Recycled Composite Particle Processing for Wind Turbine Blade Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recycling fiberglass and fiber-reinforced materials, particularly wind turbine blades, face challenges due to the lack of an effective collection system, insufficient raw material supply, and environmental concerns, resulting in limited recycling efficiency and increased waste disposal issues.
Innovation Solution
A method for recycling wind turbine blades involves tracking and processing the materials to create composite particle/fiberboards with improved mechanical and physical properties, using recycled materials to produce products that emit no VOCs or hazardous air pollutants, and implementing a tracking system for efficient material collection and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fiberglass and fiber-reinforced materials are recycled into new products, then environmental concerns are addressed and manufacturing costs are reduced, but the materials have long been difficult to recycle into new and useful products due to lack of effective collection systems and insufficient raw material supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the recycled fiberglass by treating it with silane coupling agents and other chemical modifiers to improve its bonding properties and compatibility with new resin matrices, transforming it from unusable waste into valuable raw material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates new composite materials by combining recycled fiberglass with virgin resins and additives, producing hybrid composite products that leverage the strengths of both recycled and virgin materials while overcoming the limitations of recycled fiberglass alone
2Ease of manufacture
If wind turbine blades are recycled to replace virgin resins, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but only ten to twenty-five percent of virgin resins can be replaced due to insufficient reclaimed fiberglass supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal recycling system that can process multiple types of fiberglass-containing materials (wind turbine blades, consumer products, industrial components) through a standardized collection and processing framework, expanding the total supply of reclaimed fiberglass
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary collection, sorting, and pre-processing of fiberglass materials before they enter the main recycling process, ensuring a steady and sufficient supply of raw materials for continuous production
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fiberglass products are produced with high recycled content, then environmental performance is improved, but the materials must meet consistent quality standards for mechanical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements quality feedback mechanisms where the properties of recycled fiberglass are continuously monitored and measured, and this information is used to adjust processing parameters and blend ratios to maintain consistent product quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different treatment and processing conditions to different batches or portions of recycled fiberglass based on their specific properties, allowing each portion to be optimized for its intended application while maintaining overall product consistency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method enables the production of high-quality composite products with enhanced mechanical and physical properties, such as increased modulus of elasticity and reduced thickness swelling, while addressing environmental concerns and improving recycling efficiency by utilizing a tracking system for consistent material supply.
Implementation Method 1
The isocyanate resin is sprayed onto the composite material and allowed to crosslink and cure, forming a cured composite product
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of producing particles of fiber and resin from fiber-resin composite materials are disclosed. The particles may be combined with a resin system and optionally combined with fillers, binders or reinforcements to produce new cured solid composite products.