The old paddles of windmills find a new purpose: to contain desertification in China

Stronger than the wood and designed to support heat, wind and radiation, the new structures offer a lasting defense against sand

China has found an ingenious way to give the giants a second life that once dominated their energy scenario. The wind turbine paddles, which are starting to withdraw after 20 or 25 years of service, are becoming more than just recycling the product: now they are used to slow down the enemy that advances silently: desertification.

A barrier against sand

Researchers from the Ecology Research Station and the Environment of the Desert Gobi, subject to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, found a way to transform the old Wrefish turbines into porous sand barriers. This solution uses a geographical coincidence: many wind farms in western China are found in arid or semi -desert regions, just where measures are more necessary to control the expansion of the desert.

A very simple process

The turbines are cut, perforated and transformed into porous structures. The wind can cross them, but in a controlled way: enough to keep the sand and change its flow. Laboratory tests have shown that these barriers are 14 times more resistant than the composed wooden panels and can easily support ultraviolet radiation, extreme heat and constant abrasion of the sand.

Subsequently, the experiments on the wind tunnel and computational simulations have confirmed that they significantly reduce the transport of sand to the ground level. Unlike methods …

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Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.