Journal of Environmental Engineering (Transactions of AIJ)
Online ISSN : 1881-817X
Print ISSN : 1348-0685
ISSN-L : 1348-0685
Volume 82, Issue 739
Displaying 1-5 of 5 articles from this issue
  • Susumu MATSUSHITA, Yasuhiro MIKI, Yoshiaki UETANI
    2017Volume 82Issue 739 Pages 779-787
    Published: 2017
    Released on J-STAGE: September 30, 2017
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
     "Flux-unit method" that we proposed previously is a simple lighting design method applicable to both non-integrated luminaires and integrated luminaires for residential architects. By using "Flux-unit method", the architects can design the brightness in the room depending on the chamber size and interior reflectance easily. They can calculate the amount of luminaire luminous flux of luminaires to obtain necessary floor average illuminance of whole or zone of the room manually. Further, they can calculate the amount of electric energy by converting luminaire luminous flux into wattage with luminaire efficacy rating.
     Since this method in our previous studies assumes the use of luminaires on the ceiling, there is a precondition that luminaire height is constant. Although there is no problem when luminaire height is nearly equal to ceiling height, such as ceiling lights and down lights that are often used in residential lighting, this method cannot be used when luminaire height is less than ceiling height as pendant lights.
     Therefore, the purpose of this study is to propose the correction formula of "Flux-unit method" by luminaire height in the case that luminaire height is less than ceiling height. First, we calculated "flux-unit" under the conditions of various luminaire height to organize the relationship between luminaire height and "flux-unit". Next, we focused on the difference between "flux-unit" of various luminaire height and the "flux-unit" of ceiling height(2.4m), to consider the correction formula by luminaire height.
     As a result, we got the correction formula of "flux-unit" that correct "flux-unit" of ceiling height(2.4m) by luminaire height. The correction formula is as follows:
     UF(H)=UF(2.4)−C(2.42H2)
     UF(H): "flux-unit" of luminaire height as H(lm), H: luminaire height(m)
     UF(2.4): "flux-unit" of luminaire height as 2.4(lm), C: constant
     Furthermore, procedures of this new "Flux-unit method" were shown and one trial design with this method was also executed to verify brightness distribution by using a illuminance image. The result of verifying the usefulness of this method shows sufficient potential to be practical.
     Consequently, it was shown that "Flux-unit method" is applicable to luminaires of various height under the limited applicable range used in this study.
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  • Improving the performance of air-based solar system in detached houses via maximum utilization of available solar energy, Part 1
    Tatsuya KARUBE, Shuya MORITA, Kozo TAKASE, Youngjin CHOI, Tomohiro YAM ...
    2017Volume 82Issue 739 Pages 789-799
    Published: 2017
    Released on J-STAGE: September 30, 2017
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
     After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, the energy-saving and utilizing renewable energy has been a growing issue in Japan. In houses, the energy consumption mainly goes for hot water supply, space heating and other equipment. Therefore, in housing sector, solar energy seems to be the most useful renewable energy because it can be used for both; to generate electricity and provide heating.
     In this paper, we planned five model houses with air-based solar system for each climate zone defined by Japanese energy-saving standard and later evaluate their annual performances by measurement. To improve the thermal comfort and reduce energy use, the insulation level was raised beyond the Japanese energy-standard levels. In addition, we adopted some energy-saving techniques e.g. using bottled water as heat storage medium. The annual measurements showed excellent improvements in the energy-saving performance of each house compared with the energy-saving standard model in Japan.
     We adopted some techniques to improve air-based solar system. For winter, we adopted; an internal protection enclosure of a Vacuum Insulation Panel (VIP) to reduce the heat loss through window during night, a heat storage medium is achieved by having water bottles and phase change material sheets under the suspended floor. Solar shading strategies were adopted in summer e.g. eaves, movable outer blinds and louvers to reduce the cooling load.
     Through the annual measurements, we evaluated these techniques together with the air-based solar system, the results are as below;
     1) Firstly, it is to confirm the excellent energy-saving performance of all the houses when compared with the energy-saving standard models in Japan.
     2) In all houses, the efficiency of the air-based collectors are about 14 to 20% for the pre-heating photovoltaic panels, and from 23 to 34% for the glass panels.
     3) The energy-saving from the solar system hot water supply differs from one location to another and also vary during seasons. In general, about 27 to 56% of the annual energy used for water heating could be saved.
     4) In Hamamatsu and Sendai, the indoor thermal comfort was achieved during all the winter days with minor operation of air-conditioning.
     5) The effect of heat storage media of water bottles and the phase change material sheets were evaluated. In the daytime, the hot air from the solar system is usually stored in these media (located under the suspended floor). In the cases when there is no solar energy or if it is not enough collected, the previously stored thermal energy is then released to the internal space.
     6) The thermal insulation performance of VIP inner window enclosure was evaluated. In Hokkaido, heat loss through the triple-glass window is reduced to the half when VIP is closed.
     7) The performance of solar shading strategies and the air-based solar cooling system were evaluated in summer. For houses in Hamamatsu and Kagoshima, the shading strategies and the solar cooling system decreased the cooling load by about 50% compared to the houses without these systems.
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  • Yuhei ABE, Tsukasa TSUKIDATE, Koichi TATEMATSU, Takuya TSUTSUMI, Hirot ...
    2017Volume 82Issue 739 Pages 801-809
    Published: 2017
    Released on J-STAGE: September 30, 2017
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
     The realization of an energy-saving and low-carbon society that does not depend on the use of fossil fuels has become necessary due to adoption of the Paris Agreement at COP21. In order to realize an energy-saving and low-carbon society, it is important not only to reduce energy consumption by means such as insulation of buildings and introduction of highly efficiency equipment but also to reduce energy consumption in cities and regions.
     The aim of this study was to clarify energy demand structure of residential and commercial sectors in the Furano area in Hokkaido. First, we investigated the characteristics and energy consumption of public facilities owned by the municipalities, and we determined the energy consumption rate and monthly fluctuation of energy consumption for each building use. Next, in order to consider the area management by Furano City in the future, we estimated the urban energy demands of residential and commercial sectors and analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics of energy demand, and we clarified the area in which the use of energy in a network is effective. The following results were obtained.
     1) A survey of the characteristics of public facilities showed that there were many facilities that had been constructed in the period from 1981 to 1990. Since about 30 years have passed since the construction of those facilities, many facilities will require replacement of equipment in the future. In addition, there were differences between the municipalities in the state of installation of heating equipment and sources of heating and hot water supply.
     2) A survey of the energy consumption of public facilities showed that the energy consumption of facilities with hot baths such as public baths and heated pools was particularly large, and the annual energy consumption for hot water supply exceeded the annual energy consumption for heating in some facilities. In these facilities, conservation of energy for hot water supply as well as heating is necessary. The energy consumption rate and monthly fluctuation of energy consumption for each building use were also clarified using energy consumption data for each facility.
     3) The urban energy demands of residential and commercial sectors in Furano City were estimated. The annual electricity demand was estimated to be about 210 TJ, and the annual heat demand was estimated to be about 710 TJ. It was found that the annual heat demand was about 3.4-times larger than the annual electricity demand. In addition, the annual heat demand was divided into annual heating demand and annual hot water demand. The annual heating demand was estimated to be about 375 TJ, and the annual hot water demand was estimated to be about 336 TJ, being almost the same. Analysis for different buildings showed that both electricity demand and heat demand were largest for houses throughout the year. Thus, energy conservation in houses is important to reduce energy demand in Furano City.
     4) The urban energy demands of Furano City were analyzed in 250 m square areas, and the spatial distribution characteristics of energy demand were clarified. Furthermore, cluster analysis was carried out using heat demand density and heat/power ratio as input data, and the area in which the use of energy in a network would be effective was clarified.
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  • Ayami OTSUKA, Yujiro HIRANO, Daisuke NARUMI
    2017Volume 82Issue 739 Pages 811-820
    Published: 2017
    Released on J-STAGE: September 30, 2017
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
     People's values are an integral part of their lifestyles. In an attempt to identifying energy-saving lifestyles, of which dissemination is a policy agenda under the current strategic energy plan of Japan, this study aims to investigate the relationship between people's values and other determinant factors behind energy-saving behaviors. This is especially worthwhile in view of the paradigm shift, entailing changes in people's lifestyles and values, occurred in post-Fukushima Japan.
     As the conceptual framework, this study adopts Schwartz's basic human value theory combined with Hirose's dual-process model for eco-friendly behavior: socially oriented values are related to factors that form energy-attitude and therefore a higher level of behavioral intention and actual behaviors taken, whereas personally oriented values form behavioral intention without a corresponding development of energy-attitude and are thus more energy consuming. An all-electric apartment with home energy management systems (HEMS) in Yokohama, Japan, is targeted as a case study. Behavioral intention and actual behavioral indicators declared by respondents in a questionnaire are first used as dependent variables to explore relationships between people's values and other factors
     The results indicate a relationship between social, namely self-transcendent, values and mediating factors that lead to forming of energy-attitude, and therefore a higher behavioral intention. But the relationship weakens with the level of action actually taken. In line with earlier researches, values per se are not suitable to explain the complexity of people's decision-making in everyday life: demographic characteristics are to have stronger effects on actual behavior than on behavioral intention. This, in all, suggests a complexity of defining energy-saving lifestyle in the context of everyday life. Yet, fostering self-transcendent values is important in linking people's behavioral intentions to actual actions, and thus in realizing energy-saving lifestyles. Future studies with the use of electricity consumption as dependent variables as well as with larger samples will be worthwhile to further evaluate the relationship between people's values, mediating factors and electricity consumption.
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  • Tetsu AOKI, Akio MIZUTANI
    2017Volume 82Issue 739 Pages 821-830
    Published: 2017
    Released on J-STAGE: September 30, 2017
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
     Kindergarten is one of the main living spaces for infants, and its indoor environment is important from the viewpoint of maintaining and promoting health. In this research, we conducted a survey of indoor temperature and humidity environment in winter in kindergartens located in the Gifu area, clarified its characteristics, and examined the relationship between the kindergarten teacher's awareness of indoor environment adjustment and actions. In addition, we proposed a method to improve the humidity environment based on the results, and aimed to clarify the relation between the influence on the humidity environment and the window opening ventilation.
     Firstly, in 2006 school year, we selected nine kindergartens and measured indoor temperature and relative humidity with the aim of grasping actual conditions of temperature and humidity environment during winter in the classroom which were usually used by children. Measurement objects were about two classrooms of each kindergarten, totaling 17 rooms. There was no humidifier and mechanical ventilation in these rooms. Next, in 2007 school year, we examined the influence on humidity environments by humidification and window-opening ventilation behavior by kindergarten teachers in seven classrooms in six kindergartens, for the purpose of improving the humidity environment without the building repair. Finally, in 2008 school year, in order to grasp the state of ventilation, we measured the concentration of carbon dioxide and recorded the opening and closing state of doors and windows in three rooms in two kindergartens. The time zone analyzed temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide concentration were from 8: 30 to 14: 30 on weekdays.
     The results of the survey in 2006 school year, the absolute humidity in the classroom tended to be low in January and February, and it was thought that the influence of the dry outdoor absolute humidity was greatly received. As one of the factors, it was thought that kindergarten teacher gives priority to ventilation. As a main factor, it was thought that kindergarten teacher gave priority to ventilation.
     Based on the results of the survey in 2007 school year, it was inferred that using humidifier was effective in raising the absolute humidity of the classroom, even if differences in outdoor temperature and humidity conditions and window opening ventilation conditions by teachers were taken into consideration.
     According to the survey results in 2008 school year, the average carbon dioxide concentration in each classroom was below 1500ppm. The number of air changes was estimated and the dairy average was 1.7 to 5.3 [1/h]. From the records of the opening area of the opening and the number of children in the classroom, it seems that the time when all the children stayed in the room was short and all the opening of the room was not closed for a long time. Consequently, there is a possibility that the amount of ventilation required in a kindergarten may be estimated more if assuming that everyone is always in the room.
     The absolute humidity of the classroom without the humidifier was less than 5.8 g/kg' which was proposed that infection of influenza spread easily. It was thought that this main factor is caused by intrusion of dry outdoor air by window opening ventilation. Therefore it is desirable to raise the absolute humidity in the classroom of kindergarten on taking outdoor environment and the states of ventilation into consideration.
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