Elemental Technologies Research Articles

Analysis of R&D Strategy for Advanced Combined Cycle Power Systems

This article analyzes and evaluates the R&D strategy for advanced power generation technologies, such as natural gas combined cycles, IGCCs (Integrated coal Gasification Combined Cycles), and large-scale fuel cell power generation systems with a mixed-integer programming model. The R&D processes are explicitly formulated in the model through GERT (Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique), and the data on each required time of R&D was collected through questionnaire surveys among the experts. The obtained cost-effective strategy incorporates the optimum investment allocation among the developments of various elemental technologies, and at the same time, it incorporates the least-cost expansion planning of power systems in Japan including other power generation technologies such as conventional coal, oil, and gas fired, and hydro and wind power. The simulation results show the selection of the cost-effective technology developments and the importance of the concentrated investments in them. For example, IGCC, which has a relatively high thermal efficiency, and LNG-CCs of the assumed two efficiencies are the cost-effective investment targets in the no-CO2-regulation case.

Towards Human Centred Manufacturing Systems in the Next Generation-A Proposal of Human Friendly Manufacturing Systems-

Nowadays agile market is in common, and the fundamental technology supporting next-generation production system requires further development of machine and information technologies to establish “human friendly technology" and a bridging of these technologies together. IMS-HUTOP project proposes a new product life cycle that respects the human nature of individuals, and establishes the elemental technologies necessary for acquiring, modelling and evaluating various human factors in an effort to achieve the HUTOP cycle. In this paper we propose a human centred and human friendly manufacturing system, which has been proposed in the IMS-HUTOP project.

1401 水草カーボンを用いた環境調和型ELID研削用砥石の開発(S78-1 高機能研削加工(1),S78 高機能研削加工)

We are studying ways of recycling grinding fluid, supplying grinding fluid and electrode technology in the aim to develop environmentally friendly ELID grinding technology. As one elemental technology of this environmentally friendly ELID grinding technology, we developed a metal free electrode-conductive resionoid bonded wheel using waterweed carbon material as the conductive material. This paper reports the results of investigations on the basic feature of this material for ELID grinding.

Development of 66 kV/6.9 kV 2 MV A prototype HTS power transformer

We have developed the technology of the producing a HTS magnet for the power transformer. Three subjects have been mainly studied, high voltage technologies, large current and low AC loss technologies and sub-cooling system technologies to establish the technology of 66kV/6.9kV 10MVA class HTS power transformer.In order to verify the validity of elemental technologies, such as high voltage technologies, large current and low AC loss technologies and sub-cooling system technologies, single-phase 2MVA class 66kV/6.9kV prototype HTS transformer was manufactured and tested. In the load loss (AC loss) measurement, it was obtained that the measured value of 633W was almost corresponding to the calculated value of 576W at the rated operation of 2MVA. Moreover, the breakdown was not found all voltage withstand test. These test results indicate that elemental technologies were established for the development of 66kV/6.9kV 10MVA class HTS power transformer.

PRIORITY DECISION OF KEY TECHNOLOGY ELEMENT IN NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: AN EMPIRICAL COMPARISON BETWEEN QFD AND TAGUCHI METHOD

Technology innovation or new product development (NPD) is composed of various process elements that require specialized knowledge/know-how needed for the application of fundamental technologies on actual product development. With the widespread use of techniques such as PERT/CPM, a major part of project management efforts focuses on resource allocation and time scheduling. In a multi-project environment of high-technology product development, prioritizing technology elements within a full spectrum of required developments is relatively more important than resource allocation or cost-reduction. Furthermore, disagreements between project managers and researchers in setting the priorities of project elements should be resolved and managed systematically to leverage a successful execution of the whole project. In this study, modified QFD and modified Taguchi method are suggested for setting priorities among elemental technologies. As a first step, the authors interviewed project managers from two companies in order to identify elemental technologies and competitiveness factors of the project in scope. Then, the priorities of elemental technologies for both projects are measured using two different methods. In the modified QFD method, the relationship matrix (HOQ, house of quality) is used to determine the priorities. In the modified Taguchi method, the priorities are determined by evaluating contributions of each elemental technology on competitiveness factors with participant's opinions as noise variables. The results of the two methods are compared. A post-hoc survey showed that project managers and researchers slightly prefer the QFD method.

Evaluation of polymer electrolyte fuel cell application technology R&Ds by GERT analysis

Research and developments (R&Ds) of polymer electrolyte fuel cell application technologies, including two types of residential cogeneration systems (CGSs) operating at different temperatures and three types of passenger fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) fueled by onboard clean gasoline or hydrogen, were evaluated through an R&D processes model constructed using graphical evaluation and review technique. The results include that (1) the intermediate temperature (i.e.120–140 ∘ C)-operating CGS and onboard hydrogen storage-type FCV have high R&D success probabilities of higher than 0.7; with realizations expected around the year 2021 under ordinary conditions, but as soon as 2017 given adequate R&D investment; (2) additional investments in system integration technologies are estimated to be the most cost-effective in shortening the R&D time of each application technology; and (3) concentrating the R&D of separator technologies in substitutional relationships to each other on metallic material-based technologies is one strategy for efficiency in elemental technology R&D investment.

テクノビジネススクールとしての産業戦略工学専攻の試み

In this paper, the educational practice of the master course of techno-business administration (MTA) at Nagoya Institute of Technology (NIT) is introduced to propose the practical engineering education at a postgraduate level. MTA was established in 2003 on the basis of hundred years' engineering education at NIT. An objective of this school is to educate engineers to be leaders, entrepreneurs and managers. The practical tuition covers the fields in Industrial Management of Technologies, Core-Technologies and Laboratories work. Among these, the most focused and effective subject is “Case-Study,” in which students are encouraged to simulate business settings using elemental technologies developed by teaching staff. Discussions are made to apply the technology to match the possible markets. This type of experiences certainly motivates the students work and is clearly reflected in their research paper.

フェライト系ステンレス鋼の材質予測技術の開発

In the ferritic stainless steel, such as SUS430, grain refinement is one of the useful measures to improve the strength and the toughness. So it is important to optimize the rolling schedule as rough process of production with the view of grain refinement. In optimization of the rolling schedule, microstructural prediction by computer simulation is one of the most important elemental technologies from the viewpoint of cost reduction and superior quality. In this study, microstructural prediction technology for SUS430 has been developed to optimize the rolling schedule for grain refinement. And trial production in actual multi-stage mill has done to test accuracy of prediction. Obtained results are as follows. 1. It became possible to predict microstructure on multi-stage rolling by application of incremental microstructure prediction method. 2. This system is useful for microstructure prediction on multi-stage rolling within adequate preciseness. 3. On designed rolling schedule wit t using microstructural prediction system, mean grain size of center in wire has been reduced about 36 %.

Development of a mixed integer programming model for technology development strategy and its application to IGCC technologies

The cost effective R&D strategy is required especially for large-scale technologies because their development demands a large amount of investment in general. A mixed integer programming model was developed for the optimum technology development strategy in the field of energy systems. The module of the technology development process in the model is based on GERT (Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique). In the module, a target technology is broken down into many elemental technologies. Usually several target technologies are involved for the evaluation of technology development strategy of one field and some of the elemental technologies are used common to a number of target technologies. Since elemental technologies are explicitly modeled, their spillover effects are necessarily evaluated in this model analysis. The proposed method was applied to the evaluation of the development strategy of four types of IGCC (Integrated coal Gasification Combined Cycle) technologies which have different levels of thermal efficiencies. The total investment on both their R&D and practical use is optimized under the constraint of meeting a certain exogenous scenario of electricity demand. The evaluation results include the optimum additional investment allocation among the developments of various elemental technologies; developments of integration technology for IGCC-43%, IGCC-55% and IGCC-48%, coal gasification technology, oxide dispersion strengthened superalloy technology for the gas turbine blade and vane, ceramic matrix composite technology for the gas turbine blade, dry sulfur-removal technology, etc. are cost-effective.

Elemental development of beryllide electrode for pebble production by rotating electrode method

Beryllide (Be 12Ti) is being considered one of the promising candidates for advanced neutron multipliers. In order to realize the pebble production, a vacuum casting process has to be applied. In the present study, an elemental technology to fabricate beryllide rods by a vacuum casting was developed. There were two major technical subjects to realize this process. The first was to identify a furnace material that shows minimum chemical reaction with beryllide. Another was to develop a procedure to cast durable ingot without any shrinkages and cracks. Reactivity between Be 12Ti melt and refractory materials such as CaO, MgO and BeO was tested. It was clarified that the BeO crucible had less reactivity with melt and no contamination. Casting tests with a MgO cylindrical mold in a vacuum chamber revealed that the mold dimension was critical to minimize shrinkages and cracks. From this study, elemental technologies to be developed were made clear.

Time to realization: Evaluation of CO 2 capture technology R&Ds by GERT (Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique) analyses

R&D (research and development) processes of CO 2 capture technologies having different levels of energy efficiency are evaluated through GERT (Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique) analyses. Five types of the technologies are targeted for evaluation: chemical absorption, physical adsorption, membrane separation, O 2/CO 2 recirculation boiler, and integrated hydrogen separation gas turbine technologies. These technologies are decomposed into elemental technologies, and network charts are constructed which express R&D processes of the target technologies for the GERT analyses. Data on the elemental technology R&Ds are collected through a questionnaire to Japanese experts in 2001, and are used for the evaluation. The obtained results include that (1) the average expected time periods required for the completion of the target technology R&Ds are in the range of 16 and 19 years, except for a shorter R&D time of 13.8 years for the chemical absorption CO 2 capture technology having the conventional energy efficiency, (2) though the R&D success probabilities are relatively high for the chemical absorption type CO 2 capture technologies, they become lower as the energy efficiency becomes higher, which implies that the R&Ds of the capture technologies other than the chemical absorption type are also recommended for the successful completion of the capture technology which has the highest energy efficiency among the target technologies, and (3) additional R&D investments on large scale equipment such as tower, blower and pumping technologies are cost-effective for accelerating the target technology R&Ds.

Novel Opto-Electronic Braid System with Kumihimo-Structure as a New Concept of Flexible Electronics

AbstractFollowing the new concept proposed as an opto-electronic integrated system with “textile structure”, we propose here another integrated system-concept of flexible electronics based on “braid structure”. The braid integrated system forms electronic equipment constructed by the filamentous body. Opto-electronic integrated circuits are constructed with Kumihimo-structure by weaving more than three threads on which various devices, and components, such as, transistors, photoelectric transducers, contact-electrodes, pads for wiring and other passive components of circuits are mounted periodically.From the experience of the designing of some basic logic circuits, the Kumihimo-structure weaved by eight-threads of two groups is proposed as a basic structure of the integrated circuit for application to single track braid system. Characteristics and elemental technologies of the braid system are analyzed for the extension of the concept. Application area of the system and requirements for the system are discussed. The braid system is also discussed in flexible electronics concept.

Towards Manufacturing/Distribution Systems in the Next Generation-A Proposal of Human Centred KANSEI Manufacturing Systems-

Nowadays agile market is in common, and the fundamental technology supporting next-generation production system requires further development of machine and information technologies to establish “human technology” and a bridging of these technologies together. IMS-HUTOP project proposes a new product life cycle that respects the human nature of individuals, and establishes the elemental technologies necessary for acquiring, modelling and evaluating various human factors in an effort to achieve the HUTOP cycle. In this paper we propose a human centred KANSEI manufacturing system, which has been proposed in the IMS-HUTOP project with 5 work packages.

Elemental technologies for efficient dye-sensitized solar cell

Elemental technologies for efficient dye-sensitized solar cell

Forecasting development of elemental technologies and effect of R&D investments for polymer electrolyte fuel cells in Japan

A survey of fuel cell experts in Japan is used to estimate the time required to develop major elemental technologies required for stationary and automotive applications of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). The elemental technologies covered include electrolyte membranes, electrode catalysts, fuel reforming and hydrogen storage, to be applied in next-generation PEFC systems whose operating temperature is 120°C or higher. The survey also asks experts to gauge the effect of R&D investment on the time required to develop a technology. Results are analyzed statistically to quantitatively compare success probabilities, time periods and the potential for R&D investment to reduce development time. The estimated net time period needed to reach performance and cost targets for both stationary and automotive PEFC systems averaged around 17 years. In general, the technology for electrolyte membranes is likely to be the most time consuming for R&D, thus accelerating its progress is effective for shortening the total R&D period.

First Prototype of High-Density Ferroelectric Data Storage System

ABSTRACTThe first prototype of high-density ferroelectric data storage system based on scanning nonlinear dielectric microscopy was developed in order to establish basic elemental technologies for actual read/write functions aiming for practical application. Using this system, a data transfer rate was evaluated. 9 kbps reading and 50 kbps writing were demonstrated with respect to 440 kbit/inch bit data array written on a lithium tantalate single crystal thin plate. Additionally, we considered future prospects for developing the data storage system with further fast data transfer rate.

架橋ＰＴＦＥおよびその応用製品

Previously, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was believed to be a typical polymer decomposed by ionizing radiation. However, it was found that, when PTFE is heated to a high temperature near its melting point and subjected to ionizing radiation under an inert gas atmosphere, across-linking reaction occurs between its atoms. Technology based on this discovery was developed in Japan. The cross-linking technology and its characteristics were examined. We found that cross-linked PTFE drastically improves abrasion resistance and creep resistance. We established the elemental technology based on cross-linking.At present, we have developed a wide selection of basic materials according for various uses and furthured the development of applied products.

A Basic Concept of Novel Hybrid Opto-Elctronic Integrated Systems with Textile Structures

AbstractAccording to the situation recognition of a basic limit of electronics expansion in silicon planar technology, one proposal based on a new technology completely different from planar structure is done here. The new concept of the technology is “textile structure” for integrated optoelectronic circuit. The background of the new concept is shown from some historical view point. The concept is also discussed as an opto-electronic united circuit and a “Clothes” level system from application-view point. Characteristics and elemental technology of the textile hybrid system are considered for future development of this concept. Several concrete compositions and characteristics of the proposed system are compared with those of present technology to construct a new electronics system. This proposal is also discussed in flexible electronics concept.

Blind estimation of modulation schemes according to noise powers in the presence of carrier frequency offset

AbstractA method for identifying modulation schemes is a vital elemental technology of adaptive software‐defined radio that switches its software in response to the environment and the application objective. The problems faced in conventional modulation scheme estimation are synchronization and robustness in a fading environment. In this paper, we address the problem of the degradation in the accuracy of modulation scheme estimation due to the presence of carrier offsets and the fluctuations in the carrier‐to‐noise power ratio (CNR). The former is addressed by implementing offset cancellation that uses the temporal phase difference information in one symbol. The latter is addressed by using the estimates found by a blind noise power estimation algorithm to implement modulation scheme estimation that exhibits excellent estimation accuracy even with a fluctuating CNR. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 85(12): 76–88, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10001

Actinide recycling by pyro-process with metal fuel FBR for future nuclear fuel cycle system

Pyro-metallurgical technology is one of potential devices for future nuclear fuel cycle. Not only economic advantage but also environmental safety and strong resistance for proliferation are required for the fuel cycle. In order to satisfy the requirement, actinides recycling applicable to LWR and FBR cycles by pyro-process has been developed since more than ten years in CRIEPI. The main technology is electrorefining for U and Pu separation and reductive-extraction for TRU separation, which can be applied on oxide fuels through reduction process as well as metal fuels. The application of this technology on separation of TRU in HLLW through chlorination could contribute to the improvement of public acceptance on the geologic disposal. The main achievements are summarized as follows: • -|The elemental technologies, such as electrorefining, reductive extraction, injection casting and salt waste treatment and solidification, have been developed successfully with lots of experiments • -|The fuel dissolution into molten salt and uranium recovery on solid cathode for electrorefining have been demonstrated by engineering scale facility in Argonne National Laboratory by using spent fuels and in CRIEPI by uranium tests. • -|Single element tests, using actinides, showed the Li reduction to be technically feasible, remaining the subjects of technical feasibility on multi-elements system and on effective recycle of Li by electrolysis of Li 2O. • -|Concerning on the treatment of HLLW for actinide separation, the conversion to chlorides through oxides has been also established through uranium tests. • -|It is confirmed that more than 99% of TRU nuclides can be recovered from the high level liquid waste by TRU tests • -|Through these studies, the process flow sheets for reprocessing of metal and oxide fuels and for partitioning of TRU separation have been established. The subjects to be emphasized for further development are classified into three categories, that is, process development (demonstration), technology for engineering development, and supplemental technology. The metal fuel FBR has a high potential for recycling actinides by integration with pyro-reprocessing. Alloys of U-Pu-Zr with minor actinides are investigated from points of fuel properties. The miscibility and other characteristics suggest that the maximum content up to ca. 5 wt% of minor actinides is allowable in the matrix. Nine pins of metal fuel including minor actinides are ready for irradiation at Phenix fast reactor.