Researchers propose a new method for wind turbine blade recycling

Whereas wind vitality is turning into one of many fastest-growing vitality sources on this planet, wind turbine blade waste emerges as a essential situation. Addressing this pressing environmental concern, Lithuanian researchers have developed an revolutionary resolution, claiming that the advantages of pyrolysis might help scale back air pollution.

Wind turbine blades play a vital function in harnessing renewable vitality however as these blades attain the top of their operational lifespan, the difficulty of disposal turns into a critical concern.

Constituted of composite materialsresembling layers of fiberglass or carbon fiber bolstered with epoxy or polyester resin, these wind turbine blades can be utilized for 20 to 25 years. Whereas these supplies make sure the power, lightness, and stiffness of turbine blades, additionally they considerably complicate the recycling of the tools.

Pyrolysis: A promising technique for wind turbine blade recycling

Nevertheless, till a couple of years in the past, wind turbine blades have been nearly not possible to recycle. Typical disposal strategies, resembling landfilling, pose environmental risks and useful resource depletion. Globally, groups of researchers are in search of revolutionary options to those points.

In 2022, Dr. Samy Yousef, a researcher at Kaunas College of Know-how (KTU) School of Mechanical Engineering and Design, and a workforce of researchers from the Lithuanian Vitality Institute accomplished a series of experiments to discover a technique to recycle wind turbine blades.

Their experiments consisted of breaking down outdated composite supplies, resembling glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites, in a pyrolysis course of utilizing a particular catalyst. By doing so, they aimed to separate beneficial elements for reuse and recycle outdated composite supplies into helpful vitality.

Earlier experiments on samples of wind turbine blades have supplied beneficial insights into their composition and pyrolysis course of. Nevertheless, limitations within the availability of samples interfered with the identification of the particular recycling final result. A necessity for an actual wind turbine blade to proceed analysis was expressed.

In 2023, Dr. Yousef and his workforce continued their experiments. This time—on actual wind turbine blade fragments, supplied by a Danish firm “European Energy A/S.”

“In our new research, experiments were performed on fragments of real wind turbine blades, allowing the yield and composition of final products to be determined,” says Dr. Yousef. The findings have been published within the journal Environmental Analysis.

The primary element is harmful to well being and the surroundings

The evaluation of a number of wind turbine blades revealed that unsaturated polyester resins are predominant within the manufacturing of wind generators within the Baltic area because of their cost-effectiveness in comparison with epoxy resins. Styrene, a major element of polyester resin, poses vital environmental and well being dangers.

“When disposed of in landfills, it becomes highly toxic for humans and can cause lung cancer. In addition, styrene can pollute and poison groundwater and soil,” explains Dr. Yusef.

To handle this, the analysis workforce manufactured from KTU and Lithuanian Vitality Institute scientists efficiently extracted styrene from blades within the type of styrene-rich oil utilizing a pyrolysis reactor.

“The main goal of the research was to find a way to extract carbon fibers and resin from old wind turbine blades that are difficult to dispose of because they contain toxic substances and aren’t biodegradable,” says Dr. Yousef.

He provides that in the course of the experiments the fibers, carbon and fiberglass have been additionally recovered and purified by an oxidation course of, providing a sustainable filler materials to boost the mechanical properties of composite supplies.

As well as, the environmental affect of blade remedy utilizing the pyrolysis course of was calculated. Conducting the life cycle assessmentDr. Yousef’s workforce has found the numerous environmental potential of blade waste pyrolysis in comparison with landfill disposal. Specifically, concerning world warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, and fossil and mineral useful resource shortage.

“Results revealed remarkable improvements in various environmental indicators, with enhancements that range between 43% to 51%. This is a great achievement,” says Yousef.

Nevertheless, Dr. Yousef emphasizes that the technique nonetheless raises sure environmental challenges because of post-treatment processes resembling washing and oxidation.

“These issues need to be carefully managed, and only then should future developments take place,” he says.