The wind energy industry is growing rapidly, so more wind turbines will be built to meet the growing demand. But in addition to the turbines being fully built, installed, and operated, the maintenance requirements of the wind turbine to keep it running also need to be taken into account.
The importance of blade repair in the wind turbine industry
Blade repair is very important in the wind turbine industry, especially if the owner wants to maximize productivity for another 10-15 years. Therefore to prolong the life of the wind turbine, the owner should have a plan to maintain the wind turbine on time.
What is blade repair of the wind turbine and who can do this job?
Many people still think that large-sized wind turbines are made of metal, and in reality, they are not so. Whether the turbine body and gearbox are made of metal or alloy, the propeller comprises a composite material, including fiberglass cloth and carbon cloth soaked in a liquid resin solution. This material has a light and durable properties with low density, providing good pressure resistance when operating continuously at high speed. This material also helps the blades have low rotational inertia, thereby better responding to constantly changing wind speeds.
On average, the wind turbine can operate for 10-15 years, needing to be completely replaced. However, the exact number depends on factors both from the external environment and the quality of manufacturing, volume of operations, and other factors. Timely inspection and repair of the blower blades is a measure to help prolong the life of the blower blades as long as possible.The blade repair is a GWO required course for employees in the wind industry, especially those working in turbine inspection and maintenance. The person performing the blade repair must be certified and have the necessary knowledge, ability, and attitude to work safely in high-risk processes.
What if the wind turbine blade repair is not maintained regularly?
When wind turbine components fail, it can lead to an unexpected wind turbine shutdown. This is entirely detrimental to the operator. Unexpected shutdowns of turbines or propellers result in higher repair costs, potentially voiding manufacturer warranties, inability to meet peak power demand, and loss of revenue. In addition, any significant component repair or replacement often entails expensive crane rentals and other equipment. Wind turbines can catch fire in extreme cases, causing more severe consequences.
The importance of blade repair in the wind turbine industry
In fact, wind farm owners should not wait until the blade fails to find a repairman. Because at this time, the blade has had specific damage and cannot continue to work well, leading to higher repair costs. At the same time, the time to stop working to repair the wind turbine blades will cause a loss of production output.Meanwhile, the cost of periodic inspection is less. More importantly, it helps users detect potential problems early in parts of wind turbines and the blades in particular. So how often should we check? If possible, users should check weekly or every 2 weeks to ensure timely detection of even the most negligible damage to the blades.
How is the blade repair done? Is the blade repair process complicated?
There are 3 basic steps in the blade repair process:
1. Surface cleaning
The first step is to clean the surface to remove dirt, insects, pollen, oil stains, mold, etc. This cleaning should be done with specialized cleaning methods and use specialized chemicals so as not to damage the molecular structure of the coating.
2. Determination of damages
Identify and analyze existing damage on the impeller surface, such as small holes, cracks, scratches, welds, corrosion, etc.
3. Doing the repair
Depending on the severity of the damage and the layers affected by the blade, we will perform the following repair measures:
- Remove layers of paint from the damaged part
- Paint and plaster the affected areas
- Contour and sand the putty to a smooth surface
- Fill the tiny holes on the surface of the blade
- Fill the voids
- Apply top coat (metal coating)
- Use sand the topcoat
- Coating the outside paint (metal coating)
Safety measures for the employee who make the blade repair:
- Use safety glasses to protect the eyes, preventing any particles from damaging the eyes.
- Use a mask to protect the respiratory tract from suspended dust
- generated during sanding.
- Use protective gloves to reduce vibration and avoid cuts and cracks.
Maintaining, upgrading, and blade repair can help prolong the blade’s life and make it more efficient for longer. Proper insulation will help increase the electrical energy generated each day. In contrast, repairs help save on replacement costs for equipment and propellers.In conclusion, routine maintenance and blade repair of the wind turbine is a form of cost savings and other benefits. Therefore, you should note and have a specific blade repair plan before any breakdown or malfunction occurs.
The last important thing, you should hire a professional blade repair team to ensure repair quality and save time and costs. At VIVABLAST, we have a team of highly-skilled, fully certified technicians with extensive experience in wind turbine blade repair and maintenance. If you need more information about this service, please contact us via the following information:
- Tel: (+ 84-28) 38 965 006/7/8
- Fax: (+ 84-28) 38 965 004
- Email: vivablast@vivablast.com
