Ecomoulding of Composite Wind Turbine Blades Using Green Manufacturing RTM Process

Abstract

According to ecodesign considerations and green manufacturing requirements, the choice of moulding process for the production of composite wind turbine blades must provide the existence of a common area of intersection engendered by a simultaneous interaction between quality, health, and environment aspects (i.e. Q, H, and E for abbreviations, resp.). This common area can be maximized via ecoalternatives in order to minimize negative adverse environmental and/or human health impacts. With this objective in mind, the closed-mould manufacturing RTM (resin transfer moulding) process will be the subject matter of this investigation. The reason for this choice is that RTM process participates in the reduction of VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions such as styrene vapours and presents an industrial solution to wind turbine blades production coupled with high quality finishing, good mechanical properties, lower cost, and a total absence of bonding operation of half shells. In addition to these advantages, sustainable development issues and ecodesign requirements are still, however, the main objectives to be fulfilled in this analysis with an acceptable degree of tolerance to the new regulations and ecostandards leading the way for green design of composite wind turbine blades.