the Analysis of the Global Environment

Author: Katsuhiko Tomita; Hiromi Okawa; Junji Kojima – This paper introduces and discusses applications of the Cardy series pH meter, ion meters and conductivity meter; all of which have been developed with a new line of compact testers for chemical analysis. These products feature a newly developed sheet-type electrode, which allows measurements to be made using a very small amount of sample. The discussion centers on possible applications that advantage of this feature including: (1) measuring acid rain, (2) analyzing the fluid secretions in living bodies, and (3) determining the acidity of paper. Also discussed is the Twin pH meter, which permits measurements to be carried out either by dipping the electrode in a sample (like conventional desk-top pH meters) or by placing a very small amount of sample on the pH sensor. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.1-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Takamitsu Sawa; Director of the Institute of Economic Research of Kyoto University; Atsushi Horiba – What obligations do the world's enterprises have in the constant battle to preserve the environment and halt global warming, and what steps need to be taken? What role can HORIBA play as a leading maker of measuring and analyzing equipment? Professor Takamitsu Sawa, Director of the Institute of Economic Research at Kyoto University, and Atsushi Horiba, President of HORIBA, Ltd., discuss these issues. Prof. Sawa gives us his thoughts on possible solutions in the lead-up to the 21st century to ecnomic, environment, and energy －so called "3Es"－ problems and the paradigm shift to a "metabolic civilization", while President Horiba shares his views on how HORIBA can contribute to the protection of the global environment through advancements in technology, new innovations, and globalization.

Author: Scott Samuelsen; National Fuel Cell Research Center and UCI Combustion Laboratory (both based at the University of California Irvine); Kozo Ishida – Proceeding from the premise that many environmental problems are energy-related, and further technological developments are required to solve these problems, Professor Scott Samuelson, Director of the UCI Combustion Laboratory and the National Fuel Research Center, at the University of California, Irvine and Dr. Kozo Ishida, Senior Managing Director of HORIBA, Ltd. discuss the present and future developments intechnology that will be required to protect the environment. Prof. Samuelson describes some of the new technologies being developed to generate electricity, control combustion, and create new fuels. Dr. Ishida discusses the important role of university and industry teamwork in solving the environmental problems of the future. Measurement and monitoring instrumentation will be required by researchers working on technology to protect the environment. Both speakers agree that a paradigm shift calls for significant changes in energy generation scenarios and in industry's approach to research and development.

Author: Koichiro Matsuda – Human socoeties have succeeded in gaining material wealth, but as we approach the 21st century the current generation faces one critical issue : the preservation of the irreplaceable global environment for future generations. HORIBA seeks to contribute to this cause by providing analysis systems and technology developed through long experience in this field. This paper reviews HORIBA's environmental instrument products and technology, as a reference for technicians in these fields.

Author: Yasuhiko Joo; Japan Meteorological Agency; Fumio Watanabe; Japan Meteorological Agency; Masamichi Aono; Japan Meteorological Agency; Hajime Mikasa – Exploring the background monitoring of air pollution for greenhouse gases.

Author: Junji Kato; Aritoshi Yoneda – The environmental changes affecting the world have become a cause for serious concern. One result of this has been the increasingly important role that air pollution monitoring systems have come to play in environmental preservation. Foremost among these is HORIBA's AP-360 series of air pollution monitoring systems, which are based on the cross-flow modulation method, developed by HORIBA engineers, and the extension of this principle, the multi-flow method. These systems are capable of stable and simultaneous measurement of carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), methane (CH4), non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC), total hydrocarbons (THC), nitrogen oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the air. This paper describes the principles and applications of cross-flow modulation.

Author: Hiroo Matsumoto – HORIBA has developed a portable water quality checker (U-10) and water quality monitor (WP-100) capable of easily mesuring the pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen content, water temperature and other basic indicators of water quality. The U-10 has been designed for easy use in outdoor environments, while the WP-100 can be used for either continuous mesurements or batch mesurements. This paper will describe the configuration of these instruments, the design and characteristics of the durable, high-precision sensors and introduces the variety of easy-to-use functions.

Author: Yutaka Yamagishi – Acetaldehyde, benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, formaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene and other hazardous air pollution (HAP) components in exhaust gases from vehicles have lately attracted considerable attention. To date, batch measurement using gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, or other methods have generally been used for analysis of these substances. However, real-time analysis of such components is now much in demand for engine-purpose analytical instruments are not well suited. HORIBA has overcome many of the drawbacks and has succeeded in developing the MEXA-4000FT FTIR motor exhaust analyzer, and the MEXA-4000MS soft-ionization motor exhaust mass spectrometer. These two products offer improved design and a wide range of enhancements to the sampling system and analyzer, as well as better data processing in the control sustem, this enebling the measurement of rapid changes of gas concentrations in samples.

Author: Hiroshi Nagai – Measuring the pH level of rain is the indicator of the degree of air pollution; harmful acids in the air show up in the form of acid rain. HORIBA has developed products for measuring acid rain. This article gives a brief description of the principles of measuring acid rain using these products.