Executive Summary

The Challenge

Marine oil spills are a persistent and critical threat to marine ecosystems, human health, and regional economies, particularly in high-risk areas like the Philippines and Japan. These regions host vital shipping lanes where frequent oil spills cause devastating environmental and economic consequences. Despite technological advancements, current cleanup methods are largely inefficient, environmentally harmful, and labor-intensive. Mechanical recovery and chemical dispersants are constrained by their inability to handle large-scale spills, their reliance on human intervention in hazardous conditions, and their long-term environmental impact. Filtration techniques using conventional materials often absorb oil and water, reducing efficiency and secondary pollution.

The Solution

To address this gap, the Oil Recovery Clean-Up Automated System (ORCAS) has been conceptualized as a groundbreaking approach to marine oil spill cleanup. ORCAS integrates cutting-edge technologies, including AI-driven mapping, autonomous suction systems, and eco-friendly filtration materials, to deliver a scalable and sustainable response to oil spills. This project seeks to transform oil spill cleanup operations by minimizing ecological impact, enhancing recovery efficiency, and reducing risks to human health.

Project Objectives

This study seeks to fill a significant gap in oil spill management technology by addressing the inefficiencies and environmental concerns associated with traditional methods. The primary objectives of the ORCAS project are:

• Design, develop, and test an autonomous oil spill cleanup system integrating coconut-mica filtration and machine learning-based navigation
• Evaluate the system's performance under controlled and simulated conditions, including oil recovery efficiency, scalability, and adaptability
• Establish ORCAS as a sustainable alternative to conventional methods, addressing environmental, operational, and safety concerns
• Refine the filtration system and operational algorithms for maximum efficiency in diverse marine conditions

Expected Outcomes