A Fuzzy Logic-Based Cost Modelling System for Recycling Carbon Fibre Reinforced Composites

Essam Shehab,Serik Tokbolat,Aidar Suleimen,Akniyet Amantayeva,Arshyn Meiirbekov,Shoaib Sarfraz,Md Hazrat Ali

doi:10.3390/polym13244370

Essam Shehab, Serik Tokbolat + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13244370

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Abstract

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) are commonly used materials in manufacturing components and products in the automotive, aerospace, and wind energy industries generating thousands of tons of waste, thus creating a threat to the environment if not recycled. Therefore, it is important for both academia and industry to investigate various ways of recycling this material. However, there is an urgent need for a reliable cost predication system to assist in making informed decisions, planning sustainable treatment, and developing pricing strategies for different waste treatment scenarios. This research paper presents the development of a fuzzy logic-based system to perform cost estimation of recycling processes of the CFRP. The developed system has taken into consideration uncertainties such as the characteristics of End of Life (EoL) material including its size and weight, its origin and diversity of existing recycling methods, and quantity of recycling waste. Cost drivers were divided into categories such as dismantling, transportation, operation, and capital cost. The system was developed by creating 243 fuzzy rules and three levels of fuzzy sets. Moreover, an interactive user-friendly interface was developed to enable the user to use the system easily and efficiently. Finally, case study results were examined to compare the whole life recycling cost of four different recycling technologies in various scenarios of waste treatment. The developed fuzzy logic-based system has the capability in evaluating the cost structure of CFRP recycling techniques and take into consideration uncertainty factors. Hence, a major contribution of the developed system is its provision of the heuristic rules that aid the decision-making process for selecting a cost-effective recycling method. The visualisation facility of the developed system is also a useful tool in enabling potential users to forecast the cost of the CFRP recycling techniques upfront.

Highlights

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) were first applied in the aerospace industry but later paved their way to other industries such as automotive, wind energy, and sports and leisure
Additional incentives for recycling CFRP waste or increasing the cost of landfilling the waste could potentially help to shift towards recycling
The aim of this study was to develop a fuzzy logic-based system to estimate the recycling cost of CFRP waste taking into consideration all relevant uncertainties and inaccuracies

Summary

Introduction

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) were first applied in the aerospace industry but later paved their way to other industries such as automotive, wind energy, and sports and leisure. The wide range of applications of these materials became possible due to their mechanical and chemical properties such as strength, elasticity, and lightweight. The global demand for carbon fibres (CF) is predicted to reach almost 200,000 tons in. Materials used for aircraft components and wind turbine blades have about. 25–50 years of useful life and need to be disposed of. The current disposing methods are predominantly landfilling and incineration [2]. Considering the increasing trend of composite materials and products manufacturing, rising environmental awareness, and legislative requirements, sustainable disposal methods require urgent attention

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