Topic: Heat and Mass Balance on Snow Surface – Theory and Application

Seiji Kamimura, a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Nagaoka University of Technology. His academic journey includes positions such as Assistant Professor at Nagaoka University of Technology's Faculty of Engineering (1990), Visiting Scholar at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA (1994-1995). He served as Associate Professor (1999-2001), became a Lecturer (2001-2006), Associate Professor (2006-2014) and then Professor (2014-). He has made significant contributions to disaster prevention science and technology. Currently, he serves as the Chair of the Committee of Disaster Prevention Science and Technology at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan, since 2021. In addition to his academic achievements, He is actively involved in social work, currently holding the position of Chairman at the Japan Society for Snow Engineering since 2022. His notable awards include the Academic Award from the Japan Society for Snow Engineering (Jun. 2021). He received the Award on Meritorious Service of Disaster Prevention by the Prime Minister of Japan in September 2018. His academic achievements also include an award from the Japan Society for Natural Disaster Science in 2017 for his work on the "Comparison of risk of snow damage to human life by prefecture and municipality."

Abstract: Heat and mass balance on snow surface is quite important theory to understand increase/decrease of snow mass. In engineering aspect, for example, to optimize the heat output and operation method for snowmelt heaters installed in/on the road surface, simulation model of heat and mass balance is performed with weather data and some parameters related to the heater. In addition, it is also useful for verifying the thermal insulation effect of the covering material when storing snow until summer. This report introduces the theory of the heat and mass balance and some of its applications.