leading edge erosion: protection, costs, and benefits
TRANSCRIPT
Leading Edge Erosion: Protection, Costs and
Benefits
Before We Start q This webinar will be available at
www.windpowerengineering.com & email
q Q&A at the end of the presentation
q Hashtag for this webinar: #WindWebinar
Moderator Presenter
Michelle Froese Windpower Engineering
& Development
Steven Elrod BS Rotor
BS ROTOR TECHNIC USA, LLC
Presenter: Steve Elrod, General Manager
Why Surface Matters Blade length has increased overtime and has placed more demand on designs incorporating thinner and lighter materials.
Why Surface Matters • Challenging environments (e.g. Offshore & Deserts)
Cause of Erosion Wear • Higher tip speeds – because
of increase length • Location of turbine
o Operation in extreme/hostile environments (Deserts, Mountains, & Seas)
o Locations that have an abundance of sand, dust, bugs, rain, sleet, snow
Start of Erosion Cycle • Loss of OEM Coating • Minor Pitting Effects • Damage Base Layer • Severe Delamination • Crack propagation
Leading Edge Erosion (Minor)
Leading Edge Erosion
Leading Edge Erosion (Major)
Leading Edge Erosion
Effect of LE Erosion on WTG Output (1.5 MW)
• Moderate pitting o Increased Drag, Lower Lift – Loss
$8,000 per year
• Pitts & Gauging o Increased Drag, Lower Lift – Loss
$16,000 per year
• Severe Pitting & De-lam o Increased Drag, Lower Lift – Loss
$32,000 per year
Source: 3M Wind Power Blade O&M Forum
Effect of LE Erosion on WTG Output (5 MW)
• Moderate pitting o Increased Drag, Lower Lift
– Loss $120,000 per year
• Pitts & Gauging o Increased Drag, Lower Lift
– Loss $360,000 per year
• Severe Pitting & De-lam o Increased Drag, Lower Lift
– Loss $720,000 per year
Source: 3M Wind Power Blade O&M Forum
Proactive Leading Edge Protection
• Feature: Smooth Surface on leading edge
• Benefit: o Higher lifts o Improves Efficiency by 1 to 4%
Source: Infigen Wind Power Blade O & M Forum
Effect on LE Protection on WTG Output on a typical 1.5 WT
• Payback in less than 6 months
• Increased revenue of $50K to $250,000 (over 5 years)
Source: LM Wind Power UWIG Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance User Group Meeting
Effect on LE Protection on WTG Output on a typical 5MW offshore WTG
• Payback in less than 8 months
• Increased revenue of $500K to $2,500,000 (over 5 years)
Source: LM Wind Power UWIG Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance User Group Meeting
Possible LEP Protection
• 1. Flexible Poly Urethane Tape 14 Mil Thick • 2. Poly Urethane Coatings (2 Component Mix) 10-14 Mil
Thick Layer. Applied by Rollers or Brush • 3. Wear Resistant Coatings 15-20 Mil thick applied by
Rollers or Spay Gun.
Benefits of Various LEP Materials
• 1. Poly Urethane Tape: 3M - New in the Market • 2. Poly Urethane Coatings: Duromar, Mankiewicz, Bergolin • 3. Wear Resistant Coatings
Conclusion – Pictures after 3 years of Service
Conclusion • Erosion is going to occur on all
blades • Effects of Erosion can be
controlled or limited • LEP works and pays for itself
Questions?
Michelle Froese Windpower Engineering & Development [email protected]
Steven Elrod BS Rotor [email protected]
Thank You q This webinar will be available at
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