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Environmental
Management
Sustainability Report 2006 |
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| Contribution to Environmental Protection through
Products, Technologies and Services (5) |
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| New Energy and Waste Heat Utilization |
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Small Hydroelectric Generator Operates on as Little
as 2 Liters of Water Per Second |
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Shinko Electric Co.,
Ltd. has developed a small hydroelectric generator that can produce
electricity with a water flow as low as 2 liters per second.
Two models are available: one with a 0.5 kW generating capacity (weighing
50 kg) and the other with a 1 kW generating capacity (weighing 75
kg). Because both of these ultra-compact units can generate electricity
using only a few liters of water per second, they can be installed
just about anywhere there is flowing water, including small mountain
streams or factory wastewater outlets. Only a small installation space
is needed, and there is no danger that the unit will contaminate the
water that passes through. Fast and easy setup can be completed in
half a day, requiring the simple connection of hoses to the intake
and outlet ports. The intake port is specially designed to prevent
clogging by fallen leaves and other debris.
With the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and skyrocketing oil
prices, demand is rising for alternative forms of energy. This generator
is especially well suited for residential and small office applications. |
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Compact hydroelectric power generator |
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Heat Energy Transport Technology Developed |
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Kobe Steel, Ltd.
and Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co., Ltd. have developed technology that
can store low- to medium-temperature heat energy (below 200°C)
in a thermal storage unit, which can then be transported to remote
areas via truck.
Currently, steelworks, factories, waste incineration plants and other
facilities simply release low- to medium-temperature waste heat without
attempting to reuse it. A proprietary technology developed by these
two companies uses erythritol (which has a melting point of 119°C)
as the thermal storage material. In transport tests, hot water was
successfully maintained at 90°C, a world first.
Applications go beyond hot water supply to include energy for cooling
systems. No pipelines or other infrastructure are needed, making this
a highly effective heat energy source that helps to reduce CO2
gas emissions and combat global warming. |
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Truck carrying a thermal storage unit |
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Hydrogen energy utilization: High-purity hydrogen
and oxygen generation system |
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Kobelco Eco-Solutions
Co., Ltd. developed a landmark device, a high-purity hydrogen and
oxygen generation system called HHOG. It uses a proton exchange membrane
to generate high-purity hydrogen and oxygen from pure water. Hydrogen
is noted as a next-generation energy alternative to fossil fuels.
HHOG can generate hydrogen from only electricity and water. Also,
it does not emit such gasses as CO2 that cause
global warming. Owing to these features, sales of the equipment are
steadily increasing in and outside Japan. HHOG is installed at hydrogen
refueling stations for fuel cell vehicles in Yakushima, Kyushu, Japan,
which is registered on the World Heritage list.
Also, Kobe Steel has developed the world's first 1,000 bar (100 MPa)
ultra-high pressure compressor for hydrogen refueling stations that
supply hydrogen gas to fuel cell vehicles. The system combines an
oil-free piston compressor with a diaphragm head, combining ultra-high
pressure and large capacity in one compact compressor unit.
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Recently in Japan, stations that
supply hydrogen gas at 400 bars have begun to be constructed.
Research and development is now being carried out on 1,000 bar-class
stations for high-pressure hydrogen tanks used in fuel cell
vehicles. |
High-purity hydrogen and oxygen generation
system |
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100MPa ultra-high pressure hydrogen
compressor |
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Mechanism of hydrogen
gas generation
A proton exchange membrane acts as the electrolyte. Electrocatalysts
are bonded on both sides of the membrane. Deionized water fed into
the anode chamber is decomposed into oxygen and the ion H+. The ion
passes through the membrane to the cathode by force of the electrical
field. The ion obtains electrons and generates hydrogen gas.
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Kobe Steel
Group exhibits at International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo
The Kobe Steel Group had a booth at the
2nd International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo held January
25-27, 2006 at Tokyo Big Sight, where company representatives
promoted Kobe Steel's hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
The Exhibition displayed the latest products and technologies
under one roof, with the participation of 404 companies from
around the world. Five Kobe Steel Group companies participated:
Kobe Steel, Ltd., Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co., Ltd., Shinko Electric
Co., Ltd., Shinko JFE Industrial Co., Ltd. and Kobelco Research
Institute, Inc. |
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2nd International Hydrogen & Fuel
Cell Expo in Tokyo |
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Soyokaze-kun Compact Wind Power Generation Systems |
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Shinko Electric Co.,
Ltd. has applied cutting edge technologies in the fields of aircraft
engineering, clutches, AC generators and controllers to develop the
Soyokaze-kun series of small, wind power generation systems. Unlike
conventional propeller type generators, this series features a unique
vertical-shaft windmill made of aluminum sheet from Kobe Steel, which
can very efficiently generate electricity with a wind speed of just
2 meters per second, regardless of wind direction. The use of solar
panels results in hybrid power generating capacity (wind + solar)
with an AC100V output that can be used by virtually any household
appliance in Japan. The unit operates quietly, making it suitable
for residential areas. It is used in general households and small
offices, on street lamps, in shops, on farms and isolated islands,
and also as an auxiliary power supply for communication systems in
times of disaster.
As many as four vertical-shaft windmills can be stacked on top of
each other to create a high power unit with a 10 kW capacity. The
use of a solar panel installed at the top of the windmill tower further
promotes the utilization of renewable energy resources. Requiring
a space of just 4 m x 4 m and between 12 m and 14 m of open height,
this stacked version of Soyokaze-kun is extremely compact and easy
to install. The first commercial order was received from Kosai, Shizuoka
Prefecture as a power source for a hot footbath at the highway rest
stop Michi no Eki Shiomizaka. |
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Tandem-type wind power generation system |
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