RECYCLING OF END-OF-LIFE WIND TURBINE BLADES INTO THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER COMPOSITES: CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Topic(s) : Life cycle performance
Co-authors :
Shashank TUMKUR KARNICK (NETHERLANDS), Nataliya LUSHNIKOVA (NETHERLANDS), Dr. Florent GAUVIN , Prof. Dr. Ir. H.J.H. Jos BROUWERSAbstract :
The surge in wind energy production concurrently gives rise to a pressing concern: the substantial increase in end-of-life (EOL) wind turbine blades. Most of the wind turbine elements can be recycled except the blades since composite materials within these blades consists of various components and separation of them for subsequent recycling is complicated. The existing dilemma lies in the insufficient knowledge and technological infrastructure for recycling these composite wastes, compelling prevalent practices, such as incineration or landfill disposal.
The main goal of current research is to perform raw material characterization of mechanically shredded (MS) wastes of wind turbine blade (WWTB) based glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) and study the mechanical properties of the secondary polymer composites made from these wastes to provide sustainable solutions for the construction industry. These composites are produced by incorporating different dosages and sizes of recycled glass fiber derived from wind turbine waste into a polypropylene matrix. This involved a comprehensive analysis the chemical composition, and thermal behaviour of the materials in order to establish a strong foundation for future recycling efforts.
In this regard, FTIR, XRF, TGA and SEM were conducted. The results show that the organic compounds such as unsaturated polyester and epoxy resins decompose between 300 – 430 °C. Notably, it was observed that the weight percentage of glass fiber in WTB waste increases as the size of the particles decreases. Furthermore, mechanical tests were performed on the specimens with varying weight percentage of glass fibers and polypropylene matrix. The results showed the influence of glass fibers on the tensile strength, elongation, tensile modulus of secondary polymer composites.
This research ventures lays the foundation for future applications. In particular, we anticipate the use of these recycled materials in 3D printing of secondary polymer composites for construction purposes, which holds the potential to revolutionize construction methodologies and create environmentally responsible structures.
The main goal of current research is to perform raw material characterization of mechanically shredded (MS) wastes of wind turbine blade (WWTB) based glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) and study the mechanical properties of the secondary polymer composites made from these wastes to provide sustainable solutions for the construction industry. These composites are produced by incorporating different dosages and sizes of recycled glass fiber derived from wind turbine waste into a polypropylene matrix. This involved a comprehensive analysis the chemical composition, and thermal behaviour of the materials in order to establish a strong foundation for future recycling efforts.
In this regard, FTIR, XRF, TGA and SEM were conducted. The results show that the organic compounds such as unsaturated polyester and epoxy resins decompose between 300 – 430 °C. Notably, it was observed that the weight percentage of glass fiber in WTB waste increases as the size of the particles decreases. Furthermore, mechanical tests were performed on the specimens with varying weight percentage of glass fibers and polypropylene matrix. The results showed the influence of glass fibers on the tensile strength, elongation, tensile modulus of secondary polymer composites.
This research ventures lays the foundation for future applications. In particular, we anticipate the use of these recycled materials in 3D printing of secondary polymer composites for construction purposes, which holds the potential to revolutionize construction methodologies and create environmentally responsible structures.