fredrik ausinsch imagines collector drone for algae abundance in the baltic sea

fredrik ausinsch imagines collector drone for algae abundance in the baltic sea
all images courtesy of fredrik ausinsch

transportation design masters student fredrik ausinsch at umea institute of design, proposed a drone to tackle the eruption of algae in the baltic sea. the algae sea collector would systematically remove the surface blooms which would result in a drastic reduction of toxins in the water, as well as prevent the spread anoxic sediments that would improve reproduction of local fish. 

schematic of the collector drone

the vessel pumps algae and water into a dewatering system and separates the biomass from the water. it would then be stored in a tank and the water reused to thrust the drone forward. the concept is based on hydrogen fuel cell technology with two electric driven pumps. the drone would be operated from an external cockpit located in a service boat nearby which also empties and refuels when needed. fredrik ausinsch believes that by removing the abundance of algae, the biomass can be a future resource for biofuel production for higher energy needs.

the drone collector’s route unmanned, the concept would use hydrogen fuel cell technology  the drone would travel one to four knots collecting the algae  the wings would adjust to accommodate the depth of the algae sketches of the concept  the scale of the drone