Title: Cement Kiln Co-Processing for Managing End of Life Glass Fiber-Thermoset Composites: A Case Study Using Wind Turbine Blades

Authors: Mitchell L. Rencheck and Benjamin Gallagher

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.24.0099

Abstract: Cement kiln co-processing is an end-of-life (EoL) pathway for wind turbine blades (WTBs) that enables possibilities for recovering the embodied energy and mineral content in WTBs while avoiding landfilling. Cement kiln co-processing has the potential to be leveraged by the broader composites industry where EoL glass fiber (GF) – thermoset composites exist. In this paper, we investigate the potential of cement kiln co-processing as an EoL pathway for all GF – thermoset composites through an assessment of the technology utilizing WTBs. WTB decommissioning and processing are identified to determine critical operations to ensure compatibility with alternative solid fuel requirements (ASFs) for cement kilns. An analysis of how cement kiln co-processing of WTBs may support the development of a circular economy is conducted. To assess the potential benefits, physical and chemical characterization of three WTB samples were performed to determine adherence to ASF requirements and identify the limitations and benefits of utilizing WTBs as a fuel for cement kilns. The results identified benefits of displacing traditional fuels and consumption of raw materials with WTBs and also showed an increase in boron content in the cement composition. The WTBs analyzed were compatible as an ASF for cement kilns and shows a potential EoL pathway for other GF-thermoset composites upon similar analyses.

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Conference: SAMPE 2024

Publication Date: 2024/05/20

SKU: TP24-0000000099

Pages: 12

Price: $24.00