Energy Saving and Emission Reduction: Carbon Fiber’s Lightweight Advantages Are Becoming More Visible
Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is known to be both lightweight and strong, and its use in fields such as aircraft and automobiles has contributed to weight reduction and improved fuel economy. According to a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the total environmental impact from material manufacturing to disposal conducted by the Japan Carbon Fiber Manufacturers Association, the use of CFRP contributes significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions
Aircraft field: when the use of carbon fiber composite CFRP in a medium-sized passenger aircraft reaches 50% (such as in the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 CFRP dosage has exceeded 50%), the amount of carbon fiber used in each aircraft is about 20 tons, compared with the traditional materials can achieve 20% lightweight, according to 2,000 flights per year, each class 500 miles, 10 years of operation, each aircraft can reduce 27,000 tons of CO2 emissions per aircraft in 10 years of operation, based on 2,000 flights per year and 500 miles per flight.
Automotive field: When CFRP is used for 17% of the weight of the car body, the weight reduction improves fuel economy and reduces CO2 emissions by a cumulative total of 5 tons of CO2 emissions per car using CFRP, based on a lifelong driving distance of 94,000 kilometers and 10 years of operation, compared with conventional cars that do not use CFRP.
In addition to this, the transportation revolution, new energy growth and environmental needs are expected to create more new business opportunities for carbon fiber. According to Japan’s Toray, global demand for carbon fiber is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 17% by 2025. In aerospace applications, Toray expects new demand for carbon fiber for “flying cars” such as air cabs and large drones, in addition to commercial aircraft.
Wind power: carbon fiber applications are increasing
In the field of wind power generation, large-scale installations are taking place around the globe. Due to site constraints, installations are shifting to offshore and low-wind areas, resulting in an urgent need to improve power generation efficiency.
Larger wind turbine blades are needed to increase the efficiency of power generation, but manufacturing them using traditional fiberglass composites makes them more susceptible to sagging, which predisposes the turbine blades to the risk of pinching the tower and causing damage. By using better performing CFRP materials, sagging will be inhibited and weight will be reduced, allowing for the manufacture of larger wind turbine blades and contributing to the further adoption of wind power.
By applying carbon fiber composites to the blades of renewable energy wind turbines, it is possible to create wind turbines with longer blades than ever before. Since the theoretical power generation of a wind turbine is proportional to the square of the blade length, by using carbon fiber composites it is possible to achieve a larger size and thus increase the output power of the wind turbine.
According to the latest market forecast analysis released by Toray in May this year, the 2022-2025 wind turbine blade field of carbon fiber demand compound annual growth rate of up to 23%; and is expected to 2030 offshore wind turbine blade demand for carbon fiber will reach 92,000 tons.
Hydrogen Energy: Carbon Fiber’s Contribution Is Becoming More Visible
Green hydrogen is produced by electrolyzing water using electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as solar or wind. As a clean energy source that contributes to carbon neutrality, green hydrogen has been attracting attention and its demand is expected to grow significantly in the future. In addition, its use in hydrogen fuel cells is steadily gaining popularity and is expected to grow significantly in the future.
High-pressure hydrogen storage cylinders made with high-strength carbon fibers, carbon fiber paper used as electrode materials and gas diffusion layers, and other products contribute positively to the complete chain of hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and utilization.
By using carbon fiber in pressure vessels, such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen cylinders, it is possible to effectively reduce weight and increase burst pressure. Demand for CNG cylinders for CNG vehicles used in home delivery services and natural gas transportation tanks is growing steadily.
In addition, demand for carbon fiber used in pressure vessels is expected to increase in the future as hydrogen storage cylinders are increasingly used in passenger cars, trucks, railroads, and ships that use hydrogen fuel cells.
Shanghai Orisen New Material Technology Co., Ltd
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Post time: Aug-02-2024