Meet the wind turbine blade recyclers

Wind turbine blades have a limited lifespan, and as they reach the end of their usefulness, the question arises: what should be done with them? A team of researchers at Washington State University has been working on a new method to recycle these massive blades in an environmentally friendly way. Their innovative approach involves breaking down the materials of the blades to create stronger plastics, offering a sustainable solution to the challenge of wind turbine blade disposal.

According to a report from WSU, the new recycling method developed by the research team does not rely on harsh chemicals. Instead, it focuses on recovering high-strength glass fibers and resins from the blades, which are then repurposed to make durable plastics. This process not only helps in reducing waste but also provides a practical way to reuse the materials from wind turbine blades.

The researchers started by cutting the glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) material used in the blades into small blocks. These blocks were then treated in a solution of low-toxicity organic salt in pressurized, superheated water for a couple of hours. This treatment effectively broke down the material, allowing the components to be used in the creation of stronger plastics, demonstrating the potential for a circular economy approach to wind turbine blade recycling.

Cheng Hao, a former graduate student at the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and co-first author of the research paper, expressed satisfaction with the results of the new recycling method. He highlighted the use of a green solvent and the mild conditions applied during the process, making it an environmentally friendly and efficient way to deal with the challenging task of recycling GFRP materials.

Wind turbine blades have posed a significant recycling challenge due to the nature of the materials used in their construction. Unlike thermoplastics that can be melted and reused, the glass fiber composites in wind turbine blades are typically thermosets, making them difficult to recycle. With the first generation of modern wind turbines now reaching the end of their lifetimes, finding sustainable disposal solutions for these blades has become increasingly important. The innovative recycling method developed by the WSU researchers offers a promising way to address this issue and create value from materials that would otherwise end up as waste.