AmericaThe consortium is led by GE, the world’s largest producer of thermoplastic propellers, which serves as an example of fully recycled wind turbine blades.
62m long GE recycled turbine propeller prototype. Photo: GE
Wind power makes an important contribution to helping people completely eliminate fossil fuels in the future, but the thermosetting plastic compounds in wind turbines cannot be recycled today. According to a study by the University of Cambridge, worldwide propeller waste by 2050 will amount to 43 million tons. GE’s Zero Waste Blade Research (ZEBRA) project is looking for more sustainable materials in the form of thermoplastics.
The prototype 62 m long propeller is made of synthetic resin Elium from Arkema company materials. It is a fiberglass reinforced thermoplastic. Not only is it completely recyclable, this compound offers the same performance as thermoset plastics, being extremely light and durable.
Through chemical recycling methods, GE is able to depolymerize the material, turning it into a new synthetic resin for reuse. Over the next few weeks, wind power company LM Wind Power will begin structural testing to confirm the performance of the propellers. They will then test the recycling method later this year.
“With this project, we are solving two challenges in the industry. On the one hand, we are moving forward with the goal of the Zero Waste Blades project to prevent and recycle waste. On the other hand, we are taking turbine blade recycling taking it to the next level. Thermoplastic blades are of great value and can be used in many other industries,” said John Korsgaard, director of LM Wind Power.
a khang (Based on New Atlas)
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