Research partnership for wind turbine blades

The CORUS Centre, the Ion Beam Laboratory (LAFI) and LM Glasfiber have formed a research partnership to develop a surface treatment process to reduce the formation and build-up of different types of ice on the external parts of wind turbines. This new technique should also in fact reduce the impact of the ice formation on the operation of wind turbines and their output.

The project involves developing an anti-icing process to treat the surface of wind turbine blades based on ion implantation and UV irradiation and optimising the technical parameters of the process in order to make it fit for industrial use. Over the course of the project, the adhesion of ice shall be tested before and after each type of treatment in order to assess the effectiveness of the process. LM Glasfiber will fund the project and provide samples of blades and exterior paneling for the tests.

Dr. Redouane Megateli, Director of Scientific Affairs at the CORUS Centre, states that "The build-up and spread of ice on the blades cause the blades to be less aerodynamic and also cause many other problems such as increased vibrations, mechanical stresses and fatigue. Depending on the frequency of ice build-up and the severity of the icing, these phenomena can cause significant production losses".

Jesper Månsson, Research Manager LM Glasfiber said: "Adapting wind turbines to cold climate conditions such as the severe North American weather represents a considerable potential. The development of an anti-icing treatment process will in particular help extend the lifetime of installations and wind turbines and indeed help overcome the impact of ice on the operation of these installations and wind turbines."

The blade surface treatment technique will not be included in LM Glasfiber's blade manufacturing process. This technique will be used once the blades have been produced as an additional finishing operation which aims to modify the chemical properties of the surface exposed to ice by a few nanometers.

The National Institute for Scientific Research (INRS) is the academic partner on this innovative project. The LAFI, in conjunction with LM Glasfiber and the CORUS Centre, will direct and manage the project. In particular, the LAFI will be responsible for defining the parameters for the ion implantation and UV irradiation as well as choosing the tests to characterize and assess the effectiveness of the process. The CORUS Centre will coordinate the scientific aspect of the project as well as the transfer of technology in conjunction with the industry partner LM Glasfiber, in order to bring the research results to fruition in the field. The initial phases of the project will take place over the next 18 months.

Source : LM Glasfiber

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