Design and Validation of a Teleoperated Oleophilic Belt Skimmer for Intelligent Marine Oil Spill Recovery

Diburga H.J.G.; Olano C.G.P.M.; Alquizar L.A.S.; Navarro J.A.C.; Acosta A.K.N.; Quispe M.A.L. · International Conference on Electrical, Computer, Communications and Mechatronics Engineering, ICECCME 2025 (2025) · DOI: 10.1109/iceccme64568.2025.11277631

Resumen

This work presents the design, construction, and experimental validation of a teleoperated oleophilic belt skimmer intended for the efficient recovery of marine oil spills. The proposed system integrates a rotating inclined belt lined with hydrophobic and oleophilic polypropylene tabs, which enhance selective hydrocarbon adhesion while minimizing water intake. Collected oil is mechanically scraped and transferred to an onboard containment tray. Under theoretical conditions -belt speed of 25 RPM and an oil film thickness of 0.5 mm - the estimated recovery rate reaches up to 380 liters per hour, while field tests showed practical recovery rates of around 250 liters per hour, outperforming traditional drum skimmers. The system's low - speed operation increases adhesion efficiency by extending contact time between oil and belt surface. Future integrations with an intelligent teleoperation module, PID speed control, remote monitoring, and an HMI panel aims to enable real-time parameter adjustments according to changing environmental conditions. The prototype demonstrates a scalable, energy - efficient, and environmentally responsible solution for oil spill mitigation in coastal and shallow waters. The results contribute to the development of smart, remotely operated systems for marine environmental protection.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas