© Russell Gold
ANALYSIS
SPECIAL ON PROTECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE ENERGY INDUSTRY
Polymeric Repair: An Attractive and Convenient Solution for Damaged Wind Turbine Shafts Arthur Mendonça Belzona Inc. – Miami, USA
amendonca@belzona.com
Abstract
by upsetting the operation of mechanical components such as the yaw
Shafts and other components inside the nacelles of wind turbines could
mechanism. Replacing and welding, albeit common repair solutions, are in
be exposed to a highly corrosive environment due to ingress of moisture
most cases not feasible. An alternative and innovative polymeric solution
or mist combined, with airborne salts, not to mention various forms of
can be used to repair damaged shafts by means of a cold applied 100%
mechanical actions that can cause wear damage (ref. Opening photo).
epoxy material. This paper will focus on the polymeric solution and a case
This wear-corrosion mechanism can be exacerbated if the turbines are in
study where corrosion and excessive wear compromised the operation of
the vicinity of coastal zones where the winds can carry high concentration
the wind turbine. The client sought a solution that could be applied in situ
of electrolytes. As a result, the overall performance of the wind turbine
using an epoxy material as a repair compound injected into a split former
can be drastically affected, either by reducing energy production loss or
engineered specifically for this application.
24
N.31 - 2019 OCTOBER - ipcm® Protective Coatings