Manufacture and testing of biomass-derivable thermosets for wind blade recycling
Ryan W. Clarke, Erik G. Rognerud, Allen Puente‐Urbina, David Barnes, Paul Murdy, Michael L. McGraw, Jimmy M. Newkirk, Ryan Beach, Jacob A. Wrubel, Levi J. Hamernik, Katherine A. Chism, Andrea L. Baer, Gregg T. Beckham, Robynne E. Murray, Nicholas A. Rorrer
Abstract
Wind energy is helping to decarbonize the electrical grid, but wind blades are not recyclable, and current end-of-life management strategies are not sustainable. To address the material recyclability challenges in sustainable energy infrastructure, we introduce scalable biomass-derivable polyester covalent adaptable networks and corresponding fiber-reinforced composites for recyclable wind blade fabrication. Through experimental and computational studies, including vacuum-assisted resin-transfer molding of a 9-meter wind blade prototype, we demonstrate drop-in technological readiness of this material with existing manufacture techniques, superior properties relative to incumbent materials, and practical end-of-life chemical recyclability. Most notable is the counterintuitive creep suppression, outperforming industry state-of-the-art thermosets despite the dynamic cross-link topology. Overall, this report details the many facets of wind blade manufacture, encompassing chemistry, engineering, safety, mechanical analyses, weathering, and chemical recyclability, enabling a realistic path toward biomass-derivable, recyclable wind blades.