Biomass resin sustainable recycling methods

Viable Method for Bio-Derived Wind Blades

Overview of Research

Scientists at U.S. DOE's NREL envision a viable method for producing bio-derived wind blades that are chemically recyclable, allowing for the reuse of their components and eliminating the disposal of old blades in landfills.

Performance of New Bio-Based Resin

The research published in Science, demonstrates that the new bio-based resin performs as well as the industry-standard thermoset resin and exceeds the performance of some recyclable thermoplastic resins.

Development and Validation

Researchers developed a 9-meter prototype blade to validate the manufacturability of PECAN, a biomass-derived resin created by NREL, PECAN, short for PolyEster Covalently Adaptable Network, aligns with existing production methods.

Advancements in Recycling Technology

Current Recycling Practices

Current technology allows wind blades to last around 20 years, after which they can be mechanically recycled, often shredded for concrete filler. PECAN represents a significant advancement, enabling blade recycling through mild chemical processes.

Chemical Recycling Process

Ryan Clarke, a postdoctoral researcher at NREL and lead author of the study, states that the chemical recycling process allows the blade components to be recaptured and continually reused, making the remanufacture of the same product possible, "Executed properly, this offers an endless solution."

He explained that the prototype blade was thoroughly broken down by the chemical process in six hours.

Research Paper and Collaboration

In the paper "Manufacture and Testing of Biomass-Derivable Thermosets for Wind Blade Recycling," researchers form five NREL hubs, including the National Wind Technology Center and the BOTTLE Consortium, outlined an end-of-life strategy for PECAN blades and proposed methods for the recovery and reuse of their components.

Circular Economy and Advancements

According to Johney Green, Associate Laboratory Director for Mechanical and Thermal Engineering Sciences at NREL, the approach to developing recyclable wind turbine blades represents a pivotal move towards advancing a circular economy for energy resources.

Challenges to Standard Beliefs

Bio-Derived Resin Performance

The PECAN resin research was initiated with the aim of producing a recyclable wind blade. Scientists tested different feedstocks, leading to the creation of a bio-derived sugar resin that challenges the standard belief that recyclable blades perform poorly.

According to Nic Rorrer, a corresponding author of the Science paper, the fact that a material is bio-derived or recyclable does not automatically mean it will perform poorly. He pointed out that one issue often raised is the increased risk of "creep," where the blade could gradually deform and lose its shape.

"This fundamentally challenges the prevailing belief in polymer science that recyclable materials cannot be used due to concerns about under performance or excessive creep."

Prototype and Manufacturing Process

Composites created from PECAN resin maintained their shape, endured accelerated weatherization tests, and could be produced within a time frame comparable to the current curing cycle used for manufacturing turbine blades.

Validation of Process

While wind blades can span the length of a football field, the prototype's dimensions served as clear evidence of the process's effectiveness.

Robynne Murray, one of the corresponding authors, explained that the nine-meter prototype effectively demonstrated all manufacturing processes relevant to larger blade sizes of 60, 80, and 100 meters.

Source

Amazon's Creator University