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Environmental Management
Environmental Sustainability Report 2004

Contribution to Environmental Protection through Products, Technologies and Services (2)


Energy-saving
Two-stage screw refrigeration compressor

Two-stage screw refrigeration compressors used for applications such as the freezing and vacuum freeze-drying of food. and others. In conventional compressors, when the cooling temperature decreases, the suction pressure goes down, , the circulating refrigerant volume is reduced, and the freezing capabilities are degraded.
Kobe Steel took note of the surplus energy produced in motors and condensers under such conditions, and developed the iZ Series. Inverter control is conventionally used to lower the rotating speed to save energy. The iZ Series, however, makes maximum use of the surplus rotating speed. Until the target temperature is reached, the machine increases the rotating speed as the suction pressure lowers, and when the target temperature is reached, the machine controls the rotating speed and suppresses energy loss resulting from overcooling. The compressor exhibits the same nominal capacity in the 50-Hz range when it operates as much as 20% below its capacity, as compared to the 60-Hz level,.
As a result, the iZ Series can provide the refrigeration capabilities 50% greater than our conventional models and has achieved great reduction in power consumption when at reduced loads. Furthermore, the “iZa Series” eco-friendly compressors use R404A, for zero ozone !)dpletion.

Comparison of refrigerating capabilities with conventional model 2-stage screw refrigeration compressor
 
   

Development of oil-free inverter compressor  

 
Kobe Steel developed an oil-free inverter compressor, the Emeraude VF, ALE-V, which has a Kobelco inverter control that suppresses wasteful rotations and achieves ideal power saving under any severe load conditions. It quickly follows the air consumption rate, controls to constant pressure within ±0.01 MPa pressure fluctuation band, and suppresses wasteful power consumption. The compressor is equipped with a wide-range control function and enables an increased air-volume operation of 19% at maximum, at low-pressure operation.

The two-stage screw refrigeration compressor iZ Series/iZa Series, developed under a completely new concept, received the 2003 Japan Machinery Federation President's Award.

Kobe Steel is Japan's top manufacturer of compressors and has received the award for the compressor-related products for five consecutive years.

Starting from Japan's first high-pressure reciprocating compressor in 1915, we have broadened our menu to include reciprocating, screw and turbo compressors, fulfilling the wide-ranging needs of users.


Energy-saving Diagnostic Service  
Shinko Mex Co., Ltd.
http://www.shinkomex.co.jp/
 

By using energy-related technologies and measurement/analysis technologies acquired in steelworks, Shinko Mex makes diagnosises on energy-saving of plants and buildings and grapples with energy saving from improvement proposals to onsite remodeling work. Some examples are:
[1] Energy-saving, cost reduction
[2] Updating aged utility facilities
[3] Increasing the capacity of utility facilities
[4] Complying with environmental regulations


The Industry’s First Hybrid Excavator
Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
http://www.kobelco-kenki.co.jp/english_index.html


Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., a comprehensive construction machinery manufacturer, plans to complete a prototype hybrid excavator this fall and begin trials on the machine. Kobe Steel and NEDO (New Energy Development Organization) are undertaking joint development. The hybrid excavator trials using an actual machine will be a first for a construction machinery manufacturer.

The hybrid excavator uses the electricity from a generator powered by the engine to operate electrically-driven motors and hydraulic pumps. Electricity is also used by the boom, arm and bucket for excavation work and for the swing and travel functions of the excavator itself. When the boom is lowered or the swing is stopped, energy is recovered and charged. , When operations require more output than what the engine is capable of giving and when the boom must be raised, applying the surplus energy increases energy efficiency and reduces fuel consumption by more than 40%.