The problem has never been to find something to do with the carcass ... it's to find something to do with the carcass that doesn't cost more than it's worth. That's always been the problem with recycling ... finished products suck as raw ore.
As someone who has built the blades and been inside them while on a turbine, I've always thought they should be used for infrastructure or construction. You could build some sick skatepark features with a wind turbine blade
It's high time that we require manufacturers to have a recycling/reuse plan for everything they manufacture. It should not be an after-thought, especially with items this massive.
Interesting fact about plastics, and probably fiber glass, because they are both petroleum based, every time it is heated for production of a product the molecular structure breaks down losing strength and durability, that is why they have to add in virgin material. Sometimes as much as 70% .only items that are of no structural consequence can use 100% recycled materials 🤔
I believe they did that for cost, aluminum lasts longer than 20 years and it is 100% recyclable, we have things (planes ships ), etc. that are 80 years old and still operational.
Trying to recycle something like that will never be a net positive. It may not be 'simple math' but it's not that difficult to calculate the ROI. Engineering schools used to have business as pre-req classes.
These blades do not last 20 years because the tips are traveling at close to 200 mph. Every dust grain, pellet of ice and even rain drops take a toll. The speed is deceiving that is why they kill so many birds.
I visited the Munich Science Museum this year. The hall of Power and Engines has an interesting exhibit, sections of a very-large wind turbine blade, sawed into sections, spaced and suspended from the ceiling. You get to see the interiors of the various sections and get a sense of how long the blades are and how intricately they are made. Impressive.
This is a lot of s***we've got a 20-year high ice pack at the Arctic up there right now it's never been so much ice on the Arctic circle in 20 years if Maine's weather is changing that it's only getting colder
reusing the material for lower strength requirement applications is a great idea. i would take the round part and make rain water tank for my orchard 🙂
What about the root sections of the blades? Are they large enough to create mini shelters for the homeless? Two roots bonded together and capped at each end could possibly creat a livable shelter.
if the ground up plastics and fibers can be used in 3D pprinters then they might be able to be used in some kind of plastic welding as well. sections could be cut out of old blades and reused as stock to make other things. my DIY frankenstein kayak was made from alot of plastic welding and scraps and has held up for years. one just has to learn some plastiic welding. with the right scraps and stock and creativity there is much you can do.
Our regular garbage recycling is a scam
The problem has never been to find something to do with the carcass ... it's to find something to do with the carcass that doesn't cost more than it's worth. That's always been the problem with recycling ... finished products suck as raw ore.
As someone who has built the blades and been inside them while on a turbine, I've always thought they should be used for infrastructure or construction. You could build some sick skatepark features with a wind turbine blade
It's high time that we require manufacturers to have a recycling/reuse plan for everything they manufacture. It should not be an after-thought, especially with items this massive.
Interesting fact about plastics, and probably fiber glass, because they are both petroleum based, every time it is heated for production of a product the molecular structure breaks down losing strength and durability, that is why they have to add in virgin material. Sometimes as much as 70% .only items that are of no structural consequence can use 100% recycled materials 🤔
How much
a mix of fiber and thermoplastic. "Oil"
Make note! They did not revieal the "cost"!!
I believe they did that for cost, aluminum lasts longer than 20 years and it is 100% recyclable, we have things (planes ships ), etc. that are 80 years old and still operational.
I find it amazing how all these environmentalist don't realize the wind blades are made out of fiberglass in turn is a petroleum base.
Trying to recycle something like that will never be a net positive. It may not be 'simple math' but it's not that difficult to calculate the ROI. Engineering schools used to have business as pre-req classes.
These blades do not last 20 years because the tips are traveling at close to 200 mph. Every dust grain, pellet of ice and even rain drops take a toll. The speed is deceiving that is why they kill so many birds.
I visited the Munich Science Museum this year. The hall of Power and Engines has an interesting exhibit, sections of a very-large wind turbine blade, sawed into sections, spaced and suspended from the ceiling. You get to see the interiors of the various sections and get a sense of how long the blades are and how intricately they are made. Impressive.
This is a lot of s***we've got a 20-year high ice pack at the Arctic up there right now it's never been so much ice on the Arctic circle in 20 years if Maine's weather is changing that it's only getting colder
reusing the material for lower strength requirement applications is a great idea. i would take the round part and make rain water tank for my orchard 🙂
Sounds great. Just wondering what energy it takes to break the blades down to usable materials.
The biggest waste is building them at all.
What about the root sections of the blades? Are they large enough to create mini shelters for the homeless? Two roots bonded together and capped at each end could possibly creat a livable shelter.
There was also a story about using turbine blades as "racks" for solar panels.
if the ground up plastics and fibers can be used in 3D pprinters then they might be able to be used in some kind of plastic welding as well. sections could be cut out of old blades and reused as stock to make other things. my DIY frankenstein kayak was made from alot of plastic welding and scraps and has held up for years. one just has to learn some plastiic welding. with the right scraps and stock and creativity there is much you can do.