This paper describes binary power generation using fermentation heat as the high heat source. This heat, which is generated from the composting of organic matter, can be recovered using a Suction-type Aeration Composting System (SACS), a composting system that aerates composting material by sucking air from the bottom of the material. The SACS facility was installed in a farm with 100 head of milking cows, and was used to verify the characteristics of using fermentation heat as the high heat source for binary power generation. The 60 °C exhaust gas from the facility was used as the high heat source for the power generation experiment. As a result, the layout that heated the water before and after the power generator resulted in the highest generation efficiency, and the power generated by using fermentation heat of about 216 MJ/h (60 kW equivalent) was more than 700 W at maximum. Although power generation was interrupted by temperature decreases caused by turning over of the compost, it was maintained for approximately 60 h over in a three-day turning over cycle.

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With respect to the numerous configurations of pipe-framed greenhouse employed at farms in Japan, greater clarity on pipe-frame intensity is required. Therefore, we conducted studies on several pipe-farms at farms and analyzed stress. We also identified the appropriate installation position of tie-bar, which is one of the measures of damage by snow. The maximum stress on the pipe-frame was distributed as follows: grounded part by 1.2 m eave heights, eave part by 1.5 m, and 1.8 m eave heights. By installing the tie-bar at the position of f/8 (on pipe-frame), the maximum stress on the pipe-frame was minimized. When we conducted the load carrying test, wherein the tie-bar was installed at the position of f/8 (on Pipe-frame), the collapse load was increased to approximately 2.3 times than that in the absence of a tie-bar and approximately 1.6 times than when the tie-bar is installed at the position of f/4 (on Pipe-frame). As we studied loads applied on pipe-frames, it evaluated with promising T-band that has sufficiently large drawing tensions.

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In this study, we aimed to discuss some cases that the Japanese Local Small and Medium sized Enterprises (hereinafter ”SMEs”) Farm Machinery/Facility Manufacturer (hereinafter ”FMFM”) transferred their Fundamental Technology for Agricultural Machinery (hereinafter ”FTAM”) for business expansions overseas, which in turn contributed to the economic revitalization of the local area. Firstly, we defined that the competiveness of SMEs-FMFM was links made through local business ties. To elaborate, labor-intensive cooperate activities such as “Research and Development”, “Production and Sales” and “Employment”, derived from long standing connections of communities. Secondly, we conducted surveys to identify the key factors when operating overseas: decision-making, planning, and succeeding in the field, etc. We found that the SEMs-FMFM owners had strong ideologies of contributing socially and economically to the field country by placing high priority on relationship rationality when making business decisions. Additionally, the key to success, especially in developing countries, was by selecting a mediator who fully comprehended the technology-oriented network of the field country. In other word, the most important factor of the overseas business expansion was creating and expanding social capital in the field country. We concluded that the most effective way of formulating social capital was by relocating to on-site production as well as transferring the FTAM to the field employees. On the other hand, local businesses could convert from labor-intensive to knowledge-intensive cooperate activity: innovative research and development on production, strategic planning on a global scale etc. The findings suggested that the SMEs-FMFM overseas expansion not only led to the structural transformation of the Japanese Agricultural Machinery Manufacturing Industries, but also it has maintained and improved the FTAM. Moreover, by attracting a different demographic of prospective employee, it may lead to economic revitalization.

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