Project Overview
In collaboration with The Great Bubble Barrier®, the Municipality of Katwijk implemented groundbreaking technology to intercept plastic waste before it enters the sea. The Bubble Barrier operates by creating a curtain of air bubbles that rises from the riverbed to the water’s surface.
Compressed air is pumped through perforated tubes installed on the riverbed, generating a continuous stream of bubbles. This upward flow guides plastic waste—including particles as small as 1 millimetre—towards the surface. The river’s natural current then carries the waste to a collection system along the riverbank, where it is efficiently captured.
Testing has shown that the system captures approximately 86% of floating plastic waste, making the Bubble Barrier an effective and environmentally friendly solution for reducing plastic pollution in rivers.
MH Poly's Role
MH Poly Consultants & Engineers played a key role in the technical engineering of this project. Commissioned by Van den Herik and The Great Bubble Barrier®, MH Poly was responsible for several critical engineering components.
MH Poly designed and calculated the anchoring structure for the Bubble Barrier. This construction ensures that the perforated pipe system remains accurately positioned and securely fixed to the riverbed, despite water currents and other external forces.
The Bubble Barrier in Katwijk has a total length of 118.5 metres and consists of six segments of perforated pipes. The system is secured in place using specially designed ballast slabs. MH Poly carried out the structural calculations to determine the precise ballast weight required for a safe, stable, and durable installation.
In addition, MH Poly engineered the anchoring system for the floating waste collection unit. This collection system is attached to the quay while remaining free to move with changing water levels, ensuring efficient waste collection under all operating conditions.
Results and Impact
The Bubble Barrier in Katwijk is now successfully operational and represents an important step towards cleaner rivers and oceans. The project demonstrates how innovative engineering and close collaboration can contribute to a more sustainable environment.
By intercepting plastic waste before it reaches the sea, the system significantly reduces the impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems. The Great Bubble Barrier is therefore not only an innovative engineering solution, but also an important contribution to environmental protection.
Project Activities
- Participation in technical brainstorming sessions with The Great Bubble Barrier® and Van den Herik
- Assessment of the existing quay structure in Katwijk
- Structural calculations for the Bubble Barrier ballast system
- Design and engineering calculations for the anchoring system of the floating waste collection unit
- Preparation of detailed production drawings for the anchoring structure
