At this site technical articles published at the YOKOGAWA technical report are introduced.
Technical Report
Expectations for Technological Innovation to Realize Decarbonization Measures
- Kenji Tanaka*1
*1Associate Professor, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
- Shumpei Ito*1
*1 Planning and Administration Department, Innovation Center, Marketing Headquarters
A method is developed for estimating the deposit thickness inside pipes from measurements of the external pipe surface temperature. When the temperature of fluid flowing inside the pipe is higher than the external ambient temperature and deposits form inside the pipe, the pipe surface temperature decreases. The reason for this is that the deposit disturbs heat transfer from the pipe inner fluid to the pipe surface. Accordingly, the deposit thickness can be estimated by measuring the pipe surface temperature and solving the heat equation for heat transfer from the pipe inner fluid to the external ambient fluid. In addition, we develop an algorithm for estimating the deposit shape and thickness from multi-point pipe surface temperature measurements. Two demonstration experiments for the algorithm are presented. In the first experiment, the shape and thickness of simulated deposits with multiple types of shapes are estimated by temperature measurements. In the second experiment, a wax deposit is generated in the test pipe. Then, the wax thickness is estimated from the temperature measurements.
Development of a Compact Coreless Current Sensor for Large Electric Currents and AC/DC Measurements
- Kazuma Takenaka*1
- Minako Terao*1
- Naoki Noguchi*1
- Kotaro Ogawa*2
*1 Sensing R&D Department, Innovation Center, Marketing Headquarters
*2 DX Design Department, Innovation Center, Marketing Headquarters
We have been developing a compact coreless current sensor for measuring large electric currents in 1000 A range and at frequencies from DC to a few megahertz by clamping a conductor placed in a narrow space. While the lack of a magnetic core enables a significant size reduction, there are two main problems—the positional dependency of the magnetic field from the electric conductor and background noise from the external environment and neighboring electric currents. To compensate for the functions of a magnetic core, Yokogawa has developed an algorithm to estimate the position of the conductor and a magnetic shield to cancel the background magnetic field. This paper gives an overview of the technologies and experimental results.
- Yoshihiro Kumagai*1
- Shinichiro Tezuka*1
- Satoshi Matsuura*1
*1 Sensing Research & Development Department, Innovation Center, Marketing Headquarters
Silica-glass optical fiber is attracting attention as a high-temperature sensor because of its high melting point (1,000°C or above). With optical fibers used as distributed temperature sensors (DTSs), Raman optical time domain reflectometry (ROTDR) employing the temperature dependence of Raman scattering intensity has already been put into practical use. However, it is difficult for ROTDR based on measurement of Raman scattering intensity ratio to accurately measure temperatures above 300°C for a long period of time due to several issues, such as the attenuation of optical fibers at high temperatures. A different type of DTS employing Brillouin scattering can determine temperature based on the frequency difference between incident and Brillouin scattered light and is less susceptible to attenuation, making this approach promising for measuring temperatures above 300°C. In this paper, we describe high-temperature measurement technology with distributed optical fiber sensors employing Brillouin scattering and introduce our efforts to determine the feasibility of this technology for practical use.
- Yuko Hirakawa*1
- Chika Maemura*1
- Tomoyuki Taguchi*1
*1 Life Research & Development Department, Innovation Center, Marketing Headquarters
Microbiological testing of food, beverages, and pharmaceutical products is generally performed using the culture method. However, the culture method has problems in terms of testing time, techniques, and methodology, so technological innovation is desired. We have developed DNA microarrays based on the signaling probe method as a fundamental technology aimed at realizing a rapid and simple microbiological testing system. In this paper, we introduce new technologies for DNA extraction and amplification processes aimed at improving the performance of the testing system and demonstrate the use of DNA microarrays categorize contaminating bacteria. Rapid microbiological testing enables quick feedback of test results, which is expected to positively impact other aspects of clinical practice. In addition, the simplification of testing processes and operations is expected to lead to the widespread use of rapid testing methods for microorganisms that do not require specialized expertise and techniques.
Yokogawa’s Efforts to Contribute to the Realization of a Carbon-Free Society
- Yuki Onodera*1
- Hitomi Ueda*1
- Takahito Yamashita*1
- Toyohiro Jinno*1
- Inwoo Jang*1
- Hironori Hayashizaki*2
*1 Yokogawa Solution Service Corporation Energy Storage & Renewable Energy Solution Department, Consulting Center, Solutions Business Headquarters
*2 Yokogawa Electric Corporation DX Design Department, Innovation Center, Marketing Headquarters
With the increasing importance of climate change issues, interest is growing in decarbonized management, environmental accounting, and ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) investment as a means to realize a decarbonized society, and companies are required to calculate and reduce CO2 emissions across their entire supply chain. Movement is accelerating to require disclosure and set reduction targets for CO2 emissions from corporate activities, to actively introduce renewable energy, and to achieve “RE100” status, meaning that 100% of power consumption comes from renewable energy. This paper introduces societal changes related to decarbonization, examples of Yokogawa’s proposals for decarbonization at various levels, including at the municipal and factory levels, and Yokogawa’s efforts to track the ratio of renewable energy in semiconductor production at its factories using blockchain technology.
Introducing of Renewable Energy and Battery Energy Storage for the Realization of Carbon Neutrality
- Takamasa Tojo*1
- Tatsuya Uemoto*1
- Kana Torigoe*1
- Yui Ishikawa*1
- Kazuki Ootsu*1
- Takeshi Matsushita*1
*1 Yokogawa Solution Service Corporation Energy Storage & Renewable Energy Solution Department, Consulting Center, Solutions Business Headquarters
Battery storage is attracting attention as the most important technology for realizing carbon neutrality by 2050. In addition, battery storage has become indispensable as a means of stabilizing the power grid against fluctuations in renewable power generation and electricity demand. Furthermore, battery storage systems have become an important technology used in combination with renewable energy power sources in energy management aimed at increasing the value of companies and products. Against this background, we propose the use of battery storage systems in energy management. In partnership with a battery storage system manufacturer, we are promoting activities aimed at improving the value of battery storage. In this paper, we introduce solutions that we have proposed for these activities and examples of activities to improve the value provided to our client companies.
On-site AI Solution “Equipment/ Quality Easy Predictive Detection”
- Jun Tsuzuki*1
- Yoshihiro Imamura*2
- Yuya Katayama*1
- Masanori Sakagami*1
*1 Product Planning Department 3rd Section 1st Group, Edge Solution Management Division, Control Center, Yokogawa Product Headquarters
*2 Product Planning Department 3rd Section, Edge Solution Management Division, Control Center, Yokogawa Product Headquarters
Yokogawa provides solutions to various customer issues at plants by applying artificial intelligence (AI). Utilizing this technology and experience, Yokogawa simultaneously released three AI products that run on hardware in 2020: GX/GP Future Pen, GA10 Anomaly Detection, and e-RT3 Plus Supports Python. In response to further customer requests, Yokogawa developed a health monitoring function that can quantify the degree of equipment deterioration and product quality deterioration as a health score after completion of a batch process on the equipment. Meanwhile, there was also a need for real-time anomaly detection in fluctuating process values, so Yokogawa developed a profile function in response. This paper describes these functions, gives an overview of “Equipment/Quality Easy Predictive Detection”, and presents test results of applying the AI algorithm to customer data. Future prospects are also discussed.
New Products