MHI Selects "Best Innovation 2012" Awards

The List of "Best Innovation 2012" award

"Best New Product Award"
• Gas Turbine Air-Intake Cooling System Using a Centrifugal Chillers
• Type 12 Torpedo
• Container-type Gas Engine Power Generation System "MEGANINJA"
• "ZI20A" Internally Toothed Ring Gear Grinding Machine

"Best New Business Process Award"
• System Enabling Real-time Visualization of Progress of Global Production Activities
• Strategic Business-scale Expansion by Best Mix of Advantageous Businesses, Acquiring Federal Broach of the U.S.
• Enhanced Efficiency in On-site Plant Inspection Work through Use of Portable Terminals
• Construction Cost Improvement through Application of On-site Process Simulation to Construction Process Planning

"Special Award for Best New Technology"
• "SOI-SOC" Radiation-resistant Computer System Chip
• Advanced Analysis & Testing Technologies Enabling Realization of a NOx Combustor for Power Generation Gas Turbines
• Enhanced Performance of Shinkai 6500 Movement Control System
• Development of Tsunami Wave Simulation Technology

"Special Award for Best Company Image Enhancer"
• EMERALD ACE Car Carrier for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
• Media Mix Effects Achieved, Featuring Damping Device for Tokyo Skytree, etc.
• System Dedicated to Measuring Radiation from Rice Packed Sacks
• Camera Able to "See" Radiation
• Joint Demonstration of CO2 Recovery from Coal-fired Power Plant Emissions, with Southern Company

Full descriptions of the 2012 award recipients in each category are given below.
(The organizations shown in the parentheses indicates recipient of awards)

"Best New Product Award"

Gas Turbine Air-Intake Cooling System Using a Centrifugal Chillers
(Power Systems / Centrifugal & Absorption Chiller Department of Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Systems)

In a gas turbine, an air-intake cooling system is used to boost power generation output by increasing the air-intake volume by cooling it. This past year MHI enhanced gas turbine power generation efficiency through centrifugal chiller integrated designing. As the centrifugal chiller incorporated design can be applied in all models of the company's gas turbines, it will contribute significantly to future business negotiations.

Type 12 Torpedo
(Aerospace Systems)

Type 12 advanced antisubmarine guided torpedoes for the use by escort ships and antisubmarine aircraft is equipped with new guidance and control system, including compound censor system. The torpedo is capable to respond to high-performance submarines in operation at varied depth, including shallow and deep sea area.

Container-type Gas Engine Power Generation System "MEGANINJA"
(General Machinery & Special Vehicles)

To enable quick transport, quick installation and quick generation, the "MEGANINJA" power generation system is fully housed in an easily transportable container, and connector units are adopted to complete all wiring and fuel piping connections. Together these features enable start-up of power generation within 24 hours after reaching the installation site. As a cogeneration system, the MEGANINJA achieves the world's highest efficiency rating: 74.6%.

"ZI20A" Internally Toothed Ring Gear Grinding Machine
(Machine Tool)

The ZI20A is the world's first gear grinding machine capable of high-speed, high-precision finishing of both internally and externally toothed gears. This feat is accomplished through selected use of two types of threaded grinding wheels featuring barrel or drum shapes specially developed by MHI. The ZI20A enables mass production of a diverse array of gears, including stepped and shaft-mounted gears.

"Best New Business Process Award"

System Enabling Real-time Visualization of Progress of Global Production Activities
(Machinery & Steel Infrastructure Systems / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machinery Technology Corporation / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Changshu) Machinery Co., Ltd.)

This system enables real-time observation from Japan of the production status of tire curing presses installed at the company's overseas production bases. Based on detailed work analysis, a PDCA (plan, do, check, action) cycle is realized that enables an immediate shift to the next ameliorative action.

Strategic Business-scale Expansion by Best Mix of Advantageous Businesses, Acquiring Federal Broach of the U.S.
(Machine Tool / Corporate Planning Department)

MHI acquired Federal Broach, the No.2-ranked American broach manufacturer, in a very short time. The move has contributed significantly to the company's strategic allocation of resources, expansion of business scale by withdrawing from total self-reliance, and expansion of affiliated strategic business units (SBU).

Enhanced Efficiency in On-site Plant Inspection Work through Use of Portable Terminals
(Nagasaki Research & Development Center / Hiroshima Research & Development Center)

The company developed an efficient method for designers to check on-site work using portable terminals, to eliminate the conventional bottleneck that has held up such checking tasks. The new system is expected to play an essential role in securing after-sale plant servicing contracts.

Construction Cost Improvement through Application of On-site Process Simulation to Construction Process Planning
(Yokohama Research & Development Center / Business Process Innovation Department / Takasago Research & Development Center and Hiroshima Research & Development Center)

A method was newly adopted that enables optimization of complex construction processes in a short time through use of simulation. The system is expected to trim costs incurred for inquiries, planning and on-site construction of construction work in EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) works.

"Special Award for Best New Technology"

"SOI-SOC" Radiation-resistant Computer System Chip
(Aerospace Systems)

By integrating SOI (silicon-on-insulator) technology, which is a technology for producing transistors on silicon crystal thin film, and SOC (system-on-chip) technology, which is a method for designing multifunctional integrated circuits (IC) on a single semiconductor chip, MHI created a technology for producing large-scale ICs that offer both outstanding environmental resistance (against radiation and high temperatures) and the benefits of small size, low energy consumption and low cost. This "SOI-SOC" was commercialized, a move that contributed to the development of next-generation roentgen satellites, etc.

Advanced Analysis & Testing Technologies Enabling Realization of a NOx Combustor for Power Generation Gas Turbines
 (Takasago Research & Development Center)

In a quest to develop combustors enabling both reduced nitrogen oxides (NOx) and stable combustion, MHI investigated the mechanisms behind NOx generation and combustion-generated vibration. This was undertaken applying such measuring techniques as large-scale flow/combustion/acoustic analyses and optical measurement technologies. This knowledge was applied in designing the company's J-Series combustors, enabling the achievement of low NOx combustion targeted.

Enhanced Performance of Shinkai 6500 Movement Control System
(Nagoya Research & Development Center)

In order to enhance motion performance and lighten burden in manual maneuvers of the Shinkai 6500, a manned submersible operated by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), MHI developed technology that enables automatic optimized control of six propellers based on real-time projections of changes in hull movement characteristics. Equipped with this new system, the Shinkai 6500 can now perform horizontal shifts, swift turns and smooth movements in line with topographic complexities.

Development of Tsunami Wave Simulation Technology
(Nagasaki Research & Development Center / Power Systems / Nuclear Power Systems)

The company developed technology that enables calculations of wave force during collisions with tsunami waves. The system using the technology is capable to duplicate the major tidal wave occurred on March 11, 2011, and demonstrated its validity in assessment of tsunami's wave power to affect structural objects near the coast and verification of efficacy of measures in anticipating tsunami. At the same time, it has achieved to reduce analysis time substantially, from six months to approximately one month.

"Special Award for Best Company Image Enhancer"

EMERALD ACE Car Carrier for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
(Shipbuilding & Ocean Development)

The EMERALD ACE is an "eco-ship" featuring a hybrid power supply system that achieves zero emissions while at dock through the combination of a solar power generation system and lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. The ship has been widely introduced in the media because of these ecological advantages, and also because the EMERALD ACE was the last commercial vessel to be constructed at the company's Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works.

Media Mix Effects Achieved, Featuring Damping Device for Tokyo Skytree, etc.
(Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Bridge & Steel Structures Engineering Co., Ltd. / Corporate Communication Department)

Tokyo Skytree, a new structure that has garnered attention worldwide, features a damping device manufactured by an MHI Group company, and articles about this damper have appeared in numerous publications and advertisement featuring the product was televised. This has increased recognition not only of our products but also of the MHI Group.

System Dedicated to Measuring Radiation from Rice Packed Sacks
(Machinery & Steel Infrastructure Systems / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Mechatronics Systems., Ltd.)

A series of media exposures of the system has greatly increased public recognition of MHI's contribution not only to recovery from earthquake/tsunami disaster in Fukushima but also to safety assurance of rice, which is the core of Japan's food culture, applying the company's radiation measurement technology.

Camera Able to "See" Radiation
(Aerospace Systems / Advanced Technology Research Center / Nagasaki, Takasago and Nagoya Research & Development Centers)

MHI developed a camera that can "see" the distribution pattern and identify the ray type of radioactive materials using state-of-the-art gamma-ray sensor technology equipped on the ASTRO-H celestial observation satellite. The camera was widely reported by the media in reflection of high expectations for its contribution to decontamination work connected to the Fukushima nuclear power station accident.

Joint Demonstration of CO2 Recovery from Coal-fired Power Plant Emissions, with Southern Company
(Engineering Headquarters / Hiroshima Research & Development Center)

The demonstration project of the world's first integrated CO2 recovery, transport and storage of coal-fired power plant emissions, which MHI performs a major role, was widely reported in the U.S. and Japan. The media coverage has boosted international recognition of MHI's advanced technology in energy and environmental areas.

Business contact:Corporate Planning Department