Management method of discharge amount of carbon dioxide

Abstract

To provide a management method of a discharge amount of carbon dioxide whereby a user can grasp a discharge amount of carbon dioxide of a sheet production apparatus.SOLUTION: A sheet production apparatus 1 includes: a defibration part for defibrating a raw material by driving a motor 36; an electric current measurement part 47 for measuring a consuming electric current of the motor 36; and a calculation part 92 for calculating a production number of sheets. The sheet production apparatus 1 calculates a defibration electric power amount which is a consumed electric power of the defibration part based on a consumed electric current of the motor 36 measured by the electric current measurement part 47 for every one operation, and transmits a production sheet number and a defibration electric power amount to a server 2. The server 2 calculates an apparatus electric power amount which is a whole consumed electric power of the sheet production apparatus 1 based on a production sheets number, and a defibration electric power amount for every one operation of the sheet production apparatus 1, and calculates a carbon dioxide discharge amount of the sheet production apparatus 1 based on the apparatus electric power amount, and informs a calculated carbon dioxide discharge amount to a user of the sheet production apparatus 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for managing carbon dioxide emissions.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a sheet manufacturing apparatus that dry-defibers a raw material containing fibers and deposits a mixture containing the defibered raw material to form a sheet. In recent years, as efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions have attracted attention, there has been a need to grasp the carbon dioxide emissions of the apparatus in order to publicly disclose it in an environmental report or the like for the sheet manufacturing apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, it has not been easy to grasp the carbon dioxide emissions of the sheet manufacturing apparatus. For this reason, it is required to enable users to grasp the carbon dioxide emissions in the sheet manufacturing apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A method for managing carbon dioxide emissions is a method for managing carbon dioxide emissions in a management system having a sheet manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a sheet and a server connected to the sheet manufacturing apparatus via a network. The sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a defibrating unit that defibrates a raw material by driving a motor, a current measuring unit that measures a current consumption of the motor, and a counting unit that measures the number of sheets manufactured. For each operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus, based on the current consumption of the motor measured by the current measuring unit, the defibrating power consumption, which is the power consumption of the defibrating unit, is calculated, and the number of manufactured sheets and the defibrating power consumption are transmitted to the server via the network. The server calculates, for each operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus, the apparatus power consumption, which is the total power consumption of the sheet manufacturing apparatus, based on the number of manufactured sheets and the defibrating power consumption, calculates the carbon dioxide emissions of the sheet manufacturing apparatus based on the apparatus power consumption, and notifies the user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus of the calculated carbon dioxide emissions via the network.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is an apparatus that disintegrates paper pieces such as waste paper in a dry manner and recycles them into sheets. However, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is not limited to being dry and may be wet. In this specification, "dry" means that the operation is carried out in the air such as the atmosphere, not in a liquid.

[0008] In FIG. 1, an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that intersect each other are shown. In the present embodiment, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. Specifically, the XY plane including the X-axis and the Y-axis is horizontal, and the Z-axis is vertical. The direction in which the arrow of each axis points is the + direction, and the opposite direction is the - direction. Hereinafter, the +Z direction may be referred to as "up" or "above", and the -Z direction may be referred to as "down" or "below". Also, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the conveyance direction side in which the raw material, the web, the sheet, etc. are conveyed is sometimes referred to as the downstream, and the opposite side is referred to as the upstream. For the sake of illustration, the sizes of the respective members are made different from the actual ones.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first unit 101, a second unit 102, and a third unit 103. The first unit 101, the second unit 102, and the third unit 103 are supported by a frame (not shown). In FIG. 1, the directions in which the waste paper C, the sheet P3, the slit pieces S, and unnecessary end materials, etc. move are indicated by white arrows.

[0010] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures the sheet P3 from the waste paper C as the raw material. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the first unit 101, the third unit 103, and the second unit 102 are arranged in this order from the -Y side toward the +Y side.

[0011] The waste paper C is conveyed from the first unit 101 to the second unit 102 through the pipe 21 that crosses inside the third unit 103. Then, the waste paper C is defibrated etc. in the second unit 102 to become fibers, and then becomes a mixture containing a binder etc. The mixture is conveyed from the second unit 102 to the third unit 103 through the pipe 24. The mixture is made into the web W in the third unit 103 and then formed into the strip-shaped sheet P1. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut in the first unit 101 to become the sheet P3.

[0012] The first unit 101 has a buffer tank 13, a metering supply unit 15, a confluence unit 17, and a pipe 21. In the first unit 101, these components are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream. Also, the first unit 101 also has a first cutting unit 81, a second cutting unit 82, a tray 91, a counting unit 92, and a shredding unit 95. The first cutting unit 81 and the second cutting unit 82 cut the strip-shaped sheet P1 into the sheet P3 of a predetermined shape. Furthermore, the first unit 101 has a water supply unit 67. The water supply unit 67 is a water storage tank. The water supply unit 67 supplies humidifying water to each of the first humidifying unit 65 and the second humidifying unit 66 described later through a water supply pipe (not shown).

[0013] The waste paper C is input from the raw material inlet 11 to the buffer tank 13. The waste paper C contains fibers such as cellulose and is, for example, pieces of shredded waste paper. Inside the buffer tank 13, humidified air is supplied from the second humidifying unit 66 provided in the third unit 103.

[0014] The waste paper C is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 13 and then conveyed to the metering supply unit 15 according to the operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 may be provided with a shredder for shredding the waste paper C etc. on the upstream side of the buffer tank 13.

[0015] The metering and feeding unit 15 includes a weighing device 15a and a feeding mechanism (not shown). The weighing device 15a weighs the mass of the waste paper C. The feeding mechanism feeds the waste paper C weighed by the weighing device 15a to the downstream confluence section 17. That is, the metering and feeding unit 15 weighs the waste paper C by the weighing device 15a for each predetermined mass and feeds it to the downstream confluence section 17 by the feeding mechanism. The weighing and feeding of the waste paper C in the metering and feeding unit 15 is batch processing. That is, the supply of the waste paper C from the metering and feeding unit 15 to the confluence section 17 is carried out intermittently.

[0016] In the confluence section 17, shredded pieces of the slit pieces S supplied from the shredding section 95 are confluent and mixed with the waste paper C supplied from the metering and feeding unit 15. The slit pieces S and the shredding section 95 will be described later. The waste paper C with the shredded pieces mixed therein flows from the confluence section 17 into the pipe 21.

[0017] The waste paper C is conveyed through the pipe 21 from the first unit 101 to the second unit 102 by the air flow generated by a blower (not shown).

[0018] The second unit 102 includes a defibering section 31 which is a dry defibering machine, a separation section 32, a pipe 23, a mixing section 33, and a pipe 24. In the second unit 102, these components are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream. The second unit 102 also includes a pipe 25 connected to the separation section 32, a recovery section 35, a compressor 38, and a control device 40.

[0019] The waste paper C conveyed through the pipe 21 flows into the defibering section 31. The defibering section 31 dry-defibers the waste paper C supplied from the metering and feeding unit 15 into fibers. A known defibering mechanism can be applied to the defibering section 31.

[0020] The fiber separation unit 31 includes a motor 36, a stator and a rotor (not shown). The stator has a substantially cylindrical inner surface. The rotor is installed inside the stator and rotates along the inner surface of the stator by the drive of the motor 36 to separate the fibers of the waste paper C. The pieces of the waste paper C are sandwiched between the inner surface of the stator and the rotor and are separated by the shearing force generated therebetween. As a result, the entangled fibers contained in the pieces of the waste paper C are unraveled. The separated waste paper C is conveyed to the separation unit 32.

[0021] The separation unit 32 sorts the separated fibers. Specifically, the separation unit 32 removes components unnecessary for the production of the sheet P3 from the separated fibers. Specifically, the separation unit 32 separates relatively long fibers from relatively short fibers. Since the relatively short fibers may cause a decrease in the strength of the sheet P3, they are separated by the separation unit 32. In addition, the separation unit 32 also separates and removes coloring materials, additives, etc. contained in the waste paper C. A known technique such as a disk mesh method can be applied to the separation unit 32. Inside the separation unit 32, air humidified by the second humidifying unit 66 of the third unit 103 is supplied.

[0022] After the relatively short fibers and the like are removed by the separation unit 32, the separated fibers are conveyed to the mixing unit 33 via the pipe 23. Unnecessary components such as relatively short fibers and coloring materials are discharged to the recovery unit 35 via the pipe 25.

[0023] The mixing unit 33 mixes a binder or the like with fibers in the air to form a mixture. Although not shown, the mixing unit 33 includes a flow path through which the fibers are conveyed, a fan, a hopper, a supply pipe, and a valve. The hopper communicates with the flow path of the fibers through the supply pipe. The hopper supplies a binder such as starch into the flow path. The valve is provided in the supply pipe between the hopper and the flow path. The valve adjusts the mass of the binder supplied from the hopper to the flow path. Thereby, the mixing ratio of the fibers and the binder is adjusted. In addition to the above-described configuration for supplying the binder, the mixing unit 33 may be provided with a similar configuration for supplying a coloring material, an additive, or the like. The mixing unit 33 mixes a binder or the like into the air while conveying the fibers downstream by the airflow generated by the fan to form a mixture. The mixture flows into the pipe 24 from the mixing unit 33.

[0024] The recovery unit 35 includes a filter (not shown). The filter filters out unnecessary components such as relatively short fibers conveyed through the pipe 25 by the airflow.

[0025] The compressor 38 generates compressed air. In the above filter, clogging may occur due to fine particles or the like among the unnecessary components. It is possible to clean the filter by blowing the compressed air generated by the compressor 38 onto the filter to blow off the attached particles.

[0026] The control device 40 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The control unit 41 is configured to include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 by operating according to a program (not shown) stored in the storage unit 42. The storage unit 42 is configured by a storage device such as a hard disk drive, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a memory, and stores the above-described program and various setting data. The communication unit 43 includes various interface circuits for communicating with an external device. The communication unit 43 of the present embodiment includes an interface circuit for performing communication via a network NW (see FIG. 2). Further, the control device 40 includes a power supply unit (not shown). The power supply unit distributes the power supplied from the outside to each component of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0027] The third unit 103 deposits and compresses a mixture containing fibers and forms it into a belt-shaped sheet P1 that is recycled paper. The third unit 103 has a deposition unit 50, a first conveyance unit 61, a second conveyance unit 62, a first humidifying unit 65, a second humidifying unit 66, a drainage unit 68, and a forming unit 70.

[0028] In the third unit 103, the deposition unit 50, the first conveyance unit 61, the second conveyance unit 62, the first humidifying unit 65, and the forming unit 70 are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream. The second humidifying unit 66 is disposed below the first humidifying unit 65.

[0029] The deposition unit 50 deposits a mixture containing separated fibers in the air to generate a web W. The deposition unit 50 has a drum member 53, a blade member 55 installed inside the drum member 53, a housing 51 that houses the drum member 53, and a suction unit 59. The mixture is taken into the inside of the drum member 53 from the pipe 24.

[0030] Below the stacking section 50, a first conveying section 61 is arranged. The first conveying section 61 has a mesh belt 61a stretched over a plurality of stretching rollers. The suction section 59 faces the drum member 53 across the mesh belt 61a in the direction along the Z-axis.

[0031] The blade member 55 is inside the drum member 53 and is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown). The drum member 53 is a semi-cylindrical sieve. A net having the function of a sieve is provided on the surface of the drum member 53 facing downward. The drum member 53 allows particles such as fibers and mixtures smaller than the mesh size of the sieve to pass from the inside to the outside.

[0032] The mixture is discharged to the outside of the drum member 53 while being agitated by the rotating blade member 55 inside the drum member 53. Humidified air from the second humidifying section 66 is supplied to the inside of the drum member 53.

[0033] The suction section 59 is arranged below the drum member 53. The suction section 59 sucks the air inside the housing 51 through a plurality of holes in the mesh belt 61a. The plurality of holes in the mesh belt 61a allow air to pass through while making it difficult for fibers, binders, etc. contained in the mixture to pass through. As a result, the mixture discharged to the outside of the drum member 53 is sucked downward together with the air. The suction section 59 is a known suction device such as a blower. The mixture is dispersed in the air inside the housing 51 and accumulates on the upper surface of the mesh belt 61a by gravity and the suction of the suction section 59 to form the web W.

[0034] The mesh belt 61a is an endless belt and is stretched by a plurality of stretching rollers. The mesh belt 61a circulates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by the rotation of the stretching rollers. As a result, the mixture continuously accumulates on the mesh belt 61a and the web W is formed. The web W contains a relatively large amount of air and is soft and swollen. The first conveying section 61 conveys the formed web W downstream by the circulation of the mesh belt 61a.

[0035] The second conveying unit 62 conveys the web W downstream in place of the first conveying unit 61. The second conveying unit 62 peels the web W from the upper surface of the mesh belt 61a and conveys it toward the forming unit 70. The second conveying unit 62 is located above the conveyance path of the web W and is disposed slightly upstream of the return-side starting point of the mesh belt 61a. A part of the +Y side of the second conveying unit 62 overlaps with the -Y side of the mesh belt 61a when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0036] The second conveying unit 62 includes a transport belt (not shown), a plurality of rollers, and a suction mechanism. The transport belt is provided with a plurality of holes for passing air. The transport belt is stretched by a plurality of rollers and circulates by the rotation of the rollers.

[0037] The second conveying unit 62 adsorbs the upper surface of the web W to the lower surface of the transport belt by the negative pressure generated by the suction mechanism. In this state, as the transport belt circulates, the web W is adsorbed to the transport belt and conveyed downstream.

[0038] The first humidifying unit 65 humidifies the web W containing the fibers deposited at the deposition unit 50 of the third unit 103. Specifically, the first humidifying unit 65 is, for example, a mist-type humidifier, and supplies mist M from below to the web W conveyed by the second conveying unit 62 for humidification. The first humidifying unit 65 is disposed below the second conveying unit 62 and faces the web W conveyed by the second conveying unit 62. A known humidifying device such as an ultrasonic type can be applied to the first humidifying unit 65.

[0039] When the web W is humidified with the mist M, the function as a binder for starch is promoted, and the strength of the sheet P3 is improved. Further, since the web W is humidified from below, it is possible to prevent the droplets derived from the mist from falling onto the web W. Furthermore, since humidification is performed from the opposite side of the contact surface between the transport belt and the web W, the adhesion of the web W to the transport belt is reduced. The second conveying unit 62 conveys the web W to the forming unit 70.

[0040] The forming section 70 heats and presses the web W containing fibers to form it into a belt-shaped sheet P1. The forming section 70 has, as forming rollers, a first forming roller 71 and a second forming roller 72. Each of the first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72 incorporates an electric heater and is capable of raising the temperature of the roller surface.

[0041] The first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72 are substantially cylindrical members. The rotation axes of the first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72 are arranged along the X-axis. With respect to the conveyance path of the web W, the first forming roller 71 is arranged substantially above, and the second forming roller 72 is arranged substantially below. A gap corresponding to the thickness of the sheet P3 to be manufactured is provided between the first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72.

[0042] The first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72 are rotationally driven by a motor (not shown). The web W is sandwiched between the first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72 and is fed downstream while being heated and pressed. That is, the web W continuously passes through the forming section 70 and is press-formed while being heated. By using the pair of the first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72 as forming rollers, the heating and pressing of the web W can be efficiently performed.

[0043] By passing through the forming section 70, the air contained in the web W is reduced, and the fibers are bonded to each other by the binder, and the web W is formed into a belt-shaped sheet P1. The belt-shaped sheet P1 is conveyed to the first unit 101 by a conveying roller.

[0044] The second humidifying unit 66 humidifies a predetermined area of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The predetermined area is one or more of the buffer tank 13, the separation unit 32, and the drum member 53 of the deposition unit 50. Specifically, humidified air is supplied from the second humidifying unit 66 to the above area through a plurality of pipes (not shown). The humidified air suppresses the charging of waste paper C, fibers, etc. in each of the above configurations, and suppresses the adhesion of these to members due to static electricity. A known vaporization type humidifying device can be applied to the second humidifying unit 66. Examples of the vaporization type humidifying device include those that generate humidified air by blowing wind against a moistened non-woven fabric or the like to vaporize moisture.

[0045] The drainage unit 68 is a drainage tank. The drainage unit 68 is used in the first humidifying unit 65, the second humidifying unit 66, etc., and collects and stores the old moisture. When discarding the water accumulated in the drainage unit 68, the drainage unit 68 is removed from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0046] The belt-shaped sheet P1 conveyed to the first unit 101 reaches the first cutting unit 81. The first cutting unit 81 cuts the belt-shaped sheet P1 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, for example, in a direction along the X-axis. The belt-shaped sheet P1 is cut into single-sheet-shaped sheets P2 at the first cutting unit 81. The single-sheet-shaped sheets P2 are conveyed from the first cutting unit 81 to the second cutting unit 82.

[0047] The second cutting unit 82 cuts the single-sheet-shaped sheet P2 in a direction along the conveying direction, for example, in a direction along the Y-axis. Specifically, the second cutting unit 82 cuts the ends on the +X side and -X side of the single-sheet-shaped sheet P2. Thereby, the single-sheet-shaped sheet P2 becomes a sheet P3 having a predetermined shape such as A4 size or A3 size.

[0048] When cutting the single-sheet-shaped sheet P2 into the sheet P3 at the second cutting unit 82, a slit piece S which is an end material is generated. The slit piece S is conveyed in the substantially -Y direction and reaches the shredding unit 95 which is a shredder. The shredding unit 95 shreds the slit piece S into shredded pieces and supplies them to the confluence unit 17. A mechanism for measuring the shredded pieces of the slit piece S and supplying them to the confluence unit 17 may be installed between the shredding unit 95 and the confluence unit 17.

[0049] Sheet P3 is conveyed approximately upward and stacked on tray 91. As described above, sheet P3 is manufactured by sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The manufactured sheet P3 can be used as a substitute for, for example, copy paper. Upstream of tray 91, a counting unit 92 is arranged. Counting unit 92 includes a sensor or the like capable of detecting passing sheet P3. Counting unit 92 measures the number of manufactured sheets P3, that is, the number of sheets P3 manufactured.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of management system 100. Management system 100 manages the emission amount of carbon dioxide emitted accompanying the manufacture of sheet P3 in sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, management system 100 includes the above-described sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, server 2, and terminal device 3. Sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, server 2, and terminal device 3 are all connected to network NW. That is, sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, server 2, and terminal device 3 are connected to each other via network NW. Note that FIG. 2 shows a part of the configuration of the above-described sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the above-described control device 40, motor 36, and counting unit 92, sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 44, a display unit 45, a motor drive unit 46, and a current measurement unit 47. Operation unit 44 includes a plurality of operation keys and receives input operations from the user. Operation unit 44 outputs operation information corresponding to the received input operation to control unit 41. Display unit 45 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and displays various information based on the control of control unit 41. Note that operation unit 44 may be integrally configured with display unit 45 like a touch panel.

[0053] The motor drive unit 46 includes a drive circuit and the like that drive the motor 36 of the fiberizing unit 31. The motor drive unit 46 drives the motor 36 by supplying current to the motor 36 based on the control of the control unit 41. The current measurement unit 47 measures the current supplied by the motor drive unit 46 to the motor 36, that is, the power consumption current of the motor 36, and outputs the measurement result to the control unit 41.

[0054] The server 2 acquires predetermined information from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 and calculates the carbon dioxide emission amount of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. Then, the server 2 manages the calculated carbon dioxide emission amount. A plurality of sheet manufacturing apparatuses 1 may be connected to the network NW. In this case, the server 2 manages the carbon dioxide emission amount for each sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0055] The server 2 includes a server control unit 2a, a server storage unit 2b, and a server communication unit 2c. The server control unit 2a includes a processor such as a CPU and controls the operation of the server 2 by operating according to a program (not shown) stored in the server storage unit 2b. Further, the server control unit 2a executes various operations in response to requests from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 and the terminal device 3 that are clients.

[0056] The server storage unit 2b is composed of a storage device such as a hard disk drive, an SSD, or a memory, and stores the above-described program and various setting data. The program stored in the server storage unit 2b includes a management program (not shown) for managing the carbon dioxide emission amount. In addition, the server storage unit 2b of the present embodiment stores a database and the like in which various fixed values used when calculating the carbon dioxide emission amount and the calculated carbon dioxide emission amount are stored.

[0057] The server communication unit 2c includes an interface circuit for performing communication via the network NW. The server communication unit 2c can communicate with the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 and the terminal device 3 via the network NW.

[0058] The terminal device 3 is an information processing device owned by the user of the sheet manufacturing device 1, and examples thereof include a personal computer, a smartphone, and the like. Note that the terminal device 3 is not an essential component. That is, the management system 100 may be configured without including the terminal device 3. On the other hand, a configuration in which a plurality of terminal devices 3 are connected to the network NW may also be possible.

[0059] The terminal device 3 includes a terminal control unit 3a, a terminal storage unit 3b, a terminal communication unit 3c, a terminal operation unit 3d, and a terminal display unit 3e. The terminal control unit 3a includes a processor such as a CPU and is configured to control the operation of the terminal device 3 by operating according to a program (not shown) stored in the terminal storage unit 3b. The terminal storage unit 3b is configured by a storage device such as a hard disk drive, an SSD, or a memory, and stores the above-described program and various setting data. The terminal communication unit 3c includes an interface circuit for performing communication via the network NW.

[0060] The terminal operation unit 3d is configured by a keyboard or the like including a plurality of operation keys and receives an input operation by the user. The terminal operation unit 3d outputs operation information corresponding to the received input operation to the terminal control unit 3a. The terminal display unit 3e includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and displays various information based on the control of the terminal control unit 3a. Note that the terminal operation unit 3d may be integrally configured with the terminal display unit 3e like a touch panel.

[0061] Next, a method for managing carbon dioxide emissions will be described. Server 2 calculates the carbon dioxide emissions based on the power consumption of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. Here, among the power consumption of the entire sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the power consumption of the defibrating unit 31 varies greatly depending on the type of raw material and the like, while the power consumption of the parts excluding the defibrating unit 31 is less affected by the type of raw material and the like. For this reason, in the present embodiment, Server 2 uses a predetermined fixed value for the power consumption of the parts excluding the defibrating unit 31, and uses the actually measured power consumption for the power consumption of the defibrating unit 31 to calculate the carbon dioxide emissions.

[0062] The server control unit 2a of Server 2 calculates the carbon dioxide emissions for each operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, and stores them in the server storage unit 2b together with the number of manufactured sheets. Further, the server control unit 2a calculates the cumulative value of the number of manufactured sheets for each operation and the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emissions for each operation, and stores them in the server storage unit 2b. Here, the cumulative value is, for example, the cumulative value since the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 was installed at the current location and started operating. Then, for each operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the server control unit 2a transmits notification information including the number of manufactured sheets, the carbon dioxide emissions, the cumulative value of the number of manufactured sheets, and the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emissions to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. Note that the notification information transmitted to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 only needs to include at least one of the carbon dioxide emissions in one operation and the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emissions, and other information does not necessarily need to be included.

[0063] In addition, Server 2 also functions as a WEB server and can present the carbon dioxide emissions to the user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 via a WEB page. Specifically, the server storage unit 2b stores a WEB page on which the above-described notification information is described. Then, each time the server control unit 2a calculates the carbon dioxide emissions, it updates the WEB page. The user can display the notification information on the terminal display unit 3e by accessing this WEB page from the terminal device 3.

[0064] Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts for explaining the method of managing carbon dioxide emissions in the management system 100. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, and Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server 2.

[0065] As shown in Figure 3, in step S11, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures a sheet P3. Specifically, the control unit 41 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 starts manufacturing the sheet P3 based on a user input operation to the operation unit 44 or the like. And while the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is manufacturing the sheet P3, if an instruction to stop manufacturing is given by the user or the raw material runs out, the control unit 41 ends the manufacturing of the sheet P3. The manufacturing of the sheet P3 in step S11 corresponds to one operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. And the operations of subsequent steps S12 to S15 and the operations of the server 2 in steps S21 to S28 in Figure 4 are executed for each operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0066] While the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is manufacturing the sheet P3, the current measurement unit 47 constantly measures the current consumption of the motor 36 of the defibrator 31 (step S11a). And the control unit 41 acquires the measurement result of the current measurement unit 47 at a predetermined cycle. Also, while the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is manufacturing the sheet P3, the counter 92 measures the number of sheets P3 manufactured (step S11b). That is, the counter 92 increments the number of manufactured sheets each time one sheet P3 is manufactured. And the control unit 41 acquires the number of manufactured sheets from the counter 92 after the manufacturing of the sheet P3 is completed.

[0067] When the production of the sheet P3 is completed, in step S12, the control unit 41 calculates the power consumption amount in the defibrating unit 31 based on the current consumption of the motor 36 measured by the current measurement unit 47. Hereinafter, the power consumption amount in the defibrating unit 31 is also referred to as the defibrating power amount. Specifically, the control unit 41 calculates the average value of the current consumption of the motor 36 acquired at a predetermined cycle, and multiplies this value by the voltage supplied to the motor 36 and the operating time to calculate the defibrating power amount [kWh] in the current operation.

[0068] In step S13, the control unit 41 transmits, via the network NW from the communication unit 43 to the server 2, the number of sheets P3 manufactured in step S11, the defibrating power amount calculated in step S12, and the identification information for identifying the current operation.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 4, the server control unit 2a of the server 2 receives, in step S21, the number of manufactured sheets and the defibrating power amount transmitted from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 via the server communication unit 2c. The server control unit 2a stores the received number of manufactured sheets and defibrating power amount in the server storage unit 2b in association with the identification information.

[0070] In step S22, the server control unit 2a calculates the defibrating power amount [kWh / sheet] per sheet based on the received number of manufactured sheets and defibrating power amount. The defibrating power amount per sheet is the power amount consumed by the defibrating unit 31 to manufacture one sheet of the sheet P3, and can be calculated by dividing the received defibrating power amount, that is, the defibrating power amount in the current operation, by the received number of manufactured sheets. Hereinafter, the defibrating power amount per sheet is also referred to as the second unit power amount.

[0071] In step S23, the server control unit 2a calculates the power consumption per sheet [kWh / sheet] of the entire sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 based on the defibrillation power amount per sheet. The power consumption per sheet of the entire sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is the power amount consumed by the entire sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 to manufacture one sheet P3. As described above, since the power consumption of the parts of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 excluding the defibrillation unit 31 is affected by factors such as the type of raw material, it can be regarded as a value proportional to the number of manufactured sheets. Therefore, in the server storage unit 2b, the power consumption per sheet [kWh / sheet] of the parts excluding the defibrillation unit 31 is stored in advance as a fixed value. Hereinafter, the power consumption per sheet of the parts excluding the defibrillation unit 31 is also referred to as the first unit power amount. The server control unit 2a calculates the power consumption per sheet of the entire sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 by adding this first unit power amount and the second unit power amount calculated in step S22, that is, the defibrillation power amount per sheet.

[0072] In step S24, the server control unit 2a calculates the power consumption [kWh] of the entire sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 in this operation, that is, the power amount consumed by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 in step S11, based on the power consumption per sheet calculated in step S23. Hereinafter, the power consumption of the entire sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is also referred to as the apparatus power amount. Specifically, the server control unit 2a calculates the apparatus power amount in this operation by multiplying the power consumption per sheet of the entire sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 by the number of manufactured sheets received in step S21. In this way, in steps S22 to S24, the server 2 calculates the apparatus power amount based on the number of manufactured sheets and the defibrillation power amount.

[0073] In step S25, the server control unit 2a calculates the carbon dioxide emission amount [kg] of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 in the current operation based on the apparatus power consumption amount calculated in step S24. In the server storage unit 2b, a fixed value [kg / kWh] for deriving the carbon dioxide emission amount from the power consumption amount is stored in advance. The server control unit 2a calculates the carbon dioxide emission amount in the current operation by multiplying the apparatus power consumption amount calculated in step S24 by this fixed value. The server control unit 2a stores the calculated carbon dioxide emission amount in the server storage unit 2b in association with the identification information.

[0074] In step S26, the server control unit 2a reads out the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emission amount stored in the server storage unit 2b, and calculates a new cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emission amount by adding the carbon dioxide emission amount calculated in step S25 to this value. Similarly, the server control unit 2a reads out the cumulative value of the number of manufactured sheets stored in the server storage unit 2b, and calculates a new cumulative value of the number of manufactured sheets by adding the number of manufactured sheets in the current operation to this value. The server control unit 2a updates the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emission amount on the server storage unit 2b by storing the new cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emission amount in the server storage unit 2b. Also, the server control unit 2a updates the cumulative value of the number of manufactured sheets on the server storage unit 2b by storing the new cumulative value of the number of manufactured sheets in the server storage unit 2b.

[0075] In step S27, the server control unit 2a updates the WEB page. That is, the server control unit 2a displays the notification information such as the calculated carbon dioxide emission amount on the WEB page. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the server control unit 2a adds the identification information A1 representing the current operation, the number of manufactured sheets A2 in the current operation received in step S21, and the carbon dioxide emission amount A3 in the current operation calculated in step S25 to the WEB page A0. Further, the server control unit 2a changes the cumulative value A4 of the number of manufactured sheets and the cumulative value A5 of the carbon dioxide emission amount to the new cumulative values calculated in step S26.

[0076] After this, the user can cause the terminal display unit 3e to display the number of sheets manufactured and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the current operation, the new cumulative value of the number of sheets manufactured, and the new cumulative value of the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by accessing a web page from the terminal device 3 via the network NW. Thus, displaying the calculated amount of carbon dioxide emissions on the web page is an example of notifying the user of the calculated amount of carbon dioxide emissions via the network NW. Also, displaying the cumulative value of the calculated amount of carbon dioxide emissions on the web page is an example of notifying the user of the cumulative value of the calculated amount of carbon dioxide emissions via the network NW. Therefore, the operation of the server 2 in step S27 can be rephrased as transmitting the calculated amount of carbon dioxide emissions and its cumulative value to the terminal device 3 in the form of a web page via the network NW.

[0077] In step S28, the server control unit 2a transmits the notification information such as the calculated amount of carbon dioxide emissions to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 via the network NW. Specifically, the server control unit 2a transmits the number of sheets manufactured and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the current operation, the new cumulative value of the number of sheets manufactured, and the new cumulative value of the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, together with the identification information, to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 via the server communication unit 2c.

[0078] Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 41 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 receives the notification information transmitted from the server 2 via the communication unit 43 in step S14.

[0079] Then, in step S15, the control unit 41 causes the display unit 45 to display the received notification information, that is, the number of sheets manufactured and the carbon dioxide emission amount in the current operation, the new cumulative value of the number of sheets manufactured, and the new cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emission amount, and ends the flow. In this way, transmitting the calculated carbon dioxide emission amount to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 via the network NW and displaying it on the display unit 45 visible to the user is an example of notifying the user of the calculated carbon dioxide emission amount via the network NW. Further, transmitting the cumulative value of the calculated carbon dioxide emission amount to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 via the network NW and displaying it on the display unit 45 visible to the user is an example of notifying the user of the cumulative value of the calculated carbon dioxide emission amount via the network NW. If the control unit 41 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 manages the number of sheets manufactured and the cumulative value of the number of sheets manufactured, it is not necessary to transmit the number of sheets manufactured and the cumulative value of the number of sheets manufactured from the server 2 to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0080] As described above, according to the method for managing carbon dioxide emissions of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0081] According to the present embodiment, the carbon dioxide emission amount of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is calculated based on the current consumption of the motor 36 of the defibrating unit 31 and notified to the user. Therefore, the user can grasp the carbon dioxide emission amount of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. Here, among the total power consumption of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the power consumption of the defibrating unit 31 varies greatly depending on the type of raw material and the like, while the power consumption of parts other than the defibrating unit 31 is hardly affected by the type of raw material and the like. For this reason, even without measuring the current consumption of parts other than the defibrating unit 31, the total power consumption of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, that is, the carbon dioxide emission amount, can be accurately estimated from the current consumption of the defibrating unit 31. Thereby, the carbon dioxide emission amount can be easily calculated with a simple configuration.

[0082] Further, according to the present embodiment, since the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emission amount is notified to the user, the user can grasp the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emission amount in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0083] Further, according to the present embodiment, the first unit power consumption per sheet of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 excluding the defibrating unit 31 is stored in the server 2. Therefore, the server 2 can easily calculate the apparatus power consumption, which is the total power consumption of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, from the second unit power consumption, which is the defibrating power consumption per sheet.

[0084] Further, according to the present embodiment, since the carbon dioxide emission amount calculated by the server 2 is displayed on the display unit 45 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the user can easily grasp the carbon dioxide emission amount.

[0085] Further, according to the present embodiment, since the carbon dioxide emission amount calculated by the server 2 is displayed on the terminal device 3 owned by the user, the user can grasp the carbon dioxide emission amount even at a position away from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0086] The present embodiment is based on the above configuration, but partial changes or omissions of the configuration can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. Also, the present embodiment and the modification examples described below can be implemented in combination with each other as long as there is no technical contradiction. Hereinafter, the modification examples will be described.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the server 2 notifies the user of the notification information including both the carbon dioxide emission amount in one operation and the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emission amount. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, it may be an embodiment of notifying only the carbon dioxide emission amount in one operation out of the two, or an embodiment of notifying only the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emission amount. Further, the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emission amount is not limited to the cumulative value since the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is installed, and may be the cumulative value in a predetermined period such as a day, a week, a month, or a year. That is, the carbon dioxide emission amount notified to the user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 via the network NW may be the carbon dioxide emission amount in one operation, the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emission amount in a predetermined period, or the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emission amount since the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is installed. Also, a plurality of these may be notified.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the server 2 updates the WEB page in step S27 and transmits the notification information to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 in step S28. However, an embodiment of executing only one of these may be sufficient.

[0089] In the above embodiment, when a plurality of sheet manufacturing apparatuses 1 are connected to the network NW, the server 2 may manage the calculated carbon dioxide emission amount in association with the apparatus identification information for identifying the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the server 2 transmits the notification information such as the calculated carbon dioxide emission amount to the terminal device 3 in the form of a WEB page. However, the transmission form is not limited to the WEB page. For example, it may be transmitted via a predetermined application program installed in the terminal device 3, or may be transmitted in another form such as an e-mail.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0091] 1... Sheet manufacturing apparatus, 2... Server, 2a... Server control unit, 2b... Server storage unit, 2c... Server communication unit, 3... Terminal device, 3a... Terminal control unit, 3b... Terminal storage unit, 3c... Terminal communication unit, 3d... Terminal operation unit, 3e... Terminal display unit, 11... Raw material inlet, 13... Buffer tank, 15... Quantitative supply unit, 15a... Meter, 17... Confluence section, 21, 23, 24, 25... Pipes, 31... Defibering section, 32... Separation section, 33... Mixing section, 35... Recovery section, 36... Motor, 38... Compressor, 40... Control device, 41... Control unit, 42... Storage unit, 43... Communication unit, 44... Operation unit, 45... Display unit, 46... Motor drive unit, 47... Current measurement unit, 50... Deposition section, 51... Housing, 53... Drum member, 55... Blade member, 59... Suction section, 61... First conveying section, 61a... Mesh belt, 62... Second conveying section, 65... First humidifying section, 66... Second humidifying section, 67... Water supply section, 68... Drainage section, 70... Forming section, 71... First forming roller, 72... Second forming roller, 81... First cutting section, 82... Second cutting section, 91... Tray, 92... Counting section, 95... Shredding section, 100... Management system, 101... First unit, 102... Second unit, 103... Third unit, A0... Web page, A1... Identification information, A2... Number of sheets manufactured, A3... Carbon dioxide emissions, A4... Cumulative value of the number of sheets manufactured, A5... Cumulative value of carbon dioxide emissions, C... Waste paper, M... Mist, NW... Network, P1, P2, P3... Sheets, S... Slit pieces, W... Web.

Claims

1. A method for managing carbon dioxide emissions in a management system having a sheet manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a sheet and a server connected to the sheet manufacturing apparatus via a network, comprising: The sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a defibrating unit that defibrates a raw material by driving a motor, a current measuring unit that measures a current consumed by the motor, and a counting unit that counts the number of sheets manufactured. For each operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus, Based on the current consumed by the motor measured by the current measuring unit, calculate the defibrating power consumption, which is the power consumption of the defibrating unit. Transmit the number of manufactured sheets and the defibrating power consumption to the server via the network. For each operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus, the server Based on the number of manufactured sheets and the defibrating power consumption, calculate the total power consumption of the sheet manufacturing apparatus, which is the apparatus power consumption. Based on the apparatus power consumption, calculate the carbon dioxide emissions of the sheet manufacturing apparatus. A method for managing carbon dioxide emissions, which notifies the user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus of the calculated carbon dioxide emissions via the network.

2. The method for managing carbon dioxide emissions according to claim 1, wherein The server Calculates the cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emissions for each operation, and Notifies the user of the calculated cumulative value of the carbon dioxide emissions via the network.

3. The method for managing carbon dioxide emissions according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The server Stores the first unit power consumption, which is the power consumption per sheet of the sheet manufacturing apparatus excluding the defibrating unit, Based on the number of manufactured sheets and the defibrating power consumption, calculate the second unit power consumption, which is the defibrating power consumption per sheet, By adding the first unit power consumption and the second unit power consumption, calculate the power consumption per sheet of the entire sheet manufacturing apparatus, and Calculate the apparatus power consumption by multiplying the power consumption per sheet of the entire sheet manufacturing apparatus by the number of manufactured sheets.

4. The method for managing carbon dioxide emissions according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a display unit, and The server transmits the calculated carbon dioxide emissions to the sheet manufacturing apparatus via the network. The sheet manufacturing apparatus is a method for managing carbon dioxide emissions that causes the received carbon dioxide emissions to be displayed on the display unit.

5. A method for managing carbon dioxide emissions according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a terminal device owned by the user is connected to the network, and the server transmits the calculated carbon dioxide emissions to the terminal device via the network. A method for managing carbon dioxide emissions.

Images