Pyrolysis kinetic and product characteristics of typical organic components of decommissioned wind turbine blades

ZHANG Qiansheng; ZHANG Yutong; CHEN Pei; ZHANG Zhaotianyi; ZHOU Ao; CHEN Yongqiang; HU Zhongfa; DENG Shuanghui; WANG Xuebin

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202511015

Volume 43 Issue 11

Nov. 2025

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Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2025 > 43(11): 133-141

ZHANG Qiansheng, ZHANG Yutong, CHEN Pei, ZHANG Zhaotianyi, ZHOU Ao, CHEN Yongqiang, HU Zhongfa, DENG Shuanghui, WANG Xuebin. Pyrolysis kinetic and product characteristics of typical organic components of decommissioned wind turbine blades[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(11): 133-141. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202511015

Citation:

ZHANG Qiansheng, ZHANG Yutong, CHEN Pei, ZHANG Zhaotianyi, ZHOU Ao, CHEN Yongqiang, HU Zhongfa, DENG Shuanghui, WANG Xuebin. Pyrolysis kinetic and product characteristics of typical organic components of decommissioned wind turbine blades[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(11): 133-141. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202511015

Citation:

ZHANG Qiansheng, ZHANG Yutong, CHEN Pei, ZHANG Zhaotianyi, ZHOU Ao, CHEN Yongqiang, HU Zhongfa, DENG Shuanghui, WANG Xuebin. Pyrolysis kinetic and product characteristics of typical organic components of decommissioned wind turbine blades[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(11): 133-141. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202511015

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Pyrolysis kinetic and product characteristics of typical organic components of decommissioned wind turbine blades

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202511015

1. CGN Environmental Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518031, China;
2. Key Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science and Engineering, MOE, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China;
3. School of Energy, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China

Received Date: 2024-12-17
Accepted Date: 2025-02-01
Rev Recd Date: 2025-01-21

Available Online: 2026-01-09

Abstract

Abstract

In this study， the pyrolysis kinetic properties and product characteristics of typical organic components in decommissioned wind turbine blades were thoroughly investigated. The three main organic components in the blades： glass fiber reinforced resin （GFRP）， foam material （FM）， and adhesive material （AM） were systematically analyzed by using thermogravimetric analysis-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-mass spectrometry （TG-FTIR-MS）. It was found that the pyrolysis process of GFRP was mainly characterized by devolatilization， with its maximum weight loss occurring at about 350 ℃ and a low residual carbon content after pyrolysis. The maximum weight loss in the pyrolysis process of adhesive material occurred at about 375 ℃ and 350 ℃， respectively. The pyrolytic weight loss of the foam material showed two stages with peaks at 265 ℃ and 460 ℃， respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） analysis showed that the main products generated during pyrolysis included carbon dioxide （CO₂）， water （H₂O）， and methane （CH₄）， and that an increase in temperature increase rate helped to accelerate the decomposition of the samples. Mass spectrometry （MS） analysis further revealed gases containing nitrogen， sulfur， and chlorine， as well as other organic compounds released during the pyrolysis process. During the pyrolysis process， extra attention needs to be paid to the removal of N and Cl from the pyrolysis gas-liquid phase products. This study provides valuable basic data for the thermochemical characterization of wind turbine blades and provides a theoretical basis for their effective recycling. By gaining a deeper understanding of the behaviors and product properties of these organic components during pyrolysis， targeted recycling technologies can be better developed for the sustainable use of wind turbine blades.
- wind turbine blades,
- pyrolysis kinetics,
- TG-FTIR-MS,
- glass fiber reinforced resin,
- foam material,
- adhesive material

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References(26)

References

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