China finds an ingenious solution for its broken wind turbines

Many wind turbines in China are approaching retirement, and researchers have found a creative way to reuse giant components.

In a study published earlier this summer in the journal International Soil and Water Conservation Research, scientists suggest reusing poor wind turbines in sand control measures. Namely in sand barriers. The approach could be the solution to two problems: to face old blades and find optimal sand control measures.

“High resistance and durability wind turbines can be directly cut and drilled in sand barriers,” wrote researchers in the newspaper. “This approach not only addresses the recycling challenges of the blades of decarment wind turbines, but also reduces the shortage of wind and sand stabilization materials in the desert and the gobi areas.”

Two birds with a stone

In arid and semi-arid regions, the wind can wreak havoc on human and natural landscapes, and sand control measures such as sand barriers aim to reduce the resulting economic losses and protect habitats. While sand barriers such as those made of reeds and branches are inexpensive, easy to build and respectful of the environment, they are short -lived and do not hold well in extreme environments.

More effective artificial sand control materials do not offer perfect solutions, as they are also faced with challenges in extremely winding areas along the railways. As such, people sometimes turn to stronger barriers made of materials such as cement, metal and rocky sand. In the end, the materials must be strong, durable, wind resistant, thermally stable, available, at a reasonable price and with optimal porosity.

As for the wind industry, the question of what to do with the old blades of wind turbines faces high costs and complex traditional recycling processes, in addition to the risk of pollution in the event of poor management.

As such, researchers have studied the effectiveness of sand barriers made from blades of incarcerated or damaged wind turbines. “First of all, we tested the mechanical properties of this material, in particular resistance to ultraviolet aging (UV), thermal stability, resistance to flexion and resistance to erosion,” explained the researchers in the article. “Secondly, thanks to blower experiences and digital simulations, we have analyzed the effects of stabilization of the refuge and sand of new sand barriers with different porosities compared to net bright nylon sand barriers.”

Actual application

The approach revealed that the erosion rate of the new barrier can be 56% lower than that of composite wood materials, and its resistance to flexion was 14 times higher. The researchers also found that a 20% porosity was the best for reducing sediment transport.

“Consequently, the new porous sand barriers made from impaired or damaged wind turbines have excellent resistance to UV and erosion, high resistance and thermal stability, recyclability and long service life,” concluded researchers. “It combines the porous structure of flexible sand barriers with the strength of rigid sand barriers, which makes it well suited to regions with high winds, large temperature variations and intense UV radiation, which has a significant potential for application in sand control practices.”

The study is the ultimate recall of a secular saying – a person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Or, in this case, the trash of one industry is the solution of another.