An Experimental Study on Biochar/Polypyrrole Coating for Blade Anti-Icing of Wind Turbines

Wind turbines operating in cold regions are prone to freezing in winter, which can affect their performance and safety. To resolve this situation, the development of blade anti-icing technology has attracted widespread attention. In this study, a type of biochar/polypyrrole coating was obtained through synthesis on the surface of biochar. After characterization, it was found that the porous structure, irregular dents, and bumps on the surface of biochar/polypyrrole material contributed to the formation of a nanoscale roughness structure with a typical super-hydrophobic nanostructure. Additionally, it had a sufficient surface area. The wetting characteristics of the coating were analyzed with the assistance of a contact angle measurement instrument. The contact angle of the coating was determined as 151 degrees, which indicates the excellent hydrophobic properties of the coating. Icing wind tunnel tests were carried out to evaluate the anti-icing effect of biochar coating and biochar/polypyrrole coating at different ambient temperatures and wind speeds. Compared with uncoated leaves, the icing area of biochar/polypyrrole coating was reduced. Additionally, the anti-icing effect of biochar/polypyrrole coating was most significant. This study provides a practical reference for the research of anti-icing coating on wind turbine blades.

Automated summary

In order to solve the problem of freezing of wind turbines in cold regions during winter, researchers synthesized a biochar/polypyrrole coating. The coating had a porous structure, irregular dents, and bumps, forming a typical super-hydrophobic nanostructure with sufficient surface area. It exhibited excellent hydrophobic properties with a contact angle of 151 degrees. Wind tunnel tests showed that the biochar/polypyrrole coating effectively reduced the icing area and had the most significant anti-icing effect. This study provides a practical reference for the research of anti-icing coatings on wind turbine blades.