Page 53 - Plastics News June 2024

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

weight, and durable, but their strength handling massive quantities of Vestas’ Circularity Solution
and durability make them difficult to wind turbine blades (WTBs). De-
Vestas introduced an innovative so-
lution to eliminate landfill disposal of
epoxy-based turbine blades. By lever-
aging new chemical technology, Vestas
can make these blades circular without
redesigning them. This process, devel-
oped with Aarhus University and the
Danish Technological Institute, breaks
down epoxy resin into reusable materi-
als. Once scaled, this technology will
enable the reuse of legacy blade mate-
rial, fostering a circular economy in the
wind industry.
Maximizing Wind Turbine Blade Life-
cycle through Reuse and Repurpos-

Generic cross-section of rotor blade. Courtesy of Accelerating Wind Turbine
Blade Circularity – 2020

recycle. The primary challenge lies in spite challenges and uncertain-
separating these elements into homo- ties, it shows potential for indus-
geneous input streams for new uses. trial-scale recycling.

Some recycling processes do not at- • Mechanical Recycling: Widely Vestas introduces a circularity solution
tempt to separate composite materi- used and energy-efficient, me- to eliminate landfill disposal for turbine
als, while others may struggle to re- chanical recycling involves shred- blades. Courtesy of Vestas.
produce the structural characteristics ding and reprocessing WTBs. This
of virgin materials. Blades typically method is particularly viable for ing
use thermoset resins that form strong smaller blades.
cross-linked polymers during curing, • Fluidized Bed Recycling: This pro- Reusing and repurposing wind turbine
making it difficult to break them down cess demonstrates lower primary blades is crucial for extending their
to recover raw materials for new com- energy demand, reduced global lifecycle and minimizing waste. It is
posite products. essential to utilize and maintain blades
warming potential, and lower for as long as possible, with regular
Exploring Wind Turbine Blade Recy- power consumption, making it an servicing and repairs necessary to
cling Techniques environmentally friendly choice.
achieve their intended lifespan. For
The growing demand for sustainable • Cement co-processing involves lifetime extension, a thorough assess-
energy solutions increases the need using shredded blades as an alter- ment involving fatigue load analysis
for effective recycling methods for native fuel and raw material in ce- using SCADA data, site inspections,
WTBs. Experts have proposed vari- ment kilns. This process reduces and maintenance reviews is neces-
ous wind-blade recycling techniques, CO2 emissions from cement pro- sary, potentially leading to repairs and
including mechanical, thermal, and duction and incorporates blade reinforcements. Standards for lifetime
chemical processes: materials into the cement matrix. extension have been developed by
• Microwave Pyrolysis: Microwave Successful Case Studies in Sustaina- DNV-GL (DNVGL-ST-0262) and are
pyrolysis emerges as the most ble Waste Management and Disposal being developed by the IEC (IEC TS
promising technique, capable of 61400-28).

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PLASTICS NEWSASTICS NEWS
June 2024