Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

[deleted] t1_j7uvq6v wrote

Reply to comment by jingleghost in All wind turbine blades recyclable with new chemical process discovery - allows for epoxy-based blades to be broken down into raw material that can be reused to make new wind turbine blades or to be used for other purposes. by ForHidingSquirrels

[deleted]

−6

[deleted] t1_j7vgv4s wrote

I understand sensitivity to climate denier tactics, but these are all very valid questions.

9

seamus_mc t1_j7wj1ab wrote

Also how nasty is this chemical process that dissolves something like epoxy? And what does this process cost? It could be a game changer for a lot of industries if it is inexpensive and safe.

1

Laserous t1_j7vdzu9 wrote

What? Nom that post has valid concerns about the chemical process it takes to repurpose them. The article doesn't go into that information and it is a valid and important question to ask.

Once the chemical reaction completes, is the solvent broken back into something usable? Or is it stored in drums and discarded.

What are the potential dangers to the environment? The water supply? Does the benefit of doing the process outweigh that impact?

You're calling out someone for asking questions instead of actually attempting to answer them. Plastics have been a recycling problem for a very long time. The process is inefficient and expensive -- usually resulting in just as much waste and pollution.. but hey we all get to feel good for saving the planet!.. right?

As written, this looks like a great prospect. Using solvents to break epoxy into a usable base is a great idea. There's also a line though about how you can't always trust something when it's too good to be true.

5