid flow from the body of water. The plastic materials are scooped up from the body of water using at least one of the hydrofoil and slide. That is to say, optionally either the upper surface of the hydrofoil guides the plastic materials onto the slide surface, or the slide itself such as the protrusion or fin guides the plastic materials onto the slide surface by means of the relative movement. The received fluid flow is further used to transport the scooped up plastic materials against the force of gravity upward along the slide surface to the primary receptacle. Further separation steps may be subdivided in a macroscopic and microscopic filtration process, wherein the macroscopic filtration is performed upstream of the microscopic filtration process in order to prevent the clogging of the system. The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated with reference to the drawing of an exemplary embodiment of a deskinning apparatus according to the invention that is not limiting as to the appended claims.

- 6 — In the drawing: — Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the ramp according to the invention; — Figure 2 shows a top down view of the first embodiment of the ramp; — Figure 3A shows a perspective view of a part of a second embodiment of the ramp; — Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of a part of the second embodiment of the ramp; — Figure 4A shows a perspective view of a part of a third embodiment of the ramp; — Figure 4B shows a cross-sectional view of a part of the third embodiment of the ramp; — Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the ramp according to the invention; — Figure 6 shows a top down view of the fourth embodiment of the ramp in cooperation with another ramp according to the same embodiment; — Figure 7 shows a top down view of the system comprising a ramp according to the first embodiment; and — Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the system comprising a ramp according to the first embodiment.

According to a first aspect of the invention Figure 1 shows a semi-submersible ramp 1 according to a first embodiment, for removing plastic materials 0 from a body of water 2. This body of water may be any naturally occurring body of water such as, but not limited to, a river, a lake, a sea and an ocean. The body of water may also be a man made body of water such as a canal, a basin, a sweet water reservoir and a pool. The ramp consists of a submersible hydrofoil 3 and a slide 5. The ramp is arranged for being submerged such that the hydrofoil is substantially entirely below the surface of the body of water, and such that the ramp is substantially entirely above the surface of the body of water. The slide 5, has a slide surface 7, and extends upward as trailing end 4 from the hydrofoil 3. In this example a leading edge 16 projects forward from the hydrofoil against a direction of relative movement M from the surface of the hydrofoil. In this example the ramp 1 is moved through the

- 7 = body of water 2 in a direction opposite to the direction M.

However, alternatively, the ramp 1 could also be stationary, but placed in a current of water flowing in the direction M to the same effect.

In one example the ramp may be positioned such as to make use of the current of a river or a canal.

The ramp may to this end be suspended into the water from above a canal or channel.

The hydrofoil 3 can be seen to have a curved upper surface and a substantially flat lower surface.

This allows water to travel at a different speed along the top of the upper surface of the hydrofoil than along the lower surface of the hydrofoil.

The hydrofoil 3 is arranged for scooping the plastic materials up from the body of water using a relative movement of the ramp 1 with respect to the body of water.

The plastic materials are here more specifically buoyant plastic materials.

Due to their proximity to the surface of the water they can be guided across the upper surface of the hydrofoil to the slide.

In use, the ramp is hingedly articulated around a lateral axis 19 to a part of a platform, boat or construct that is suspended above the surface of the body of water.

In use, the ramp is lowered into the water in such a manner that it extends approximately 70 cm below the surface level of the water and such that the slide surface makes an angle in the range of 25-45 degrees.

The plastic materials which are scooped up are carried by a thin layer of water up the slide surface.

The plastic materials are prevented from becoming stranded on the slide surface and are instead carried further upward along the slide surface up to the top of the ramp, more specifically to the upper end 13 of the slide.

A fluid intake 10 is provided to the slide 5 for receiving a fluid flow from the body of water.

This fluid flow would itself be a water flow also separate from this embodiment.

The fluid intake 10 is more specifically provided to the slide on a back surface 9 opposite the slide surface 7. A fluid channel 11 is further also provided and extends from the fluid intake 10 and debouches to the slide surface 7. That is to say the fluid flow exits through an opening in the slide surface.

The fluid intake 10 is arranged for directing the fluid flow through the fluid channel 11. In this case the location of the opening makes use of the pressure difference

- 8 - between water flowing over the hydrofoil and water flowing underneath the hydrofoil. This pressure difference is exploited for generating the fluid flow through the fluid channel 11. This fluid flow 1s what picks up the plastic materials and carries the materials upward along the slide to the top of the slide. The materials carried up the slide and away from the body of water can subsequently be collected. Figure 2 shows a top down view of the ramp 1. Here it can be seen that the ramp has at least one protrusion 15, namely a fin which extends from the slide 5 for laterally spreading the plastic materials 0 on the slide surface 7. This allows materials to be more evenly spread out such that the materials experience less to no friction with the slide itself preventing materials from becoming trapped on the slide and allowing the materials to be carried by a thinner layer of water.

Another feature, also separate from this example, is that the slide can be seen to have a back pressure valve 17 fitted within the fluid channel 11, such as within an outlet of the fluid channel. The valve has, at least one but in this example, three rotationally adjustable blades 17.1, 17.2, 17.3 for providing a level of back pressure to the fluid channel 11 to adjust the velocity of the fluid flow. Using this component the fluid flow can be adjusted to a predetermined fluid flow even if the relative movement of the ramp through the body of water changes. This allows for a consistent performance of the ramp under variable conditions of motion.

Yet another feature can be identified in that the hydrofoil 3 comprises a first actuator connector 21.1 and a second actuator connector 21.2 arranged on opposing lateral sides 23.1, 23.2 of the hydrofoil for moving the ramp thereby in an upward and a downward direction, such as for lifting the ramp out of the body of the body of water and lowering the ramp into the body of water.

Figure 2 also shows that the slide surface 7 can narrow towards an upper end 13 of the slide 5. In this example, the slide surface 13 exists a surface between two upstanding walls 22.1, 22.2 which extend in a converging manner toward the upper end 13 of the slide 5.

- 9 — Figures 3A and 3B show the semi-submersible ramp 1’ according to a second embodiment.

In the example of this ramp 17 only differences with respect to the ramp 1 according to the first embodiment are discussed.

Whenever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.

In this example the fluid intake 10 is instead provided to the hydrofoil 3. In fact, in this example the fluid intake comprises a plurality of fluid intakes.

The fluid intake 10, in this example each of the fluid intakes, is provided to the hydrofoil 3 on a forward facing part 12 thereof.

In this example, the relative movement of the ramp 1° through the body of water allows the fluid flow to be forced up through the intake and up the channel 11. A plurality of intakes is beneficial in that the ramp 1’ retains its function even after a clogging event of one of the intakes.

In Figure 3B it can further be seen that the intake 10, in this case each of the intakes, can be inwardly tapered for increasing a dynamic pressure of the fluid flow across the intake.

This allows the ramp 1’ to function at lower relative speeds.

This particular feature is independently implementable across all embodiments.

The intake comprising a plurality of sub-intakes is not required.

However, the existence of a plurality of sub- intakes may be beneficial in that the function of the ramp is not compromised through the clogging of a single sub-intake.

Figures 4A and 4B show the semi-submersible ramp 177 according to a third embodiment.

In the example of this ramp 17" only differences with respect to the ramp 1’ according to the second embodiment are discussed.

Whenever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.

In this example the intakes 10 is circular, elliptical, or oval.

Figure 4B shows that instead the fluid channel may itself may narrow for increasing a dynamic pressure of the fluid flow across the fluid channel.

Figure 5 show a cross section A-A of the semi- submersible ramp 1’’’ according to a fourth embodiment as also shown in Figure 6. In the example of this ramp 1’’’ only differences with respect to the ramp 1 according to the first embodiment are discussed.

Whenever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, these numerals refer to the

- 10 = same parts. In this example the intake is defined between the protrusion 15 and a leading edge of the hydrofoil 16. The fin extends in a forward from the slide against the direction of relative movement M. The ramp can be seen to have a buoy 23 arranged for moving the ramp in an upward and a downward direction in reaction to a local change in water level of the body of water. In this example the back pressure valve 17 only one rotationally adjustable blade 17.1. The fluid flow may further be expelled through a series of outlets 26 on the slide surface. In use, these outlets are approximately 15-20 cm above the surface of the body of water.

Figure 6 shows the top down view of a series of laterally adjoined ramps 1’. Here it can be seen that ramps irr’ also separate from this example may be hingedly articulated around a same lateral axis 19. In this example the upper surface of the protrusion 15, in this case the fin, allows for a scooping of the plastic materials. The upper surface of the fin gradually transitions to the slide surface. Slide surfaces of neighboring ramps are prevented from fluidly communicating by means of a divider wall 28.

According to a second aspect of the invention A cleaning system 1000 is provided. Figure 7 shows a top down view of an example of such a cleaning system 1000. The system can be seen to have a frame 100, such as the hull of a nautical vessel, like a boat or floating platform. The system also has the ramp 1 according to the first embodiment. However, the ramp according to any of the other embodiments may alternatively also be used. In this example only one ramp is shown, however it may be clear that a plurality of ramps may also be provided, such as ramps sharing the same axis of rotation. The ramp 1 is in this example mounted to the frame 100 in such a way that it hingedly articulated around axis 19. A collector 101 is also mounted to the frame in a fixed manner. The collector 101 has a primary receptacle 103 arranged for receiving the fluid flow that carries the plastic materials along the slide. The primary receptacle is pervious to the fluid flow. That is to say the primary receptacle is a drip tray that allows water to freely pass through while retaining macroscopic plastic materials. The primary

- 11 - receptacle 103 may even have a coarse filter 105 arranged for filtering the fluid flow received by the primary receptacle. A cross-sectional view B-B of the system is shown in Figure 8. Here it can be seen that the coarse filter is fitted in the bottom of the primary receptacle. In this example the coarse filter has an effective pore size of 0.01-100 mm. The coarse filter may be a metal filter basket, a sponge, a cloth, a foam, or a gravel bed. The collector also has a drain 107 and a secondary receptacle 109. The drain is arranged for receiving the filtered fluid flow from the primary receptacle, wherein the secondary receptacle 109 is fitted with a micro filter 111 arranged for filtering the fluid flow received by the secondary receptacle. In this example the micro filter has an effective pore size of 0.01-100 pm. In the cross-sectional view B-B of Figure 8 it can also be seen that an actuator 24 that by the connectors 21.1, 21.2 an actuator 24, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic piston may thus be connected to the ramp in order to lift the ramp, lower the ramp, or keep it firmly in position with respect to a frame 100 with which the ramp may be connected. The system may be provided as part of a maritime vessel, such as a boat or a floating platform. The maritime vessel is not explicitly shown. However, the frame may be a part of the hull of a boat as shown in Figure 7. Such a ship or platform may be manned or autonomous.

According to third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for removing the plastic materials 0 from a body of water 2 comprising the steps of providing a system according to the second aspect of the invention. It will be appreciated that this method allows the system 1000 to comprise any of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention. In this method the hydrofoil 3 of the ramp is submersed in the body of water. This can be accomplished by lowering the ramp down into the water such that the hydrofoil is submerged and wherein the slide is substantially entirely or at least partially above the surface level of the body of water. The method also comprises the step of moving the system relative to the body of water such that the fluid intake 10 receives the fluid flow from the body of water. That is to say, the system may itself be moved through the body of water,

- 12 — such as when the system is provided as part of a maritime vessel. To this end the maritime vessel may be provided with a propulsion means, such as an engine. Alternatively, a current in the water may be exploited or otherwise used, wherein the system is stationary with respect to a land mass surrounding the body of water. In this situation the ramp may be lowered such that the hydrofoil can make use of a current that may naturally occur in the body of water. The method also includes the step of scooping the plastic materials up from the body of water using at least one of the hydrofoil and slide. The received fluid flow may subsequently be used to transport the scooped up plastic materials against the force of gravity upward along the slide surface to the primary receptacle.

Additionally the system may be used to separate the plastic materials from the fluid flow, such as through at least one filtration, wherein the at least first filtration comprises a primary filtration for filtering macroscopic plastic materials from the fluid flow and a secondary filtration for filtering microscopic plastic materials from the fluid flow. The primary filtration The above refers to the coarse filter and the micro filter.

Although the invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention, the invention is not restricted to this particular embodiment which can be varied in many ways without departing from the invention. The discussed exemplary embodiment shall therefore not be used to construe the appended claims strictly in accordance therewith. On the contrary the embodiment is merely intended to explain the wording of the appended claims without intent to limit the claims to this exemplary embodiment. The scope of protection of the invention shall therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims only, wherein a possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims shall be resolved using this exemplary embodiment.

Accordingly, there is provided herein an invention according to the following embodiments:

1. A semi-submersible ramp (1), for removing plastic

- 13 = materials (0) from a body of water (2), comprising: — a submersible hydrofoil (3); — a slide (hb), extending upward as trailing end (4) from the hydrofoil (3), comprising a slide surface (7), wherein at least one of the hydrofoil (3) and slide (5) is arranged for scooping the plastic materials up from the body of water using a relative movement of the ramp (1) with respect to the body of water; — a fluid intake (10) provided to the hydrofoil (3) or the slide (5) for receiving a fluid flow from the body of water; and — a fluid channel (11) extending from the fluid intake (10) and debouching to the slide surface (7) wherein the fluid intake (10) is arranged for directing the fluid flow through the fluid channel (11), resulting from said relative movement of the ramp with respect to the body of water, upward along the slide surface (7) such as to transport the plastic materials (0) against the force of gravity.

2. The ramp according to embodiment 1, wherein the slide comprises at least one protrusion (15), such as a fin, extending from the slide (5) for laterally spreading the plastic materials (0) on the slide surface (7).

3. The ramp according to any of embodiments 1-2, wherein the slide comprises a back pressure valve (17), optionally fitted within the fluid channel (11), wherein optionally the valve comprises at least one rotationally adjustable blade (17.1, 17.2, 17.3) for adjusting the velocity of the fluid flow through the fluid channel separately from the relative movement of the ramp through the body of water.

4. The ramp according to any of the embodiments 1-3, wherein the intake (10) is inwardly tapered for increasing a dynamic pressure of the fluid flow across the intake.

5. The ramp according to any of embodiments 1-4, wherein the fluid intake (10) is provided to the slide on a back surface (9) opposite the slide surface (7).

6. The ramp according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the fluid intake (10) is provided to the hydrofeil (3) on a forward facing part (12) thereof for receiving the fluid flow.

- 14 —

7. The ramp according to any of embodiments 1-6, wherein the slide surface (7) narrows towards an upper end (13) of the slide (5).

8. The ramp according to at least embodiment 2, wherein the intake is defined between the protrusion (15) and a leading edge of the hydrofoil (16).

9. The ramp according to at any of embodiments 1-8, wherein the ramp is arranged for being hingedly articulated around a lateral axis (19).

10. The ramp according to embodiment 9, wherein the hydrofoil (3) comprises a first actuator connector (21.1) and a second actuator connector (21.2) arranged on opposing lateral sides (23.1, 23.2) of the hydrofoil for moving the ramp thereby in an upward and a downward direction, such as for lifting the ramp out of the body of the body of water and lowering the ramp into the body of water.

11. The ramp according to embodiment 9, wherein the ramp comprises a buoy (23) arranged for moving the ramp in an upward and a downward direction in reaction to a local change in water level of the body of water.

12. A cleaning system (1000) comprising: — a frame (100); — the ramp (1) according to any of the preceding embodiments 1-11 mounted to the frame; and — a collector (101) mounted to the frame, wherein the collector comprises a primary receptacle (103) arranged for receiving the directed fluid flow and the plastic materials (0) from the ramp (1), wherein the primary receptacle is pervious to the fluid flow.

13. The system according to embodiment 12, wherein the primary receptacle (103) comprises a coarse filter (105) arranged for filtering the fluid flow received by the primary receptacle, wherein optionally the coarse filter has an effective pore size of 0.01-100 mm.

14. The system according to embodiment 12 or 13, wherein the collector comprises a drain (107) and a secondary receptacle (109), wherein the drain is arranged for receiving the filtered fluid flow from the primary receptacle, wherein the secondary receptacle (109) comprises a micro filter (111)

- 15 = arranged for filtering the fluid flow received by the secondary receptacle, and wherein optionally the micro filter has an effective pore size of 0.01-100 um.

15. A maritime vessel, such as a floating platform or boat, comprising the system according to embodiment 12, 13 or

14.

16. A method for removing plastic materials (0) from a body of water (2) comprising the steps of: — providing a system according to any of the preceding embodiments 12-14; — submersing the hydrofoil (3) of the ramp (1) in the body of water (2) — moving the system relative to the body of water such that the fluid intake (10) receives a fluid flow from the body of water; — scooping the plastic materials (0) up from the body of water using at least one of the hydrofoil and slide; — using the received fluid flow to transport the scooped up plastic materials against the force of gravity upward along the slide surface (7) to the primary receptacle.

17. The method according to embodiment 16, further comprising the steps of: — separating the plastic materials from the fluid flow, such as through at least one filtration, wherein optionally, the at least first filtration comprises a primary filtration for filtering macroscopic plastic materials from the fluid flow and a secondary filtration for filtering microscopic plastic materials from the fluid flow. The above embodiments are reflected in the appended claims.

Claims (17)

- 16 - CONCLUSIONS A semi-submersible ramp (1), for removing plastic materials (0) from a water body (2), comprising: — a submersible water wing (3); - a slide (5), extending upwards (4) as a tail end from the waterwing (3), comprising a slide surface (7), wherein at least one of the waterwing (3) and slide (5) is arranged to move the plastic scoop up materials from the body of water by means of relative movement of the ramp (1) with respect to the body of water; - a liquid inlet (10) provided at the water wing (3) or the slide (5) for receiving a liquid flow from the water body; and - a fluid channel (11) extending from the fluid inlet (10) and opening into the slide surface (7), the fluid inlet (10) being arranged to permit the flow of fluid resulting from the relative movement of the ramp platform relative to the body of water through the directing fluid channel (11) up the slide surface (7) to transport the plastic materials (0) against gravity, The ramp platform according to claim 1, wherein the slide comprises at least one projection (15), such as a fin, extending from the slide (5) for laterally spreading the plastic materials (0) on the slide surface (7). . The ramp platform according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the slide comprises a back pressure valve (17) optionally mounted within the fluid channel (11), the valve optionally comprising at least one rotatably adjustable blade (17.1, 17.2, 17.3)) for adjusting the velocity of the liquid flow through the liquid channel separately from the relative movement of the ramp through the body of water. The ramp platform according to any one of the claims 17-1-3, wherein the inlet (10) tapers inwardly to increase a dynamic pressure of the liquid flow across the inlet. The ramp platform according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the liquid inlet (10) to the slide is provided at a rear surface (9) opposite the slide surface (7). The ramp platform according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the liquid inlet (10) to the water wing (3) is provided at a forward-facing portion (12) thereof for receiving the liquid flow. The ramp platform according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the slide surface (7) tapers towards an upper end (13) of the slide (5). The ramp platform according to at least claim 2, wherein the inlet is defined between the projection (15) and a leading edge of the waterwing (16). The ramp platform according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the ramp platform is adapted to be pivotally articulated about a lateral axis (19). The ramp platform according to claim 9, wherein the water wing (3) comprises a first actuator connector (21.1) and a second actuator connector (21.2) arranged on opposite lateral sides (23.1, 23.2) of the water wing to connect the ramp platform through them in a moving in an upward and a downward direction, such as for lifting the ramp platform from the water body and lowering the ramp platform into the water body. The ramp platform according to claim 9, wherein the ramp platform comprises a float (23) adapted to move the ramp platform up and down in response to a local change in the water level of the water body. 12. A cleaning system (1000) comprising: — a frame (100); - the ramp (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-11 mounted on the frame; and — a collector (101) mounted to the frame, - 18 - wherein the collector comprises a primary receptacle (103) adapted to receive the directed liquid flow and the plastic materials (0) from the ramp (1), the primary receptacle being permeable to the liquid flow. The system of claim 12, wherein the primary receptacle (103) comprises a coarse filter (105) arranged to filter the fluid stream received by the primary reservoir, optionally the coarse filter having an effective pore size of 0. .01-100mm. The system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the collector comprises a drain (107) and a secondary sump (109), the drain being adapted to receive the filtered liquid stream from the primary sump, the second sump (109 ) comprises a microfilter (111) adapted to filter the liquid stream collected by the secondary receptacle, and wherein the microfilter optionally has an effective pore size of 0.01-100 µm. A marine vessel, such as a floating platform or boat, comprising the system of claim 12, 13 or 14. A method for removing plastic materials (0) from a body of water (2) comprising the steps of: - providing a system according to any one of the preceding claims 12-14; - submerging the water wing (3) of the ramp platform (1) in the water body (2) - moving the system relative to the water body so that the liquid inlet (10) receives a liquid flow from the water body; — scooping up the plastic materials (0) from the water body using at least one of the water wing and slide; — using the received liquid stream to transport the scooped up plastic materials against gravity up the slide surface {7) to the primary receptacle. - 19 - The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: - separating the plastic materials from the liquid stream, such as by at least one filtration, optionally the at least first filtration comprising a primary filtration for filtering macroscopic plastic materials from the liquid stream and a secondary filtration for filtering microscopic plastic materials from the liquid stream.