National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) This page is a page of the former research institute. We stopped updating on March 31.2001.
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This center was founded at the present location of the Shiroishi Ward in Sapporo City in October 1938, by strong requests from the administrative agency, academic world and coal mine industries in order to prevent the accidents occuring in coal mines. Since then, as an governmental institute located in coal producing area, the center has achieved a plenty of excellent results on the mine safety studies (e.g. coal dust explosion, spontaneous combution of coal, safety monitoring system, outburst of gas and coal, etc. ) under close connection with the administrations, the academies and the industries.

The achievements have been contributing to improve coal mine safety in practical fields. Based on the these historical potentials stated above, projects on the exploitation of new fossil resources such as methane hydrate and coal bed methane are actively researched as well as the mine safety technology.

The Collection of Safety Instruments in Underground Coal Mine
Guide map


Mine Safety Technology Technologies for Coal and Rock Dusts Suppression
Mechanized longwall mining systems are used in underground coal mines. In this mining system, a great deal of coal dusts and/or rock dusts are produced. The majority of those dusts can be removed by water spray and gravitational sedimentation. However it !s difficult to remove fine particles though these particles have serious physiological effect for the workers. Therefore, this center is researching the behavior of fine particles which suspends in ventilation air and developing the dust suppression technology.
Dynamics of Fine Dust in Vetilation Alr

The fine dust, which suspends in the ventilation air, sometimes behaves like dense gas. The behaviour is called as "cloud/aggregate sedimentation". This behaviour provides much effect on dust suppression. Researches on the dynamics of air-bone dust in ventilation air as well as in open air are cunducted.


Mechanized Longwall Mining System
( Taiheiyo Coal Mine CO.LTD.)


Particles of Sprayed Water

 Technology for Dust Suppression

It is necessary to remove fine coal and rock dusts from working environment. In order to develop the technology to remove fine dusts by means of the water spray, we are studying (1) the relationship between the size of the particles and the spray water droplets and the effect of dust suppression, (2) the evaluation methods for the effect of dust suppression, etc.


Experiment System of Dynamics of Fine Dust in Ventilation Air



Technologies for the Extraction and Utilisation of New Fossil Resources
The new fossil resources are coal bed methane which exists in deep coal seams and methane hydrates which have been deposited in the bottom of deep sea and the amount is estimated great. These fossil resources are expected to be developed as the new natural gas for 21st century.
Researches to concentrate the methane into the extracted coal bed methane or suchlike gas-mixtures are carried out by means of physical absorption and adsorption and/or gas hydration. To establish fundamentals far methane hydrates exploitaion, for which phase change should beconsidered , researches on the analysis of crystal formation/deformation by molecular level and the fixation of carbon dioxide into the methane reservoirs are conducted.



Atmospheric Environment Monitoring by Sound
Atmospheric and oceanic dynamics are increasing their importance for their property in monitoring global environment.
This project is a part of nationwide one incollaboration with branches and headquaters of NIRE to realize and optimize the sound for the monitoring. The research in this center is the elimination of noise, especially the wind effect on atmospheric propagation.



Test and Research for Official Aproval of Mine Requisites
In accordance with "Regulations for the Inspection and Test of Mine Requisites", this center is responsible for enacting the approval test standards for the mine requisites prescribed in "Coal Mine Safety Regulations", and is conducting tests and researches for the safety assessment of new technology applied to the machinery and materials.



Technical Information Services
  1. Joint Research
  2. Sponsored Research
  3. Test and Analysis Service
  4. Technical Consultation Service
  5. Laboratory Visit



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