International’s new facility will enable protective coatings for wind turbine blades to be developed more quickly (source: AkzoNobel)
A new facility has opened in the UK that will accelerate the development of coatings that protect wind turbine blades
Built by International, AkzoNobel’s protective coatings brand, the rain erosion test (RET) facility at the company’s research and development hub in Felling is said to be the first of its kind.
Purpose-designed and built, the RET will simulate real-life, harsh weather conditions to test new paints and coatings designed for wind turbine blades.
The facility can simulate weather conditions from different parts of the world, including water flow rates and water and air temperatures. It is based on what the company described as a ‘three-bladed helicopter principle’ with test specimens shaped like the leading edge of a wind turbine blade.
A rain erosion test complies with ASTM G73-10 Standard Test Method for Liquid Impingement Erosion Using Rotating Apparatus and has a proven level of repeatability and fulfils DNV’s Recommended Practice (DNV-RP-0171) for testing rotor blade erosion protection systems.
International said the £1.4M (US$1.8M) investment in the facility will enable it to accelerate product development because it can run many tests quickly – it has the potential capacity to triple the number of tests the company can run every week.
AkzoNobel R&D director Ralph Slikkerveer said the testing facility “can immediately generate data and analyse results.” He said prolonged testing “will transform the company’s ability to innovate in the wind energy sector.” He said the company will “now be able to more meaningfully participate in lifetime prediction discussions on protective coating systems for wind turbine blades.”
AkzoNobel sales cluster manager marine and protective coatings, Adam Stephenson said protective coatings tested at the facility will help future-proof wind turbine blades, helping them withstand extreme weather conditions.
