MA – Comparative Life cycle assessment of conventional vs. additively manufactured fiber composite components in wind power industry

The growing demand for renewable energy highlights the environmental challenges associated with manufacturing wind turbine rotor blades from fiber composites. The master thesis aims to compare the environmental impacts of two manufacturing methods: Vacuum-supported fiber composite construction with a thermoset matrix (conventional method) and generative fiber composite construction with a thermoplastic matrix (additive manufacturing).

Methods of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) have to be used to compare the two methods. This will also assess how these two blades align with the circular economy by investigating potential recycling approaches for the waste streams generated. Proposed steps could be:

–    Define LCA parameters: functional unit, system boundaries, and allocation rules

–    Analyze batch-specific resource flows using secondary data (ecoinvent 3.10)

–    Assess maintenance intervals, operating times, and repair frequencies

–    Evaluate the recyclability of the fiber composites, particularly focusing on the recycling of fiber-enhanced composites.

–    Model and perform Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) and conduct a sensitivity analysis using openLCA

Bearbeiter: Ebin Pulparambil Baby

Betreuer: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin März

Verantwortlicher: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin März