However, there is very little information available regarding the maintenance of wind turbine foundation bolts, also known as anchor bolts. Wind turbine foundations are a big deal.
Bolt tension issues have been identified as a cause for failure in turbine collapses as have bolt failures from the effects of corrosion.
Yet many bolts are left exposed to the elements, with the result that corrosion rapidly occurs.
Proprietary solutions exist for post-construction remediation of corrosion damage to exposed bolts, including tape wraps, grease and bolt caps, but all suffer from limitations that require frequent maintenance or replacement to prevent corrosion damage to the turbine anchors. If the nuts and threads corrode, retensioning anchor bolts properly is impossible.
The entire turbine structure relies on a few relatively small nuts to ensure it is firmly fixed to the anchor bolts, yet it is left to the operator to ensure they get the protection they need.
We think protection of these nuts is pretty important. Turbine towers do not collapse very frequently and, because they tend to be off the beaten track, injuries from such collapses are rare but the cost of replacement runs into millions and the constant vigilance that is required to maintain the bolts is wasteful and unnecessary.
Anchor bolts can vary in length but the exposed threads are always several inches long, so providing the correct size of bolt cap can be a problem. Because Enviropeel bolt applications will fit any size or shape of bolt, it provides a straightforward, one-size fits all solution, but this is not its only advantage over bolt caps.
And, of course, Enviropeel contains its own active inhibitors so, if corrosion is already present in the bolts, it not only prevents further deterioration but it will also condition the nuts and threads so that they can easily be adjusted for maintenance.
Compare this with protection using a wrapping system … as long as the wrap stays intact, it will provide a barrier to water ingress but nothing else. And, it cannot be removed for inspection without having to be completely replaced whereas, with Enviropeel, it can be removed and replaced.
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