 |
Fan blades are an important part of wind turbines and their cost accounts for more than 20% of the total turbines. In recent years, with the continuous development of wind energy worldwide, large-size or even oversized blades (longer than 70 meters in length) have become the mainstream of wind power development.
During the service process, the blades are subjected to a combination of external loads (including bending, compression, and tension), which require high mechanical properties such as stiffness, strength, and fatigue resistance. The choice of blade material also needs to consider such factors as the material's processability, density, and environmental stability. The development of new high-performance blade materials is particularly important for improving the overall performance of wind turbines.
The Polymer Composites Team of the Environmental Science and Technology Research Institute of the Xinjiang Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences analyzed the feasibility and unique advantages of carbon nanotubes/polymer nanocomposites used in fan blade materials. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are tubular one-dimensional nanomaterials with excellent mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. By adding a small amount of CNTs (generally <1.0 wt%) to the polymer matrix, the material properties can be very significantly improved.
For example, adding 0.5wt% CNTs to a typical blade epoxy can increase the thermal conductivity of the material by more than 80%. Carbon nanotubes/polymer nanocomposites also have unique multifunctional properties. For example, the introduction of nanofillers can improve the mechanical properties of composites such as modulus, strength, toughness, fatigue resistance, etc. It is almost impossible to achieve in molecular composites. By introducing carbon nanomaterials (as shown in the figure) into the components (fibers or matrix) of the fan blade material-fiber-reinforced composite (FRP), the properties of the matrix and the interfacial interaction between the fiber and the FRP matrix can be improved, thereby improving The overall performance of the fan blade offers possibilities.
In addition, the researchers analyzed the environmental stability of CNT/polymer nanocomposites, and pointed out that the use of such materials is expected to improve the performance of lightning protection, moisture resistance, and heat resistance of fan blades, and the sensing materials designed using the excellent electrical properties of CNTs. It can be used for the detection of internal structural defects of the blade, thus providing a new way to predict the blade life.
The research results are published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2014, 30: 651-660. This research work was funded by the "Light of the West" of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National "Thousand Talents Program."
Wrought Iron Doors,Iron Doors,Safety Wrought Iron Door,Steel Doors
Ming Yi iron arts company , https://www.mingyi-ironware.com