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Wind turbine demolition: how to do it
The life cycle of wind turbines is often a hotly debated topic, especially their demolition and disposal. In fact, many national and foreign newspapers such as Il Manifesto , Idee Green , Euronews have covered the topic
Wind turbines: how they are made
Wind turbines are made up of a trunk that can reach over 150 meters in height and three blades whose length varies depending on numerous variables. While the central trunk has an almost eternal life, the blades lose their mechanical properties after a long use. The demolition of the blades is really a difficult job because the material they are made of is hard but at the same time very flexible. This material is fiberglass with thicknesses that can vary from 20 to 2 cm. Some blades also have layers of carbon inside them.
Demolition of fiberglass wind turbine blades
The specificities of glass fiber are known to everyone. It is precisely its flexibility that makes the work of demolishing wind turbine blades very long and laborious. For cost reasons, the blades cannot be transported in their entirety and therefore it is essential to section them. This work facilitates transportation and consequently disposal in the cement plant.
Many demolition and disposal companies have tried to section wind turbine blades with traditional tools such as pliers and hammers supplied with normal excavators. However, the specific characteristics of fiberglass guarantee truly incredible flexibility. The hammer and demolition pliers have the strength to modify the structure but not to break it.
You will understand that with these equipments you get an opposite effect. The impact force shatters only superficial layers that are carried away by the wind and dispersed in the environment.
Case History: Demolition of wind turbine blades with diamond discs
Nord Srl has finally developed a formulation of diamond discs from Ø800 to Ø1600mm suitable for prolonged cutting of fiberglass. The diamond discs for fiberglass allow the company to carry out the demolition work of wind turbine blades by cutting and sectioning the material itself.
With the cutting of our diamond blade the work is cleaner and less polluting as the water reduces the dust avoiding its dispersion in the environment. Obviously the company must be equipped with tanks for collecting the cutting water. For the company the work also becomes much more precise as the sectioning of the blade can be very precise for handling and transport.
Resin glass cutting with Echidna machine
What equipment is used for cutting wind turbine blades? Diamond blades can be used with easily recoverable equipment. However, when it comes to blades longer than 50m with diameters of over 2m in height, special equipment is needed.
The Australian echidna machines are hydraulic equipment that can be used with any type of excavator. These machines allow the use of large diamond discs of our production (over 2m). To date, the combo between echidna and La Nord Srl diamond discs allows the demolition of wind turbines in short times and with maximum precision.
Want to know more? Contact us at sales@lanordsrl.it
