A positive outlook toward nuclear power plants and a higher level of technologies for using radiation in the medical field are trends that are spreading throughout the world, and as a consequence, demand is increasing for equipment and systems that measure and control radiation. Equipment ranging from radiation detection and measurement devices to computer-based radiation management systems will be set up in overseas. Products that depend on overseas specifications based on IEC and other international standards are being developed. Fuji Electric is advancing the overseas deployment of radiation monitoring systems by adopting measures that will ensure the reliability and traceability of radiation equipment.

A real-time personal dose monitoring system for controlling workers' exposure to radiation when working within a controlled area has been developed. This system consists of an EPD (electronic personal dosemeter), a dedicated radio attachment, a relay station and a monitoring device. EPD information is transmitted to the relay station using a specified low power radio and to the monitoring device via a personal handy-phone system (PHS) or LAN. This paper describes details of an EPD that uses a dedicated radio attachment and personal dose monitoring system.

Fuji Electric advanced the development of the conventional alarm personal dosemeter (APD) by adopting JIS Z 4312 (2002), which reflects IEC61526 (1998), and by improving the radiation performance characteristics, electromagnetic performance characteristics and mechanical performance characteristics of the APD (acquiring a CE marking). This new dosemeter will target overseas market in the future. The APD is a suitable dosemeter for detecting and monitoring radiation exposure to personnel working in the controlled areas of nuclear facilities, such as nuclear power stations. The APD product line includes "gamma ray", "gamma ray + beta ray" and "gamma ray + neutron" models.

In order to prevent radioactive materials from spreading contamination from nuclear power plants outside the radiation control area, the surface contamination of all material transferred outside from the control area is monitored. This paper presents an overview and describes features of: (1) personnel surface contamination monitoring assemblies for measuring the surface contamination on workers, (2) article surface contamination monitoring assemblies for measuring the surface contamination on articles, (3) laundry monitors for measuring the surface contamination on worker clothes worn inside the control area, and (4) hand-foot-clothing contamination monitors for measuring the surface contamination on hands, feet and clothing.

Environmental radiation monitoring systems are used to measure and monitor gamma-rays at the observation boundaries of nuclear facilities and in the surrounding areas. In recent years, however, few new nuclear facilities have been constructed and the monitoring systems shift to renewal of existing systems. In addition, in order to increase public acceptance, the facilities are being equipped with communication lines to provide data to prefectural environmental centers. In this text, we introduce the latest technology incorporated in replacement of environmental radiation monitoring systems. We also introduce a replacement method that can shorten the duration during which environmental dose rate measurement is interrupted by enabling both the replacement system and the system being replaced to perform measurements in parallel immediately before and after the replacement.

A radiation monitoring system is required to protect workers and neighboring residents from exposure to radiation at nuclear plants. A radiation monitoring system operates continuously to monitor the radiation conditions in plants and the radioactivity in waste gases and liquids exhausted from plants. Such a system is extremely important for protecting people. Fuji Electric supplies a sophisticated and highly reliable radiation monitoring system for nuclear plants, whereby radiation detectors, provided with specific functionality for measuring, are distributed at various locations throughout a site, and data is transmitted via an Ethernet to a control room.

Fuji Electric has undertaken the design and manufacture of radiation calibrating equipment used for maintaining and managing radiation measurement equipment. In addition to performing tasks for automated calibration, i.e., controlling the operation of the calibration equipment itself, collecting calibration data for the device to be calibrated and recording the calibration results, radiation calibrating equipment is also equipped with support functions for performing such administrative tasks as storing the calibration records and controlling the usage and history of calibration-use radiation sources in order to make calibration tasks less labor-intensive and more efficient. This paper introduces Fuji Electric's latest calibration equipment.

This paper presents an overview of typical portable radiation monitors and introduces Fuji Electric's latest models. The overview describes the types, uses and performance of ion chamber survey meters, GM survey meters and neutron ambient dose equivalent rate meters. Fuji Electric's new models of a wide-energy-range X/gamma ray survey meter which measures low energy X-rays up to 8keV, a battery-powered environmental dosemeter system which measures dose history and is capable of continuous measurement with batteries over a year, and a portable monitoring post which measures dose rates from background to 10⁸nGy/h and transmits data by cellular phone are introduced, and their specifications and performance are described.

Fuji Electric has developed a pipe wall thinning detection device, which operates based on radiation gauge technology, for use in nuclear power plants and thermoelectric power plants. The radiation from the pipe wall thinning detection device, which can be used even during the plant operation, can penetrate heat insulation material. The device consists of detector and radiation source, and can detect the thickness of pipes (less than 500mm in external diameter and less than 50mm in thickness) with 2% reproducibility (with a measurement time of several minutes), based on the attenuation rate. Operation is easy and efficient since there is no need to remove the heat insulation and it is easy to mount the device, thus enabling more effective detection.

Fuji Electric's retail system division engages in the business of automatic equipment for retailing services, and provides facilities, equipment and systems for retail shops. In addition to automated vending machines and food service equipment, currency-handling machines are also provided in order to support the need for automated account settlement and more efficient currency transactions for automated equipment. In the area of retail shop facilities and equipment, Fuji Electric builds on a core set of refrigeration and freezer display case products for supermarket and convenience stores to provide comprehensive planning, design and implementation services. The market trends and status of Fuji Electric's efforts in the retail system field are described.

With the increasing awareness of such environmental problems as ozone layer depletion and global warming, the usage of Freon gas, a substance contributing to these problems, is being restricted and the development of non-Freon-compliant technology for automated vending machines is being advanced quickly. Fuji Electric has already realized the mass-production of non-Freon automated vending machines leading for other industrial refrigerator. This paper presents an overview of can and bottle beverage vending machines that use the natural coolant of CO₂ .

The market for automated vending machines is said to be saturated, but Fuji Electric, the leading manufacturer, is advancing its product planning and development efforts with the motto "social contribution" as a key to expanding this market. The benefits to consumers and society from such automated vending machine concepts as "vending machines for all", "vending machines useful at times of emergencies or disasters" and "vending machines that help prevent global warming" are described with examples from Fuji Electric's planning and development efforts. We anticipate that the results will secure new sites for vending machine installation and will create new customers.

Recently, in the supermarket and convenience store industry, the promotion of energy conservation has become an important issue, both to reduce initial costs and running costs so as to improve profits, and to help moderate environmental problems. This paper discusses the development concepts and product structure, and presents an overview and describes the features and field verification results of Fuji Electric's energy-saving control systems "ECOMAX V" and "ECOMAX Net II".

As awareness of the global environment increases due to various social circumstances, one method given as a way to help prevent global warming is the effective utilization of low temperature exhaust heat. Additionally, in the field of food distribution, i.e., supermarkets and the like, the realization of a comfortable commercial space inside stores is required. Responding to these needs, Fuji Electric has developed a heat-pump type desiccant air conditioning system that enables an improved in-store environment and energy saving, and is eco-friendly.

In order to achieve energy savings and a greater degree of freshness in the showcase, Fuji Electric has developed a showcase that is equipped with an electronic expansion valve. A blow-out temperature control system changes the valve opening according to the blow-out temperature of the showcase, enabling control of the coolant flow. Furthermore, the low-pressure control of the refrigerator enables continuous operation of the refrigeration machine at a low frequency. As a result, the fluctuation in blow-out temperature is reduced by 10%, and an annual energy savings of 19% is attained compared to the present thermostatic expansion valve showcase (ECOMAX V).

Under the circumstances of society's heightened awareness of environmental issues, Fuji Electric has developed the "Ecolo Unit" and "R-CUBE" modular store panels that are responsive to environmental concerns. These modular products are eco-friendly and have quickly and precisely responded to customer needs. The modularizing of a store shortens the construction process and enables the construction to be suited to the site. Also, pre-manufacturing at the factory enables a reduction in CO₂ emissions and waste materials. Presently, sales are increasing mainly for retail stores, but a further expansion of sales is desired and future marketing efforts will target kitchen installations in the food and beverage industry.

This paper presents an overview of Fuji Electric products that have adopted the latest technology for automatic settlement equipment and systems in the retail market. The functions, features and Fuji Electric's future plans for a wide range of automated settlement equipment, ranging from an automated coin discerning machine and bill validator to an automated change machine and electronic money terminal, are discussed.