In this paper, the state-of-the-art ultrasonic and magnetic measuring techniques developed at Kawasaki Steel and used in the production process of steel sheets are described. Representative examples shown here are as follows: (1) Magnetic flux leakage testing system for the detection of nonmetallic inclusions, (2) Nondestructive orientation measurement for secondary re-crystallized grains in grain-oriented electrical steel by ultrasonic interferometry, (3) Immersion testing method for the detection of nonmetallic inclusions, (4) Surface wave probe for the detection of surface flaws in rolls used in rolling mills. Developments of these techniques and their applications to actual steel sheets production processes have contributed to advance in technologies for quality assurance and control. With the help of these techniques, steel sheet products with advanced and uniform properties are being continuously produced to meet customers' needs. (author)
Products having balanced melting point and decomposition temperature have been developed by employing nylon 6T fundamental molecular structure and selected copolymer components, Arlen being one of the products. It has heat resistance as good as that of super-engineering plastics, low water absorption, and excellent cost-performance which can be used for normal injection molding machines. The unit price per kilogram is low when its high heat resistance is taken into consideration. The coefficient of water absorption is as low as about 1/3 of that of nylon 66, and it can be considered to be a low water absorbing amide. The molding temperature is from 320[degree]C to 350[degree]C, the decomposition temperature is 395[degree]C at 2% weight decreasing temperature, and normal injection molding can be employed. It has excellent soldering resistance, high temperature rigidity, dimensional stability, water absorbing coefficient, as well as good chemical resistance and sliding characteristics. ...
Technology is being developed for preparing functional materials by synthesizing new functional peptides in which non-natural amino acid needed for the functional manifestation is introduced, and by modifying the surface of a base plate such as silica glass by using such peptides. Activities were conducted in the three areas of (1) creation of functional molecules, (2) materialization technology, and (3) comprehensive investigation and research; the activities were carried out independently and parallelly in the first two areas. In (1), design technique for the structures and functions of peptides was developed, as were conformational control technique, synthesis of peptides having optical/electronic functions, peptide synthesis by an enzyme method, and R and D on introduction of non-natural amino acid into peptides; in (2), element technologies were developed such as substrate forming technique (pattern forming and thin film forming technology), substrate modification technique, ...
In steel production lines such as pickling lines, cold rolling mills and coil processing lines, the needs for on-line continuous measurement of surface quality and property of products and on-line inspection of surface defects have become strong. This is because user requirements for the surface quality of various products have become severer than before and besides, expectations are running high on the side of manufacturers for higher speeds of production lines and higher quality by the adoption of automatic inspection. As for the measurement of surface quality, continuous measurements along the full length of a steel strip are required in order to overcome problems derived from off-line, batch measurements that cannot satisfy user's demands for quality assurance. As for surface defects detection, various kinds of methods have been practically applied to production lines. However, it is the matter of fact that performances of these methods are not satisfactory under the ...
Fuji Electric has realized highly reliable and functional control systems by the dispersion type control system FOCUS, which uses the controller (ICS-2000) enjoying good reputation in controlling industrial plants for a long time and a personal computer with high windows operability, the former for controlling and the latter for MHI responsible for monitoring. The smelting process in a steel-making plant needs a highly reliable system for advanced control to ensure continuous operation. Fuji Electric delivered the FOCUS system to Kubota in 1998, as the smelting furnace instrumentation/control system for the cupola furnace. The system has been in service smoothly. Moreover, a total of four control systems have been delivered, 2 for steel-making furnaces and the other 2 for continuous casting. (NEDO)
Kawasaki Steel has constructed many facilities for 15 years to produce cold rolled products and galvanized products in Mizushima Works and Chiba Works. To efficiently and stably produce high and uniform quality products, various new control methods have been developed and applied to these new facilities. Especially, temperature control in a continuous annealing line, zinc coating control in a continuous galvanizing line or paint coating control in a multi-purpose coating line and tension control to achieve stable processing are the most advanced technologies and are introduced in this paper. (author)
The regular inspection of No.2 plant in Sendai Nuclear Power Station was carried out from January 7 to February 8, 1985. The summary of the results of this regular inspection is as follows. The facilities as the object of inspection were radiation control facilities and waste facilities. On these facilities as the object of inspection, the appearance, disassembling, functional, performance and other inspections were carried out, and as the results, abnormality was not found at all. The works related to this regular inspection were accomplished within the range of the allowable radiation dose based on the relevant laws. (Kako, I.).
This paper describes high speed rolling and gauge control in cold tandem mill for ultra-thin gauge strip at the Chiba Works of Kawasaki Steel Corporation. To improve the plate-out property of rolling oil, cationic polymeric coagulant was prepared. Rolling oil with cohesion independent of inorganic inclusions or phosphatide was developed, to improve the lubrication for cold rolling, remarkably. In addition, a low-cost Ti-enhanced work roll having high wear resistance and excellent grindability was developed. Rolling can be conducted at the optimal rolling roughness and operation can be performed at the highest rolling speed independent of the rolling treatment amount. Rolling speed at 2800 m/min was confirmed by developing the rolling oil with excellent lubrication and the work roll having high wear resistance. For the improvement of strip thickness accuracy at the steady state rolling, use of the backup roll as roller bearing was more effective rather than the improvement of response ...
For rational use of energy resources, the process technology which allows harmonization and multiplication of conflicting characteristics was developed for development of new ceramic system materials. This paper summarizes the result in fiscal 1997. On a structural reaction process among creation technologies of ultra-reliable structure, study was made on structure control and hot-working technology through atmosphere control in ceramics synthesis. On basic technology for analysis and evaluation, study was made on the effect of particle bridging on strengthening and toughening of ceramic materials. Study was also made on a toughness expression mechanism, FEM model analysis of particle bridging, and crack growth resistance of ceramics. On control of solid solution precipitation, new alumina ceramics with high strength, hardness and wear resistance was obtained by transgranularly precipitating nano-size particles from a fine-grain high-density matrix through an improved particle ...
We developed the technology of using a waste plastic as fuel in the rotary kiln from reducing the fuel cost and recycling resource point of view. It has established based upon the research of a primary combustion characteristics on waste plastics, the research of the combustion mode of the fuel in the rotary kiln by simulation and the actual examination of kiln. The first rotary kiln equipped with the waste plastic injection system has been operating since 1994, and has achieved a good operating result. (author)
Further improvement of dimensional tolerance and elimination of such post-processing as cutting work are required for the maximum exhibition of the features of sintered parts. Powder behavior in fall filling and leveling off is observed with the prototype of visual apparatus for observing powder filling. It is found that the delay in the replacement of powder by air in the die and the fall along the angle of repose are the causes for the occurrence of particle size segregation, and that the diagonal downward slide of powder in upper layer only in leveling off is the cause for nonuniformity of the density. As a result, it is found that improvement of powder flowability and minimization of shaking are important for uniform and rapid filling of powder in a thin walled and complicated shape die cavity, and a guide for developing uniform filling method is made clear. Based on the result, a new uniform filling method for powder is under development to improve the flowability of powder. 9 ...
Recent Kawasaki Steel's development on size and shape measurement techniques for hot steel rolling processes is reviewed. First, a precision enhancement technique for a laser distance meter is described, then its rugged structure necessary for measurement in such tough environment as hot rolling processes is described in detail. A plate length meters and an inter-stand sensors for a hot strip mill are shown as developed size measurement techniques. Furthermore, plate shape meters and laser profile gauges for H-beams are depicted as specific examples of shape measurement techniques. (author)
Kawasaki Steel started the construction of an automatic steel strip coil transportation system in the 1980's. Presently, most of the in-plant transportation of hot-rolled or cold-rolled coils are automated. For establishing the automatic transportation, there were developed various technologies, such as, the optimum handling technology using artificial intelligence, the technology of preventing additional piling of coils on existing coils by using an ultrasonic wave and a laser beam. Through the improvements of these technologies, a full-automated transportation system has been achieved and the system has contributed substantially toward product quality assurance and cost reduction. This paper gives the changes in the automation technology of coil transportation in the automation of No. 3 finishing hot rolling mill, now having the latest automatic system, in Chiba Works. (author)
Service water, 100 l each, was collected at an intake of a water treatment plant and at a tap after water was left running for five minutes. The carriers of strontium and cesium were added to water immediately after sampling, and the sample was vigorously stirred and filtered. Then it was passed through a cation exchange column at a rate of 80 ml/min. Strontium and cesium were eluted with hydrochloric acid from the cation exchange column, and separated. After the radiochemical separation, the mounted precipitates were counted for activity using low background beta counters normally for 60 min. Net sample counting rates were corrected for counter efficiency, recovery, self absorption and decay to obtain the content of strontium-90 and cesium-137 radioactivity per sample aliquot. From the results, concentrations of these nuclides in the original sample were calculated. The maximum values obtained were 0.29 pCi/l of Sr-90 in Kyoto in August, 1981, and 0.02 pCi/l of Cs-137 in Kyoto in ...
The production methods for seven radioisotopes, Ga-67, Sr-85, Pd-103, In-111, Tu-167, Hg-197 and Pb-203, by using a classical 1.5m cyclotron in the Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, USSR, are described. At present, more than 50 cyclotrons in different countries are used for the production of radioisotopes applied to medicine. Radioisotopes are produced with the cyclotron in the I.Ph.P.E. in the form of irradiated targets, which are delivered to Moscow radiopharmaceutical factory, where radiopharmaceuticals are produced on the base of these targets. The cyclotron is operated in two regimes providing the acceleration of protons, deuterons and alpha -particles. Two types of target assemblies are used for irradiation, the one is intended for the internal beam, and the other is for the external beam. The reactions used for the production of seven radioisotopes described above, the types of targets, particle energy, respective irradiated materials, beam current, thick ...
JRR-3 is a research reactor of 10 MWt output, which attained the criticality in 1962. All the design, manufacture, installation and others of this reactor were carried out by Japanese technologies, except the fuel and heavy water as the moderator and coolant, therefore it is nicknamed Home-made No.1 Reactor. Recently, due to the change in the state of utilizing research reactors and the rise of quality in the utilization, JRR-3 has become to be unable to meet sufficiently the needs of users. The plan of reconstructing the JRR-3 was considered under such situation, and in order to reuse the reactor building, the reactor proper is removed, and an entirely new, high performance, versatile reactor is to be constructed. In this paper, as to the removal works of the JRR-3 reactor proper, the method of execution, design, the execution of works and so on are outlined. The removal works of the reactor facilities were started in February, 1986. The removal of the accessory facilities, the ...
The Nuclear Safety Commission acknowledged the policy of the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy to cope with these important matters on August 8, 1984. The main contents of the investigation and deliberation were as follows, As to the prevention of the occurrence of fires, the prevention of the leak and spread of inflammable liquid and gas, the installation of protective relays and so on, the use of incombustible materials and aseismatic design and the installation of lightning arresters. As to the detection of fires and fire fighting, the proper selection and arrangement of fire detectors and extinguishers, the extinguishers which do not harm the safety function of structures and equipment, and the extinguishers which are not affected by natural phenomena. As to the reduction of the effect of fires, the proper installation of fire walls and extinguishers, and the high temperature shut off of nuclear reactors which is never hampered by any fire. (Kako, I.).
The problems of the thermal stress in concrete structures are roughly divided into the initial stress due to setting heat and the stress due to external temperature after hardening. The initial stress exists in every concrete structure, and it is usually neglected in beams and columns, but it must be taken into account in case of the foundation mat structures in nuclear power stations, for example. In this paper, (1) the results of measurement of temperature, strain and stress in each lift at the time of and after placing concrete in the foundation mat of a nuclear power station and the comparison of them with the results of analysis, (2) the results of measurement of the temperature and stress in a foundation mat, which was carried out to rationalize the design method for the raft type foundation mats in thermal power stations, and (3) the results of examination on the analysis model, external force conditions and boundary conditions used for the design are reported. The analysis ...
In the region of annular liquid film-mist flow, the behavior of the droplets formed from the liquid film and the rate of formation are the subjects to be clarified in connection with the forecast of dry-out point, which becomes a problem in the region of high dryness such as reactor cooling system and steam generators. Many researches have been performed on such problem in vertical tubes, but the characteristics in horizontal flow have not yet been sufficiently clarified. This series of research is to clarify various characteristics, such as the velocity of vapor phase, the flow rate distribution of droplets, the formation and adhesion of droplets and the structure of liquid film, in the region of liquid film-mist flow, where liquid film exists on the bottom of a horizontal rectangular channel, and vapor flow is accompanied by droplets. In this study, by the measurement of the flow rate distribution of droplets on respective cross sections along channel axis, the change of the total ...
As for No.2 plant in Sendai Nuclear Power Station, which is the fourth nuclear power generation facilities in Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc., all works have been completed, and at present, the final trial operation is under way. In No.2 plant, many new techniques for raising the reliability and safety, improving the maintainability and reducing radiation exposure were introduced on the basis of the operation experience of PWRs obtained so far, similarly to No.1 plant. In this paper, the main items of the new techniques related to the design and construction of the plant are reported. No. 2 plant is a first improved and standardized plant having the thermal output of 2660 MW for standard three-loop PWRs, and the rated power output was set at 890 MW. As for the turbine, TC6F-40 in was adopted. As the improved design, a large reactor containment vessel, 17 x 17 type 9-grid fuel, improved steam generators, a reactor vessel cover of one-body type, a titanium tube condenser, a 500 kV ...
In the utilization of the thermal energy by ocean temperature difference and factory waste heat, the high performance heating surfaces in pipes from which scale can be removed are required. As the method of removing scale, the method using sponge balls seems most suitable, but for applying this method, as the form of the protrusions attached to the inner surfaces of pipes, smooth circular are form is desirable. The promotion of heat transfer with the rows of circular arc protrusions like this is strongly related to the mode of flow and such structure as separation, recirculation flow, readhesion and turbulent energy generation. In this study, as the basic research to optimize the heating surface with the rows of smooth protrusions, the flow characteristics and the heat transfer characteristics including the turbulent structure of the wake of protrusions were experimentally determined, and the essence of the heat transfer characteristics was to be clarified on the basis of the mode of ...
BWRs are so designed that the exhaust steam from main steam safety relief valves is led to pressure suppression pools, and the steam is condensed in pool water, but at this time, dynamic load seems to arise in the pool water. In Tokai No. 2 Power Station, a Mark-2 containment vessel was adopted to improve the reliability as much as possible and to obtain the design with margin. In this report, the result of actual machine test in Tokai No. 2 Power Station and the method of reducing the load are described. When a relief valve works, the discharge of water in exhaust pipes into a suppression pool, the exhaust of air in exhaust pipes and repeated expansion and contraction of bubbles in pool water, and the exhaust of steam and condensation occur. As for the construction of the suppression pool in Tokai No. 2 Power Station, cross-shaped quencher and the structure with jet deflector were installed. The test plan and the test result with an actual machine are reported. The soundness of the ...
During 17 years since the start of operation of the first commercial LWR in Japan, many LWRs have experienced various corrosion damages, but the causes of them were clarified, and the counter-measures were executed effectively in actual plants, as the results, the cause of corrosion damage decreased remarkably, and now, the high rate of operation has become to be maintained. In this paper, the major cases of corrosion damage experienced in LWRs in Japan and foreign countries, the causes of them and the countermeasures, the problems of hereafter and so on are described. The corrosion damage of metallic materials in the environment of LWRs occurs in the parts in contact with high temperature, high pressure water and steam, such as stainless steel piping in the primary cooling system of BWRs, and nickel alloy heating tubes of steam generators, carbon steel feed water piping and zirconium alloy fuel cladding tubes in PWRs. Recently, accompanying the advance of LWR technology, the ...
During 17 years since the start of operation of the first commercial LWR in Japan, many LWRs have experienced various corrosion damages, but the causes of them were clarified, and the counter-measures were executed effectively in actual plants, as the results, the cause of corrosion damage decreased remarkably, and now, the high rate of operation has become to be maintained. In this paper, the major cases of corrosion damage experienced in LWRs in Japan and foreign countries, the causes of them and the countermeasures, the problems of hereafter and so on are described. The corrosion damage of metallic materials in the environment of LWRs occurs in the parts in contact with high temperature, high pressure water and steam, such as stainless steel piping in the primary cooling system of BWRs, and nickel alloy heating tubes of steam generators, carbon steel feed water piping and zirconium alloy fuel cladding tubes in PWRs. Recently, accompanying the advance of LWR technology, the ...
A method for detecting electrons emitted as secondary particles by photon incidence to a specimen, as well as a method of using the photons emitted by electron incidence as detecting particles are explained. Pd-Si(100)2{times}1 system is adopted for a case study of using photo-electron spectroscopy where synchrotron emitted light in soft X-ray region is used as the incident light. Pd atoms are deposited little by little on clean Si surface to investigate the electron structure of the surface, and the interface electron structure after bonded formation of Pd(thin film)-Si(substrate) is estimated. Radiation soft X-ray spectroscopy is employed to observe the real state of the bonded interface of Pd(thin film)-Si(substrate) prepared by depositing Pd film in a short period of time. In the case of radiation soft X-ray spectroscopy with electron beam excitation, bonded system of thin film and substrate can be investigated by nondestructive analysis even when the film thickness is ...
With an objective to detect gas leaking from an underground gas pipeline, discussions have been given on a method which utilizes acoustic characteristics of leakage. On leaking sound generated from damaged portions, the form of damaging was hypothesized as pinholes, and spectra of leaking sounds from holes with different diameters were measured. The dominant frequency decreases as the hole diameter increases, while it is in a region of relatively high frequency of 1 kHz or higher. However, detection from the ground surface was impossible when cover soil has thickness from 0.5 to 1.5 m. In an experiment to measure leaking sound inside the pipe, pressure in the pipe was adjusted to 0.02 atm which is a standard pressure for a low-pressure pipe, and the sound was measured when the hole diameters were varied. In any of the results obtained by varying the hole diameter, spectra having the dominant frequency in the region of 1 kHz or higher were measured. In addition, it was found that sound ...
As a part of the WE-NET project, the tanker for liquid hydrogen transport was studied. In fiscal 1996, some experiments and numerical analyses were proposed which are necessary to solve technological issues extracted in fiscal 1995 for heat insulation structure. The issue was roughly classified into vacuum and non-vacuum insulation, and their basic functions and required performance were arranged. Boil-off rate of 0.2-0.4%/d was targeted. The insulation system which applies polyurethane form (PUF) to tank surfaces and injects atmospheric N2 gas into the surrounding hold space, could achieve the targeted insulation performance by PUF of 1m in thickness. The system of vacuum panel insulation and atmospheric N2 gas injection into a hold space required the panel of 500mm in thickness because of the large effect of metallic outer panel material. The system of vacuum hold and PUF panels was faced with the essential issue for realizing and maintaining vacuum hold. The super insulation system ...
To heighten durability and safety of materials/parts for undersea oil drilling, the development of ceramic base materials was made by developing function harmony type process technology which harmonizes on a high grade contrary characteristics and various functions. The paper summed up the fiscal 1997 results. In the design of system formation, computational simulation technology was developed to the composite process and the diploid system. The development of multifunction simultaneous manifestation materials was trially made by the higher nano structure process. A study was made of control of microstructures of porous materials and matrix filling by the gas phase precipitation control. Proposed were selective control of grain growth from species crystals and the columnar particle orientation laminated structure of simultaneous manifestation of strength and toughness. By composite precipitation reaction control, studied were simultaneous dispersion of whisker and increase in density ...
A shock wave appears when the release of accumulated energy is instantaneous. For instance, it accompanies gunpowder explosion, electric discharge, laser beam convergence, collision of high-speed objects, release of high-pressure gas, and supersonic flight. The shock wave research center of Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University, is engaged in researches to elucidate the basics of various shock wave phenomena and to apply the fruit to engineering, science, and medicine. In this report, some examples of recent application studies at the center are described, and the trend of shock wave researches in the future is introduced. The ultimate state of the stagnation point of a nozzle flow simulating a reentry into the atmosphere is produced by shock wave compression in a free piston shock tube which is a ground-borne experimental apparatus. Los Alamos National Laboratory, U.S., succeeded in generating metallic hydrogen of a crystalline structure by subjecting liquid hydrogen to shock ...
Studies are made on coal in terms of its effective utilization, coal cleaning, fluidization and production of new fuel, and issues globally raised. Coal is abundant in reserves and high in supply stability and economic efficiency. However, it is much in CO2 emission per calorific value. To control as much CO2 emission as possible, effective utilization such as increasing of power generation efficiency has been proceeded with. In addition to ultra supercritical pressure and fluidized bed combustion, cited are coal gasification combined cycle power generation and high temperature type fuel cell. Coal has 5-20% ash and impurities like sulfur/nitrogen. Coal should be used clean by pollution abatement measures such as dust collecting, desulfurization and denitrification. Japan is at a world top level of these technologies. Coal is solid, and therefore, is more difficult to handle than liquid fuel. To use it easily, coal is liquefied into slurry such as COM and CWM, and technology ...
This paper reports the study results on the standard weather data necessary for simulation of PV power generation systems in fiscal 1994. In the study on the selection criterion of the standard weather data from the viewpoint of PV power generation systems, three typical years are used; a year with average solar radiation, and two years with extremely less and more solar radiation for safe simulation. The standard weather data are arranged for output calculation of PV power generation systems by selecting the most typical year based on long-term observation data. The data to be arranged are as follows; total, direct and scattered solar radiations incident upon a horizontal surface, solar radiation upon a slope surface, sunshine duration, air temperature, wind direction, wind velocity, amount of precipitation, and snow depth. For arrangement of the nationwide standard weather data, estimation of total solar radiation is necessary based on sunshine duration data observed by all weather ...
Concerning the above, it is discussed whether such a system is feasible in Japan. A zinc/air cell system requires some special plants for zinc regeneration, etc. It is necessary to build a zinc refining plant and to install dozens of electrode replacing facilities in an area dozens of kilometers in diameter with the plant at the center. For such a system to be functional, there have to be several tens of thousands of automobile users in a limited area. In Japan, so large a number will not be found anywhere even if the appeal is directed to those in the postal service and electric utilities. There will be no economic success in Japan, different from in Germany. As for the economic comparison between a zinc/air cell system and natural gas system, the two will be equivalent to each other as far as the use of the quick filling stations for the natural gas automobiles remains as it is. When the number in consideration is so large as several tens of thousands, however, the natural gas system ...
Features particular to the technology of using a blast furnace for the recycling of plastic waste are reported, and the behavior of plastic waste injected into a blast furnace is described. The plastic waste is injected into the furnace borne on a 1200degC hot blast through the tuyere. The plastic is converted into a reducing gas in the furnace, and the gas on its way up in the furnace is utilized as a reducing agent in the iron ore reducing reaction. The process is described below. All kinds of plastic waste may be utilized in this fashion, with the exception of polyvinyl chloride. As for polyvinyl chloride, efforts are under way to develop a technology to recycle this plastic. The method using the blast furnace tolerates a wide range of impurities, and the plastic waste is only to be crushed and granulated before use in the furnace. Plastic waste coarsely granulated but not pulverized may be completely gasified when the blast furnace raceway function is utilized. Since plastic waste ...
The most recently developed control technologies in a hot strip mill are described. Preview AGC has been developed with a preview control synthesis. It controls roll gaps by using the previous information of disturbances. The disturbances which are concerned are derived from the rolling force, the roll gap and the thickness of a previous stand. The thickness accuracy and the availability of mill have been improved by this technology. An on-line roll grinding (ORG) system with an on-line roll profile meter (OPM) has been developed for the purpose of achieving schedule-free rolling. The ORG smooths the worn and roughed surface of a work roll and OPM can measure the profile of a revolving roll without contact. The data obtained by the OPM are given as feedback information to the ORG. As a result, grinding accuracy has been improved and rolling restriction on width has been relaxed widely. (author)
Kawasaki Steel has modernized blast furnace control systems featuring an integrated instrumentation and electrical system for each sub-process, a human-machine interface through a single window, and a distributed process computer system. A furnace diagnosis system, which has been known as 'GO-STOP system', has been developed to a knowledge-based system that enables to provide appropriate action guidance. For the burden distribution control, controllability and flexibility have been improved by the use of a bell-less-top charging device. For hot stove control, the automatic setting of a combustion gas flow rate and improved efficiency have been achieved by a fuzzy control system. Furthermore, the remote operation of cast house equipment has been realized and contributed to improve the working environment and the efficient operation at Chiba Works No. 6 blast furnace. (author)
At tandem cold rolling mills in Kawasaki Steel, by means of applying newly developed strip longitudinal (rolling) and transverse gauge control systems, high accuracy of thickness of within {+-}0.5 % has been achieved over the full length and full width of cold rolled strip, as gauge accuracy in a coil in longitudinal and transverse directions has become an extremely important quality control item in the manufacturing of cold rolled sheets due to the stricter quality requirements of customers, in recent years. The longitudinal gauge accuracy has been improved by the development of a high-response drive system for a mill mair motor, an all-stands gauge control system and a dynamic set-up control system. The transverse gauge accuracy has been improved by applying a one-side tapered work roll shifting method and the development of an edge drop control system in terms of the optimum use of an edge drop sensor. (author)
This report describes the fiscal 1998 result on development of genome informatics technology. As comparative analysis technique of genes, the combination of electrophoresis and PCR was used. For improvement of the throughput and reproducibility of the technique, module- shuffling primers were used, and the multi(96)-arrayed capillary fragment analyzer was devised. The system detecting SNPs rapidly was also developed successfully. As analysis technology of DNA sequence by use of triple- stranded DNA formation, study was made on construction of long cDNA libraries, selective subtraction of specific sequences from libraries, and the basic technology of homologous cloning. Study was also made on each reaction step of IGCR technique for fast analysis, and specifications of a fluorescence transfer monitor. As modeling technique of genetic sequence information, the simulation model was developed for gene expression regulatory networks during muscle differentiation, and feedback regulation of ...
Introduction of geothermal heat pump systems, which depend on temperature differential, is investigated for urban areas, which have large energy demands. Results of the surveys on the current situations of geothermal heat pump (GHP) systems indicate that they have already numbered 300,000 units in USA and totaled more than 50,000 units in Switzerland and Northern European countries, and that they are increasing at an annual rate of higher than 10%. The results also indicate that introduction of these systems are well feasible in Japan, which generally has better topographical conditions than American and European countries, and the GHP system with vertical ground heat exchanger is investigated for its topographical and environmental considerations. These systems could annually abate approximately 52 million tons of CO2 (4.3% decrease), if disseminated to all households. They are also expected to help control the heat island phenomenon, and reduce peak power consumption. The ...
A project on the title is a special study of TRC (Technology Research Center) Japan National Oil Corporation, which aims at developing a system collecting many data near well bottom while drilling. The project is a 3-year project from 1993 to 1995 succeeding to results of a project on real-time drilling control technology which was finished in fiscal 1992. This paper is a record in fiscal 1993. In 1993, the first year, TRC starts a joint study with relational enterprises aiming at utilizing an EM-MWD (electromagnetic-measurement while drilling) system practically. Based on the past fruit of the study, the EM-MWD system was applied to an highly inclined well or a horizontal well. A total system was constructed, which improved electromagnetic radiation transmission efficiency, and reliability, and workability. An electromagnetic radiation receiver system for an offshore drilling rig was developed. A well bottom tools of 6-3/4 inches outer diameter was developed. An inspection was ...
This paper describes Fuji computed radiography (FCR) of Fuji Film for NDT (non-destructive testing). Imaging plate (IP) is a two-dimensional detector of X-ray, and shows higher photographic sensitivity than X-ray film. The output emission of IP provides a good linear relationship to X-ray intensity in a wide intensity range. When this emission can be digitized, the X-ray intensity can be also digitized. IP is applied to NDT as an inspection using X-ray. FCR provides higher photographic sensitivity than the conventional X-ray film method, which results in one-fifth to one-twentieth of irradiation time. Images with stable density can be obtained independent of the intensity. Since IP has a wide dynamic range, the variation of X-ray intensity of 1:500 can be expressed in a single image by single shot. High density record including 1000 images can be done using a 5.25 inch optical disk through the digital image processing and the electrical quantification. The retrieval is also easy. ...
Accelerated oxidation treatment technology is introduced for use in the treatment of poor quality water by ozone injected from the bottom of a pressurized ozone contact tank. Under study as oxidation accelerating processes using ozone center about an ozone/hydrogen peroxide treatment, ozone/UV treatment, ozone/hydrogen peroxide/UV treatment, etc. As the result of testing, important respects in accelerated oxidation are learned, which are stated below. In the ozone-aided treatment, there are some substances, such as chromatic matters, that can be removed more rapidly when in direct contact with gaseous ozone. In this case, the concentration of remnant ozone poses an important problem. In relation to the amount of injected hydrogen peroxide, what is important is the ozone/hydrogen peroxide injection ratio relative to the substance that is to be removed. In the use of UV rays, since the decomposition rate of dissolved ozone is approximately ten times higher than that of hydrogen peroxide, ...
This research and development is intended to structure a network centering around a center having systematized high-level maintenance technology, by utilizing the technological infrastructure having been built in local areas, together with element technologies possessed by national and private research institutes, universities and colleges. It is also purposed to establish a new industrial system for maintenance to realize high reliability, high operation rate and low cost in plants in certain areas. The present fiscal year had the following achievements: research and development of a maintenance system, a maintenance model, a maintenance vehicle, damage estimating technology for stationary parts such as piping, an anomaly diagnostic system using acoustic emission, an anomaly diagnostic system using wear particles in lubricant, an anti-wear material using surface modification, a lubrication control system, and an anomaly diagnostic system using ultrasonic waves. The research and ...
Investigations and studies are conducted seeking for a CO2 fixation method improved by utilizing the photosynthesizing function of higher vegetation. Details of higher vegetation genes are being disclosed thanks to the rapid progress of studies making use of molecular biological techniques, and the application of the genetic mechanism to scientific and technological fields is becoming increasingly feasible. In particular, the role of the CO2 fixation enzyme RuBisCO has been elucidated almost completely. It has been learned that, in terms of photosynthesizing capability, the C{sub 4} plants (corn etc.) are 2-3 times higher than the C{sub 3} plants (rice, wheat, etc.), and 5-10 times higher than the CAM plants (cactuses etc.). Studies are also under way about the rice genome so that a photosynthesizing capability so high as that of the C{sub 4} plants may be endowed the rice plant. The metabolism and control of useful substances produced in the CO2 fixation process etc. in the higher ...
Studies are made of optimum materials and methods for manufacturing low-carbon fuels for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. When their thermal dynamic limits and the technological maturity are considered, it is inferred that no extensive improvement will be achieved by merely improving on the efficiency of the existing fuels. The use of various high-efficiency driving power sources utterly different in mechanism from the conventional ones, such as those for fuel cell-powered automobiles, and the promotion of the use of low-carbon fuels such as methanol and methane for all kinds of driving power sources including those for the said fuel cell-powered automobiles, will become necessary. The use will also be necessary of recyclable materials. The biomass resources, in particular, since they absorb CO2 gas in their growing process by virtue of photosynthesis, may be said to be free of CO2 gas emissions. They have their own problems, however, which involve the economy of energy consumed ...
Among the items of the Sunshine Project in fiscal 1981 for development of a solvent extraction and liquefaction plant, this paper describes the achievements in developing secondary hydrogenation. A small continuous hydrogenation device equipped with three reaction columns that can be filled with catalyst of 50 cc, and a dedicated testing room were designed, and orders were placed with manufacturers. The fabrication, assembly, delivery, installation, piping and wiring were all completed. The device passed a completion inspection based on the high-pressure gas safety assurance law in December 1981. After leakage due to gas and material oil was checked, a trial operation was performed, and verified of normal operation. A screening test was carried out on three kinds of commercially available and prototype catalysts before testing the SRC containing material for studying the secondary hydrogenation. The circulating solvent having a boiling point from 180 to 430 degree C (F56-01) was used ...
A study was made for the purpose of electrification of unelectrified zones of the mountainous areas in developing countries using extremely small hydroelectric power facilities. The target for this project is a development of a micro hydroelectric power system with a size of about 5kW, which is estimated regarding that 1 village has 80 houses and each house needs electricity of 60W. In the study, the low-head system using a weir of irrigation channels in Subang pref. of West Java state was selected by the evaluation of access, stability of flow rate, natural conditions, etc. The hydroelectric power plant is of a flow-in method in which water is taken from the left bank and is injected/discharged to the downstream of the left bank. As the hybrid complementary power source, hybrid battery with a two-hour charging time at peak and a capacity of 3.5kWh was considered. When estimating the construction cost of the hybrid micro hydroelectric power system and equalizing by durable years, the ...
This project is aimed at development of optimum combustion technology with diversified fuels, e.g., naphtha and LCO, for gas turbines and others as power sources for topographical energy supply. The combustion under the microgravity is also investigated using the underground facilities at Japan Microgravity Center. Described herein are the FY 2000 results. For construction of combustion model and simulation, the combustion reactions for various liquid fuels are simplified to calculate ignition delay, adiabatic flame temperature and laminar burning velocity with an error less than about 3%. The microgravity combustion experiments are conducted for spray dispersed into a cylinder, to find flame propagation velocities changing with the vaporization characteristics of liquid fuels, and also to construct the combustion models. The premixed turbulent combustion simulation program is developed using a probability density function and analyzed. Development of new combustion technologies ...