月: 2023年4月

What Are Rainwater Infiltration Facilities?

Rainwater infiltration facilities are designed to enable rainwater to percolate into the soil or underground. With guerrilla rains and linear precipitation zones causing rapid water flow into sewers and rivers, these facilities have become crucial in preventing floods and inundations. By promoting underground infiltration of rainwater, they also contribute to groundwater nurturing, especially in urbanized areas where farmland and wooded regions are diminishing.

Uses of Rainwater Infiltration Facilities

These facilities are utilized for allowing rainwater to infiltrate the ground, aiding in flood prevention and groundwater recharge. They are installed in various locations, including buildings, residences, schools, and city halls. In some regions, municipalities subsidize the installation of these facilities to mitigate flooding. Often inconspicuous, resembling manhole covers, they are typically buried underground.

Types of Rainwater Infiltration Facilities

There are various types of rainwater infiltration facilities, often used in combination:

1. Infiltration Basins

Infiltration basins connect gutters to cisterns that temporarily store rainwater and allow it to percolate into the soil through holes in their sides and bottom. These cisterns, made of materials like concrete, polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride, are surrounded by crushed stone to facilitate percolation. Sometimes, a permeable sheet surrounds the crushed stone for enhanced effectiveness.

Eligibility for municipal subsidies may depend on specific conditions, such as the diameter of the infiltration trench.

2. Infiltration Trench

Infiltration trenches, connected to rain gutters, are horizontally embedded pipes with holes to allow rainwater infiltration. Enhanced by connecting to infiltration troughs, these trenches are also surrounded by crushed stone and sometimes covered with permeable sheeting. Vertical arrangements, known as stick filters, are also used to allow deeper soil penetration.

3. Infiltration Gutters

Infiltration gutters are designed with fine holes for rainwater percolation. Surrounded by crushed stone and occasionally permeable sheets, porous concrete gutters are used for their reduced clogging risk.

4. Permeable Pavement

Unlike regular asphalt pavement, permeable pavement allows rainwater to seep through. Its composition includes increased coarse aggregate and varied particle sizes to create gaps for water permeation. Drainage pavement is sometimes combined with regular asphalt to balance permeability with strength.

Inspecting Rainwater Infiltration Facilities

Regular maintenance is essential for these facilities to remain effective. High-pressure washers are used to clear sediment, leaves, and debris, preventing filter clogging. Weeds must also be managed to ensure unobstructed water flow. The performance of channels, trenches, and ditches can deteriorate if clogged with debris like fallen leaves or mud.

In permeable pavement, obstacles like discarded cigarettes or gum need removal, often requiring specific tools. Post-washing, the pavement is brushed to eliminate residual dirt.

What Is an Emergency Toilet?

Emergency toilets are facilities designed for use during disaster situations and are typically housed in shelters. While food, drink, and sleep are often considered primary needs for disaster victims, access to toilets is actually a high priority.

The average adult produces about 1 to 1.5 liters of waste per day. During disasters, it is crucial to have facilities that accommodate this physiological need.

Toilet Facts in Times of Disaster

1. Flushing Toilets Are Not Available

In disasters, especially earthquakes, many flushing toilets become inoperable due to water cutoffs, power outages, and damage to sewage systems and septic tanks. Continued use without proper facilities can lead to overflowing and breed infectious diseases.

2. Temporary Toilets Do Not Arrive Quickly

Disruptions in transportation, such as road closures caused by disasters, can delay the delivery of temporary toilets. Despite assumptions, these facilities do not always arrive immediately.

3. Reluctance to Use Toilets

Uncomfortable or inconvenient toilet environments may discourage use, leading to reduced eating and drinking. This can result in dehydration, exacerbation of chronic diseases, and even life-threatening conditions like economy class syndrome, cerebral infarction, or myocardial infarction, contributing to disaster-related deaths. Improving toilet facilities is crucial in preventing these secondary damages.

Disaster-related deaths are said to be three times more common than direct damages from disasters, highlighting the importance of toilet facilities in saving lives.

Scale of Disaster and Emergency Toilets

Categories of Emergency Toilets

Emergency toilets generally fall into three categories:

1. Portable toilets: Attach a toilet bag to an existing toilet bowl for use.

2. Simple toilets: Include a basic toilet bowl and toilet bag.

3. Temporary toilets: Complete toilets used at construction sites and event venues, including assembled options.

4. Manhole toilets: Utilize manholes for toilet purposes.

Features of Various Disaster Toilets

1. Portable and Simple Toilets
These types can be immediately used if pre-stocked. Toilet bags are disposable as combustible garbage, but disaster conditions may affect waste collection and storage. Over time, the accumulation of used bags can become a significant issue, and outdoor use may require private enclosures.

2. Temporary Toilets
There are complete and assembled types. Complete types, common at construction sites, are not ideal for stockpiling due to transportation challenges. Assembled types are more suitable for disasters, but practical issues have been reported, such as assembly difficulty and storage-related deterioration.

3. Manhole Toilets
Manhole toilets provide an environment similar to regular toilets during disasters. However, they require an enclosure (e.g., a tent) and preparation time to confirm sewerage facility integrity. Additional considerations include securing an alternative water source and maintenance costs post-disaster recovery.

What Is a Digital Reception System?

Digital reception systems are digital solutions designed to streamline the visitor management process. These systems, installed at reception desks, enable visitors to contact the person in charge via chat, email, apps, or telephone from a terminal.

Additionally, digital reception systems automate visitor logging, traditionally done on paper, thereby eliminating inefficiencies at the reception desk. With the rise of efforts to combat infectious diseases, an increasing number of companies, from large corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises, are adopting these systems to go unmanned in reception areas and improve operational efficiency.

Uses of Digital Reception Systems

Digital reception systems automate various receptionist tasks, such as handling visitors and managing calls. There is a range of systems available, from basic digital reception functionalities to more comprehensive systems integrated with meeting room management, reservation functions, and scheduling tools. The choice of system depends on the specific needs of the reception area.

Features of Digital Reception Systems

These systems are designed to streamline visitor reception. Integrating with business chat, email, and applications, they can significantly reduce the time spent on phone calls, making them ideal for companies aiming to cut labor costs and boost operational efficiency.

1. Receptionist Function

By using touch panels to transfer calls to business chat, telephone, or email, or by issuing entrance passes, reception workload is reduced. This also reduces the need for multiple receptionists. The system enhances a company’s image as a digital transformation  promoter by reducing internal phone calls and sending notifications through email or business chat.

2. QR Code Reception (Touchless Reception) Function

Visitors can check in by simply presenting a pre-issued, dedicated QR code at the reception desk. This touchless reception feature, which requires prior registration, is popular for its security and risk management benefits.

3. Visitor Record Function

This feature records visitors’ details, such as company name, name, visit purpose, arrival time, and duration, and outputs this data as a report. By automating and accurately recording this information, the need for paper visitor logs is eliminated. This function is also favored for its contributions to operational efficiency, security measures, and paperless operations, as it reduces the cost of managing visitor lists.

What Is a Misting System?

A misting system refers to the process of spraying a fine mist of water over an open or indoor space to cool the surrounding air by the heat of vaporization as it evaporates.

The cooling effect is a gentle, cool sensation with a decrease in ambient temperature of about 3 to 5°C.

Water mist can be made in several ways: by increasing pressure with a mist pump and spraying it from a nozzle; by using the pressure of the water supply to blow it out of a nozzle; and by using high-pressure air to make a fine mist.

A misting system is also used to create a simple misting system using a manual pump from a bottle, or using a high-pressure gas sealed in a bottle.

Uses of Misting Systems

Misting systems are used in a wide range of fields, from household use to commercial use.

For home use, many of them are simple devices that use water pressure to generate mist. They are connected to a water hose in a garden, etc., and are suitable for children’s water play and for preventing extreme heat in the garden.

They can also be installed under eaves or on balconies to reduce the cooling load on the house. Using a small amount of water, it is possible to prevent extreme heat without using electricity.

In addition, by installing misting systems on the outdoor unit of an air conditioner to reduce power consumption, it can contribute to energy conservation during times of power shortages.

For commercial use, it is expected to be effective in preventing heat stroke in outdoor spaces. It can be used at event venues, driving ranges, construction sites, station platforms, station waiting areas, bus stops, airport corridors, zoos, department store rooftops, urban sidewalks, and many other locations.

Misting systems can be used not only outdoors, but also in large indoor areas. It is used in spaces that generate heat, such as cleaning factories, linen supply plants, paint shops, sheet metal shops, and machine shops, as well as in large spaces such as bookbinding and printing plants, automobile plants, vehicle depots, and gymnasiums.

When cooling indoor spaces, in addition to the cool misting systems, a ventilation system is required to control the rise in humidity.

Principle of Misting System

The cool misting systems uses the heat of vaporization of water to lower the ambient temperature. The heat of vaporization of water is 584 kcal per gram of water, and a small amount of water can produce a large cooling effect.

The key is how to make water evaporate efficiently and quickly. One method used is to blow water out through a nozzle to form fine particles.

Nozzles are used in the one-fluid method, which uses high-pressure water, and the two-fluid method, which also uses air pressure. If a pump is used to raise the water pressure to 4 MPa or higher, the average particle size of the mist will be 20 to 30 microns. If compressed air from an air compressor is used, the average particle size will be less than 10 microns.

The smaller the mist particle size is, the less water droplets are felt when they hit the human body, and the faster the evaporation speed is, the greater the cooling effect.

Features of Misting Systemd

It can be used for cooling in summer to prevent heat stroke, and as a humidification device in winter when it is dry, all year round.

It has the feature that products and workers hardly get wet. By reducing the mist particle size to 15μ or smaller and using a ventilation fan, the humidity rise is controlled and wetting is prevented.

This equipment has low running costs. Only the mist pump and ventilation fan require electricity, making this cooling device much cheaper in terms of electricity and equipment costs compared to cooling devices.

The misting systems has deodorizing effect. Tests using isovaleric acid, which is a component of perspiration odor, show that the odor intensity decreases immediately after use, and the cool feeling is maintained for more than 30 minutes after use.

The combination of ethanol and antibacterial ingredients produces a high bactericidal effect. It is used in spray-type misting systems.

How to Use Misting Systems

When used in outdoor spaces, it is effective to place the air outlets so that they surround the space to be cooled.

Generally, the outlet should be placed at a height of 2.5 to 3 meters above the ground. For short periods of time, such as for events, portable mobile or stand-type misting systems are also available.

When used indoors, such as in a factory, it is important to provide good ventilation to reduce the rise in humidity. Because cool misting systems evaporate small amounts of water, they have the disadvantage of increasing humidity in enclosed spaces. Ventilating and expelling the water vapor will reduce indoor temperatures and provide a very economical solution to extreme heat.

When used in homes and offices, consideration should be given to avoiding prolonged use at maximum mist volume and to installing the equipment away from computers and other electronic devices. This is because the indoor humidity rises and condensation occurs, which may cause mold and equipment malfunction.

What Is a Galvo Laser?

Galvo lasers are a type of laser processing machine.

These machines, also known as laser cutters or laser engraving machines, can cut, engrave, and perform various other processes on materials by emitting laser beams. There are two main types: flatbed and galvano.

Uses of Galvo Lasers

Galvo lasers excel in cutting thin materials such as paper, film, and fabrics at high speeds, making them ideal for various industrial applications, including:

• Printing and paper industries.
• Paper containers and packaging.
• Flexible packaging and food packaging.
• Seals and labels.
• Apparel and textiles.
• Furniture, fittings, and building materials.

Principle of Galvo Lasers

Galvo lasers function by emitting a laser beam from a fixed head controlled by mirrors. Unlike flatbeds, where the head moves in the XY axis, galvo lasers have a more limited processing area and material thickness capacity but are faster in processing.

For processing a variety of materials or thicker items, flatbed lasers are more suitable. Galvo lasers are recommended for cutting and engraving thinner materials like paper, film, and fabrics.

The key components of galvo lasers are as follows.

1. Mirror

The mirror reflects the laser beam. Its size and coating depend on the laser’s specifications, affecting the required acceleration torque and current.

2. Scanner

The scanner, the primary driver for the mirror, controls its angle and position. The galvanometer scanner motor oscillates at a limited angle for precise control and durability, enabling rapid, high-torque movements.

3. Control Driver

The control driver manages the information from the mirror and scanner, controlling the mirror angle through the galvanometer scanner. It functions as the command center for the laser’s operation.

Materials That Can Be Processed With Galvo Lasers

Galvo lasers can process a diverse range of materials, including:

• Acrylic resin.
• Wood.
• Paper.
• Fabrics and fiber.
• Leather.
• Metals.
• Plastics and resin.
• Stone.

They are particularly effective for high-speed cutting of thin materials like paper, film, plastic, and resin, as well as wood boards, fabrics, fibers, and textiles. Additionally, they can perform surface engraving on a wide range of materials.

What Is a Temperature Monitoring System?

Temperature monitoring systems are employed in various fields, such as the storage of vaccines, investigational drugs, and pharmaceuticals that necessitate temperature monitoring and recording.

They are also used for chemicals like paints and adhesives, which may denature due to temperature changes, and in the manufacturing, processing, and selling of food products. These products require low-temperature storage to control bacterial growth and comply with HACCP mandates.

Temperature Monitoring in HACCP

Technological advancements have led to an increased implementation of temperature monitoring systems in diverse industries, especially in the food industry. This trend is accelerating with the upcoming mandatory adoption of HACCP in June 2021.

HACCP, an acronym for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, was developed by NASA in the 1960s for managing food production and preventing food poisoning among astronauts during the Apollo program. It’s now a method and guideline in the international food standard CODEX, jointly managed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

A critical component of HACCP is controlling the temperature of food products. This includes monitoring the temperatures of refrigerators and freezers, water in heat sterilization tanks, and chillers for rapid cooling. Directly recording and controlling the core temperature of food products is also essential.

Automatic Recording and Remote Monitoring of Temperature Monitoring

While a few single-product, mass-production plants employ machine-controlled processes, most food factories still rely on manual temperature monitoring through visual and handwritten records.

However, with the advent of IoT technologies like wireless communication and sensing, the development of IoT-based temperature monitoring systems is increasing. Previously, wired LAN-based systems were common, but their installation in 24/7 operating food factories posed challenges due to extensive wiring work and the need for waterproofing in environments with high water and steam usage.

Recent years have seen a rise in IoT sensor-based temperature monitoring and automatic recording systems. The growing labor shortages in manufacturing have also contributed to the adoption of these systems. Waterproof, wireless sensors offer easy retrofitting to existing facilities and adaptability to layout changes, unlike wired systems. Consequently, food businesses of all sizes are increasingly implementing these systems, keeping the HACCP mandate in mind.

Advantages of Remote Monitoring

Manual temperature checks and records limit continuous monitoring, making it challenging to ascertain accurate temperatures in refrigerators. Remote monitoring systems, operating 24/7/365, have revealed occasional temperature irregularities, sometimes following identifiable patterns, allowing for corrective actions.

Often, water temperature measurement in heat sterilization tanks and chillers is a critical control point (CCP) in HACCP. The ability to monitor these temperatures systematically, rather than visually, is significantly beneficial. Remote monitoring and real-time automatic recording of temperatures contribute to food safety and security, and corporate SDG activities, such as preventing food waste by detecting refrigeration failures early.

How to Choose Temperature Monitoring Systems

When selecting a temperature monitoring system, it’s crucial to consider whether it’s a wired or wireless system. Wired systems present installation challenges in existing facilities and may lack flexibility for expanding measurement points post-installation.

Wireless systems vary in features. It’s important to understand the type of wireless system being used. For instance, systems using WiFi may interfere with other devices and have high power consumption, leading to rapid battery drainage in temperature sensors, increasing maintenance costs and labor.

While IoT technology is evolving quickly, choosing inexpensive products can lead to issues like intermittent communication failures, hindering real-time monitoring. Selecting products and services that offer substantial operational support is crucial for medium- to long-term benefits, avoiding scenarios where installed systems are underutilized or ineffective due to communication issues.

Additionally, consider the maintenance services offered, as temperature sensors require periodic replacement, typically every three years.

What Is a Shielding Tube?

Shielding tubes cover wires collectively, cutting electromagnetic waves and protecting wires from external elements. Coated with aluminum foil, they prevent electromagnetic interference with sensitive equipment.

Uses of Shielding Tubes

Used in precision equipment, medical devices, robots, and office automation equipment, these tubes cut electromagnetic waves emitted from electric wires and protect them from dust.

They can be easily cut and bundled, offering a tool-free implementation of EMC countermeasures. Grounding is essential for effective noise suppression.

Principle of Shielding Tubes

Made of PVC and aluminum foil, shielding tubes reflect and attenuate electromagnetic waves. Thicker metal foils are generally more effective. Copper foil and conductive fabric plated with nickel or copper are also used in some products.

How to Select Shielding Tubes

Choose based on fastening methods like Velcro, zippers, snap buttons, and braided tapes. Consider the thickness of the metal foil for effectiveness, and opt for tubes with enclosed grounding braids for convenience.