1954 - Developed the “Water-Conditioning Systems” for thermal power plants
During the period of development in Japan when electricity demand increased rapidly
The special procurement due to the Korean War that started in 1950 promoted Japan to pull out of its post-war economic recession. With the rapid recovery of the economy, productivity in industry had exceeded the prewar level and the increased income also improved the level of people's lives. Electric appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators and televisions began to become widespread in many families, and companies promoted positive capital investment for further development.
What supported such development in Japan was none other than the power of “electricity”. To deal with rapidly increasing electricity demand, electricity industry companies addressed large-scale development of electric power resources, and the mainstream of the power generation method shifted from hydroelectric power generation, which has high construction costs, to thermal power generation, which is low-cost and a highly efficient power generation method.
During such a time period, Special Pump Co., Ltd. (the predecessor of Nikkiso, hereinafter referred to as “Nikkiso”), which was established in 1953, launched the development of the “Water-Conditioning Systems”, which is essential for the stable operation of thermal power plants.
Focusing attention on the “water environment” of thermal power plants
In thermal power generation, water heated by a boiler is turned into steam, which rotates the turbine (motor) to generate electricity. Presence of impurities in the water allows the scale (metallic oxide) in the boiler to adhere easily, leading to deteriorated heat efficiency, corroded interior walls, damaged water pipes, and other problems.
Accordingly, the water quality was regulated with a chemical solution as a countermeasure, but there was no clear standard for the injection method in the 1950's in Japan. In response, Nikkiso proposed the introduction of the Water-Conditioning Systems in which a chemical solution is injected directly into the boiler.
Nikkiso “Water-Conditioning Systems” dominates the domestic market
When searching for a chemical solution injection method for boilers for thermal power generation, we encountered the “Milton Roy Pump” manufactured by U.S. company Milton Roy (a metering pump that discharges the necessary amount of liquid accurately while performing automatic adjustment). Nikkiso was mainly engaging in the import and sale of pumps as the sole agent of the product but expanded the business into planning of water-conditioning in general, such as injection of chemicals, sampling of sample water and analysis of water quality. Through technical cooperation with Milton Roy, we completed the “first domestic product” in 1956. Taking advantage of a thermal power plant construction boom, we exercised monopolistic control in the domestic boiler water treatment market. Even after more than half a century since their development, our Water-Conditioning Systems are currently used in 420 or more thermal power plants and all nuclear power plants.
