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3. Contributing to Environmental Conservation through R&D

The Kobe Steel Group actively promotes the creation of environment-friendly products in line with the expansion of its distinctive Only One products. The Group supports various projects in the materials, machinery and engineering fields through technical development. Here we explain some of the technical developments behind environment-friendly products.

Materials Field

As a measure to combat global warming, Kobe Steel is supplying materials that contribute to lightening the weight of vehicles, which in turn improves their fuel economy. In the case of high strength steel sheet, as the material itself is stronger the weight of the parts made from it can be lighter, whereas in the case of aluminum the material itself is light-weight. Here we explain about the material control that produces high strength steel, valve springs and suspension springs. High strength steel has been getting stronger in recent years, and high strength steel in the 980 MPa tensile strength class is now used for vehicle body parts. But as the strength of high strength steel increases, its formability declines and it becomes more difficult to shape. This issue has been researched in our Technical Development Group, and a steel that gives both strength and formability has been achieved by optimizing dispersion in the microstructure through metal structure control technology. This is KOBE SUPER HIGHTEN® steel.

This structure contributes to strength, but is easily damaged and makes the steel more difficult to shape. Bainite (micrometers in size, above photo) strengthens the metal structure while contributing to ductility. This makes it difficult for the metal structure to be damaged.

Densification of rust - Same spring constant (ride comfort) - Same allowable load

Machinery and Engineering Field

The Kobe Steel Group manufactures screw, turbo and other varieties of compressors, plastic mixers, tire machinery, and construction machinery such as hydraulic excavators and cranes. For customers using these products, we have developed machinery with enhanced energy-saving performance to help reduce CO2 and protect the environment. We have also created products to utilize energy not used efficiently, as well as low-noise technology to lessen the impact of machinery on the surrounding environment. Here are some of the ways these developments have been utilized in products. In 2007 a compact, screw-type generator called the Micro Steam Energy Generator (M.S.E.G.) was developed to make efficient use of low-pressure steam. This equipment is connected to the steam piping laid as plant infrastructure and generates electricity from the low-pressure steam. Its main features are high-efficiency power generation using a screw-type expander, which applies technology developed for our oil-free screw compressors, and stable pressure control. By developing a screw expander that achieves high efficiency, even with small amounts of steam, and pressure control technology to maintain stable back pressure, we are able to offer a generator that recovers previously unused energy to produce electricity, and thus contribute to overall energy-savings in operations. In summer 2008, the M.S.E.G. was renamed Steam Star.

	M.S.E.G. Structure

Comparison of Turbine Efficiency

Kobelco Construction Machinery has commercialized an environment-friendly low-noise, energy-saving hydraulic excavator. Excavators working in urban areas are now subject to noise regulations, and noise levels must also be lowered in the cab to improve the working environment for site workers. In the Acera Geospec SR series that was launched in 2006 we have achieved the ultimate in low noise-5 dB below the 95 dB standard of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for designation as an ultra-low noise machine. To reduce the noise level of the machine, the engine noise has been confined to the engine compartment, and the engine layout has been redesigned, utilizing noise prevention design technology and fluid design technology, to produce the new Integrated Noise & Dust Reduction System (iNDr). Since 2000, customers have requested energy-saving features in hydraulic excavators. For the development of the Acera Geospec models launched in 2006, Kobe Steel's Technical Development Group used simulation technology that predicts energy loss in hydraulic control systems during machine digging operations, to design equipment specifications for hydraulic control valves and control laws to increase engine efficiency. This has resulted in a 20% saving of energy over conventional machines, putting these models among the best in the industry. The Kobe Steel Group supports technical developments that enable us to continue supplying environment-friendly products supported by leading-edge key technologies in materials and machinery.

	Integrated Noise & Dust Reduction System (iNDr)
The noise diffraction induced by creating an air-flow passage through the engine compartment reduces noise emerging from the intake and outlet ports.