Evaluation Technologies for Environmental Effects and Ecotechnology

Evaluation Technologies for Environmental Effects and Ecotechnology

Global Carbon Cycle
On each arrow is indicated the maghitude of the flux in Gtc/year
(DOC=dissolved organic carbon)

Oceanic Carbon Cycle Study

It has been hypothesized that about 50% of the CO₂ released by human activities since the preindustrial era, termed anthropogenic CO₂, has been absorbed by the ocean. However, the behavior of oceanic carbonate species is not well known because of the many complexities in the carbon cycle, including atmospheric, biological, and chemical processes, as well as sea-floor interactions. This complicated cycle adds to our uncertainty regarding oceanic uptake of CO₂.

The Northwest Pacific Carbon Cycle Study (NOPACCS) began in 1990 using the R/N Hakurei-Maru to clarify the processes controlling oceanic CO₂.Our observations strongly indicate that the North Pacific subpolar region is an important sink of anthropogenic CO₂.This important study will contribute to our estimates of the amount of CO₂ absorbed by the ocean today and enhance predictions of future impacts.

[Environmental Assessment Department]

Three-Dimensional Global Transport Model

Research on the global transport of CO₂ and CFCs is necessary to predict future concentrations and estimate the effects of prevention technologies. A three-dimensional tracer transport model (NIRE-CTM) is being used to investigate spatial and annual variations in CO₂ and CFC concentrations. NIRE-CTM uses wind data from 1992 analyzed at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Model output is compared with empirical results. Figure 5 shows the monthly mean concentrations of CO₂ in a latitudinal (vertical) cross-section averaged at each pressure level in March of the model's second year. The contour interval is 0.5 ppm. Changes in concentrations are shown by different colors. These predictions will be useful as assessment, planning, and management tools.

[Environmental Assessment Department]

Simulation Models for Local Environmental Impact Assessment

Concentrations of NOx and suspended particulate matter in industrialized areas are observed to vary with local meteorological conditions whit in about 100km. NIRE is developing numerical models of land and sea breeze and heat island effects in order to simulate the resulting pollutant concentrations. The sea water pollution in enclosed and semi-enclosed bays adjacent to urban areas is serious problem due to inflow of pollutants such as COD and nutrition from surrounding sea. Three-dimension flower and ecosystem simulation models of pollutants are being developed to improve water and sediment quality in enclosed bays.

Fig:Phytoplanktion in Tokyo Bay
An exchange of model result for COD(mg/l)

[Environmental Assessment Department]

Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Life-cycle assessment is a method for calculating resource consumption and emissions resulting from production, use, and disposal of a product throughout its useful life and for evaluating their environmental impacts. We believe that this technique will facilitate the production of environmentally friendly products.

NIRE is developing an LCA computer program and collecting enormous amounts of data in cooperation with various industries. We are also discussing methods to evaluate the environmental impacts of resource consumption and discharges.

[Energy Resources Department]

Studay on Safety Systems in Relation with Human Factors

Human Safety Systems

Interface between a people and the environment or industrial systems are being studied to enhance safety. These studies, which are focused mainly on evacuation, involve human speech recognition and perception, and human behaviors in relation to the geometry of underground spaces. Through this research, NIRE intends to contribute to the development of safe underground evacuation procedures as well as to general human safety solutions. This NIRE team has researched the following topics:

Physiology of upward underground evacuation.
Physiological and mental effects of respiratory stresses on the human body under emergency situations.
Main environmental factors affecting sound propagation and speech transmission characteristics.
Development of a simulation code for underground evacuation based on experimental data.

Photo: Experiment of escape buhavior

[Sefety Engineering Department]

Underground Space Utilization

Underground Space Utilization and Safety Evaluation

Utilization of deep underground space is expected to solve problems associated with overcrowding of people, facilities, and functions in metropolitan areas. NIRE's project on the development of underground space aims to establish technologies necessary to construct open space in soft soils and to ensure public safety and comfort.

In addition to this project, other research subjects include technologies for safety monitoring of constructed underground space using Acoustic Emission (AE) methods, prevention of materials corrosion, evaluation of fire-resistant materials, prediction of dispersion of disasters, establishment of rapid response mechanisms and evacuation systems, and dissemination of disaster information.

[Sefety Engineering Department]

Safety Evaluation Technology for Gas, Dust, and Materials

Many kinds of combustible and explosive materials commentary used in chemical plants and households, are potentially hazardous. Hydrogen, ethylene, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, and propane gas, can all give rise to accidents. Process industries that handle foods, chemicals, plastic, metals, etc. are faced with explosion hazards from dusts. Furthermore, industries handling various resources and energy are always at risk of fire and explosion related to their industrial activities.

In order to minimize the potential for accidents, NIRE is conducting investigations on the mechanisms of explosions, ignition sources, explosion propagation control, flammability of combustible materials, standardization of flame resistance tests, and combustion products and so on.
Photo : ISO Ignitability Test on a Combustible Polymeric Composite Material

[Sefety Engineering Department]

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