Composite Materials for Wind Turbine Blades - Term Paper Example

As described in Wikipedia, there are two main kinds of wind turbines one is a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine and the second is a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (1). However, Horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) are the most widely used design for commercial purposes. Earlier standard parts and components were used for the manufacturing of turbines; however, with advancements in technology, specialized materials, and parts started to be designed for turbines introducing alternate solutions for manufacturing (Eker, Akdogan, and Vardar 2917). This not only rearranges structural and physical properties like rigidity, toughness, and corrosion but also unlocks new dimensions to the electrical, thermal, and environmental properties of materials forming a composite. Modern research aims to reduce the cost, improve performance, and impact resistance of the composite materials for their better application in a wide range of fields.

These discussed significant features of composite materials have made these future materials for wind turbines (Eker, Akdogan, and Vardar 2917). In general, metallic, organic, and inorganic materials called matrix, fibers, particulates, stamps, and layers having limited geometry constitute composite materials. The binding medium, matrix, creates a phase impact by producing the distribution of other material structures in its structure. This brings changes to the overall physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of the composite materials.

These materials fibers, matrix, and reinforcements are chemically inert and dissolved among each other. It is pertinent to note that in metallic composites even a small amount of dissolution may affect the overall properties of the material (Eker, Akdogan, and Vardar 2918). The purpose of using composite material in turbine blades is to exploit one or more of the physical, mechanical, and other properties of the materials forming the composite. To achieve this, several methods are used but the principle is the same as improving the weak properties of the materials in composite to achieve a good performance turbine blade.

WIND ENERGY A converter is the main component that is required to convert the kinetic energy of the motor due to blade rotation into electrical or heat energy, thus producing a power given by the following equation P = ?? Av3 where? = Aerodynamic efficiency constant? = Density of air A = Area of turbine-plane v = Wind velocity The two or more blades are installed on the central part (disc) of the turbine called the rotor to form a wind turbine which is rotated by the action of wind on the turbine blades (Brondsted, Lilholt, and Lystrup 506).

Wind turbines usually consist of two to three large blades made of wood, plexiglass, or composite material. The basic design principle encompassing the wind turbines is that of an aero engine turbine or airplane wing where the lift is used to make use of energy. Complete turbine assembly consisting of two or more blades is installed in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis into the wind. Similarly, wind energy is captured using the same basic design principle.