EDGE Innovate has introduced the HS750 horizontal shredder, a cutting-edge machine designed to tackle the growing issue of decommissioned wind turbine blades. As wind turbines installed in the early 2000s near the end of their 20 to 25-year lifespan, the industry is facing a mounting waste crisis, with thousands of blades being retired each year.
In the United States alone, approximately 8,000 blades are decommissioned annually, most of which are currently sent to landfills due to the complexities and costs associated with recycling them. As the wind energy sector continues to expand, this number is expected to increase sharply. EDGE Innovate asserts that its HS750 shredder offers a viable solution to this pressing problem.
Described as a groundbreaking concept in the shredding industry, the HS750 is a slow-speed model that combines high-capacity shredding capabilities with robust resistance to non-shreddable materials. Equipped with a Stage V/Tier 4 Final C18 engine from Caterpillar, the HS750 can effectively shred tough fiberglass blades into manageable pieces, thereby streamlining the recycling process.
The shredder features an intelligent material management system and tramp metal protection, allowing a single operator to control all major functions via radio remote control. It employs a two-stage cutting system, incorporating both top and bottom anvils for optimal particle sizing. Additionally, the machine is fitted with a 1,400-mm (55-inch) wide discharge conveyor, which offers a discharge height of 6.6 meters (21 feet 3 inches).
Weighing in at 52.5 tonnes, the HS750 boasts transport dimensions of 3.1 meters wide (10 feet 2 inches) and 15.9 meters long (52 feet 1 inch), with a height of 3.5 meters (11 feet 5 inches). According to EDGE Innovate, the shredder minimizes the need for extensive blade preparation, significantly reducing handling time and enhancing the efficiency of transportation and processing.
Lee Williamson, EDGE Innovate’s North American Distributor Manager, commented, “EDGE waste shredders meet the highest standards, providing robust and durable solutions that can handle tough materials. With lower rotor RPMs, our high-torque shredders maintain production rates while minimizing dust, which is critical in this particular application.”
The launch of the HS750 comes at a time when the wind industry is under increasing pressure to find sustainable methods for managing turbine blade waste. Landfilling is not seen as a long-term solution; innovations like the HS750 shredder may pave the way for more environmentally friendly alternatives by facilitating the repurposing of blade materials for use in various industries, including cement production and composite manufacturing.
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