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FUJI ELECTRIC JOURNAL 2003 Vol.76-No.9
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1. Information, Measurement Equipment and Control Systems 2. Hydropower Plants |
Present Status and Future Prospects of Information, Measurement Equipment and Control Systems
Yoshitake Matsuura, Junichi Kuroe, Tadanori Yuhara
In order to survive in a harsh operating environment, there is need for a production mechanism able to respond flexibly and quickly to changing market conditions. Such a mechanism requires a system that is vertically integrated, from the management layer to production site, and a horizontally integrated system for aggregating information essential for decision-making. Fuji Electric is promoting the support of these systems by developing open control systems, applying MES (manufacturing execution system) technology, adding intelligence to field devices, etc. This article presents of overview of the trends and Fuji Electric's efforts in the fields of information, control systems and measurement equipment.
Information Control Systems for Food Plants
Toshiaki Suganuma, Takashi Tsuda, Naoki Azumaya
In the food industry, there is demand for HACCP- (hazard analysis critical control point) compliant production systems in order to realize greater efficiency of production facilities, stable operation and the manufacture of safe food products. Moreover, MES (manufacturing execution system) techniques have become important as information systems for achieving the system-wide optimization of procurement, production, distribution and sales processes. Leveraging its experience in such fields as sensor technology, distributed control systems, programmable controllers and computers, Fuji Electric is supplying many of these information and control systems. This paper presents an overview of Fuji Electric's information and control systems for the food industry and describes the company's efforts in this field.
Development of Web-based Delivery Planning System
Yasuhiro Fukushima, Hirofumi Sato, Kenya Murakami
Fuji Electric has developed a Web-based delivery planning system. This system features a delivery planning function that automatically calculates the optimal route from a distribution depot to multiple delivery destinations and a mapping function that visually displays the depot and destination locations as well as the planned routes. Moreover, this Web-based system enables user access with standard browsing software from anywhere on the network. This system can be used as an ASP (application service provider) service. These features and the basic functions with the planning engine that have been incorporated into this Web-based delivery planning system are described in this article.
New Business Aspects of Facilities for Airport Environment Protection and Harbor Security Enhancement
Yoshinori, Inoue Akiko Konno
As the hubs for human travel and as strategic international logistical bases, airport and harbor facilities are undergoing a transformation in response to the advancing globalization of economic and social activities in recent years. This paper discusses the background of airport and harbor facilities, essential considerations and systems for these facilities. For airports, an environment information control system is introduced that supports the realization of an "Eco-Airport," which has the common objective of establishing a symbiotic relationship with the environment. For harbors, a harbor facility security system is presented based on the need for facilities protection planning and safety countermeasures in accordance with the December 2002 revision of the SOLAS (safety of life at sea) treaty.
Hybrid Control System "Jupiter"
Minoru Yoshino, Kouji Ishino, Toshiyuki Nishiwaki
The Jupiter hybrid control system brings together the fields of factory automation (FA), process automation (PA) and information management. Jupiter provides strong redundant functionality
at the same
level as a custom distributed control system (DSC) even when
using the hardware elements of a general-purpose programmable controller
(PLC) to the maximum extent. Its advanced software inherits
the functionality, performance and engineering environment of a custom
DCS. As in the past, Jupiter can be used in FA applications as a
highly reliable general-purpose PLC. For PA applications, Jupiter can
be installed as if it were a custom DCS.
Boiler Control System for Thermal Power Plants
Yasuo Inamura
Improvements in the functionality and performance of thermal power control equipment have been remarkable. These improvements include larger capacity, higher speed, better reliability, and the use of open architecture and open standards networks. This paper describes a boiler control system for thermal power plants, and focuses on the following three topics.
(1) Configuration and characteristics of thermal power plant control systems
(2) Added value that can be provided from the configuration and low cost of industry-owned thermal power plant control systems
(3) Engineering tools for developing high-quality software for thermal power plant-use to increase design and test efficiency
Control and Supervisory System for the Takamatsu LNG Receiving Terminal
Keiichi Nakayama, Akihito Mitsui, Masuyuki Kobayashi
This paper introduces the control and supervisory system of the Takamatsu LNG receiving terminal. This newest and most advanced control and supervisory system provides a function for distribution by truck to city gas production sites and neighboring satellite terminals. Well suited for a public facility, this system was designed with redundancy to ensure continuous operation and to prevent the occurrence of a system shutdown. Moreover, the Heart Series of innovative engineering tools were utilized to enhance both engineering efficiency and product quality. An online monitor function and a control function manual provide the operator with a user-friendly interface.
Technique for Upgrading the MICREX-PII Without Affecting the Production Plan
Hirokazu Sato, Hideki Sakamoto
When upgrading the MICREX-PII and replacing old control equipment with new, the upgrade is performed using an outside line connector plug-in method, without a switchboard. At the time of an upgrade, it had been necessary to shutdown the equipment for a period of 1 to 2 months depending on the scale of the equipment. However, by utilizing a method in which external line connectors are replaced with new ones and operation is verified at each occasion of regular scheduled maintenance, the update can be carried out with several short-term periods of regular maintenance. This update method and it features are described.
PXR Series of Temperature Controllers
Nobukazu Hagioka
The PXR Series of temperature controllers, having the three distinguishing features of large display, compact size and multi-functionality, is introduced. The PXR product series are technically fascinating and are equipped with self-tuning control as part of their multi-functionality. In addition to describing the self-tuning operation and examples of fuzzy control, this paper also describes two protocol communications functions, an analog transfer function, a simplified program control function, an alarm function, a water-resistant function and a wide variety of other peripheral functions, and presents several example applications including a temperature monitoring system.
Industrial-use Single-beam NDIR Gas Analyzer and its Applications
Yusuke Nakamura, Kozo Akao
As a successor to the simultaneous measurement of 2 components (carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide) for which Fuji Electric has a proven track record, an industrial-use single-beam NDIR gas analyzer that enables the simultaneous measurement of 4 components (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and oxygen) has been developed. In addition to prior successful applications such as measurement of the gas concentration in a furnace for heat-treating metals, this gas analyzer is also suitable for new uses such as monitoring the concentration of fuel gas during the generation of electric power from biogas and for fuel cell-use. This paper introduces the features and applications of this industrial-use single-beam NDIR gas analyzer.
Optical Water Level Transmitter for Sewer Systems and the Expanded Use of Fiber Optic Instrumentation Systems
Etsuro Ito
As one countermeasure to prevent the accumulation of rainwater in urban areas, an optical fiber-type water level measurement system that does not require an external power supply was developed for the purpose of measuring the water level in a sewer system. Single-mode fiber already laid the sewerage system can be used with this system, and to efficiently utilize the optical fiber, multipoint measurement can be implemented as multi-drop connections and transponders can be installed in manholes. Fiber optic field instrumentation systems (FFIs) have been upgraded, their battery life has been increased from 2 to 4 years and other improvements have been made. The range of applications for FFIs is expanding, and new uses include installations in onsite indicators and in tank trucks.
Vertical Bulb Turbine-generator for the Kaminojiri No.2 Plant
Masahiro Takahashi
The Kaminojiri No. 2 plant was constructed based on the results of joint research by Fuji Electric and Tohoku Electric Power Co. in the field of vertical bulb turbine-generators. At the Kaminojiri No.2 plant, a conventional horizontal bulb turbine-generator was installed vertically and used as a vertical bulb turbine-generator, making this power plant unique throughout the world. Because the vertical bulb turbine-generator has a small footprint, geographical features of the site do not restrict its installation and this leads to lower construction costs. Moreover, maintenance inspections are simplified due to the utilization of new technology. This paper presents an overview of power plants and describes features of the vertical bulb turbine-generator.
Generating Equipment for China's Tai'an Pumped Storage Power Station
Takashi Tozaki, Hirofumi Etoh, Hideki Kobayashi
There has been a sharp increase in the demand for electric power in China in recent years accompanying the rapid growth in the Chinese economy. Based on these circumstances, power development activity in the field of hydropower energy has been promoted to a great degree and the Three Gorges Dam, for example, and many large capacity pumped storage power plants are being planned and constructed. This paper presents a project overview of the Tai'an Pumped Storage Plant (250 MW
4 units),
for which an order was received in November
2002 and construction work is underway in Tai'an City, Shandong
Province, China. Pumped storage equipment, specifically the generator-
motor and electrical equipment, are also described.
Renewal Technologies for the Francis Turbine Runner
Tadashi Tsukamoto, Masahiro Inagaki
Increasing the efficiency of existing hydroelectric power plants is one method for effectively utilizing energy to boost the generation of electrical power without impacting the environment. The efficiency of hydraulic turbines has improved year-to-year as the runner shape has been optimized, and advances in 3-dimensional flow analysis techniques have led to dramatic improvements. This paper describes an example application of the latest runner, which was designed using 3- dimensional flow analysis. On-site efficiency testing was implemented and is compared to the analysis results.
Hybrid Servo System
Hiromu Hayama, Kenji Okuma, Yoshio Isono
In the field of hydropower governors, a new type of electricallyoperator servomotor (hybrid servo) was developed and is designed to compensate for the drawbacks of existing electric servomotors while maintaining the advantages of an electric servomotor solution over an oil pressure system. This paper presents an overview of the hybrid servo, including the history of servomotor development up until the hybrid servo, its features, mechanical equipment, electrical equipment and backup system.
Development of Broadband Micro-hydraulic Turbine
Tadashi Tsukamoto, Kengo Izutsu
Hydroelectric power generation is one form of energy targeted by the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS), and plans are advancing to install hydraulic turbines at many locations. Economic viability is a crucial factor in determining whether the installation of these types of micro-hydraulic turbines will become widespread. Therefore, rather than focus on cost cutting measures that lead to lower performance and functionality, hydraulic turbine development instead must boost the economic efficiency, which also includes increasing the amount of annual power production. This paper reports on Fuji Electric's development of a broadband micro-tubular turbine that is compatible with varying heads and flow rates.
Present Status and Future Prospects of Small-scale Hydropower Plants
Masakazu Itakura, Masayuki Satoh, Shoichi Yamato
As concern has heightened over environmental problems in recent years, it has become very difficult to develop hydroelectric power plants that involve dam construction. On the other hand, environmentally friendly forms of hydropower are now held in high esteem since they help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Small dam-less hydropower plants will attract increasing attention, and will be constructed throughout the world in the future. This paper analyzes and discusses problems in conventional small-scale hydropower plants, as well as current conditions and future problems of small-scale hydropower plants focusing on RPS, which was implemented this year, and CDM, a pillar of the Kyoto mechanism.
