DescriptionAuthor: Norio Itatani; Takeshi Aoyama – This paper introduces the Model PA-100, a radiation survey meter that uses cesium iodide as a solid-state scintillator. Conventional scintillation-survey meters have used sodium iodide as the solid-state scintillator. However, since this requires a radiation-sensitive device in the photomultiplier tube, it had proven difficult to make the equipment compact, The new PA-100 has solved this problem with the use of cesium iodide in conjunction with a photodiode, resulting In a radiation survey meter that is compact, powerful, and efficient. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.3-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Ichiro Asano – Diesel exhaust emission measurement systems have undergone successive improvement to keep pace with improvements of diesel engines and rein forcements of the exhaust emission regulations. It is likely that future emission regulations will require emissions levels that are close to zero. For this reason, the achievement of a high level of precision in the measurement of gaseous and particulate emissions is a critical issue. In addition, diesel exhaust measurement has come to play an important role in the improvement of increasingly complex diesel engines and in the development of exhaust after-treatment systems. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.19-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Singeo Nakamura – Much effort is being put into research and development aimed at reducing the particulate matter (PM) discharged by diesel engines. There is now a strong demand for developing technologies that will allow more accurate, continuous PM measurement. HORIBA has been working for more than 20 years in the development and commercialization of PM measurement systems. In this report we review the various types of PM measurement technologies and provide an introduction to the latest PM measurement systems, such as the “micro-tunnel,” and the PM analyzer based on oxidization and reduction method. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.23-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Hirokazu Fukushima – Particulate matter emitted from vehicles is regarded as one of the major problems affecting the environment and human health. The first step toward reducing particulate matter emissions is to determine which vehicle operating conditions cause the formation of particulate matter in exhaust gas. To achieve this, HORIBA has developed an instrument that can perform continuous measurement of particulate matter. The instrument uses the flame ionization detection to continuously measure soot concentration. The soluble organic fraction can also be continuously measured by splitting a sample gas line into a low-temperature line and high-temperature line and then determining the difference in total hydrocarbon concentrations between the two lines. This report discusses the measurement principle and the configuration of this instrument. Based on a large amount of data collected in engine tests, we have established that there is a good correlation between data produced by this method and data produced by conventional methods, and that continuous measurement is indeed possible. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.19-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Yutaka Yamagishi – The current steady-state test cycles used to measure particulate matter (PM) in engine exhaust will be replaced by transient test cycles in near future. Horiba has recently developed a PM sampling system using a partial flow dilution method, the MDLT-1302T, to perform sampling during transient test cycles. The MDLT-1302T has been evaluated using a heavy-duty diesel engine operating under the Euro Transient Cycle (ETC) and Feaeral Test Procedure (FTP) transient cycle, and the results prove that a fast flow control has been achieved with a response time of less than 0.5 second. This paper describes the performance of the MDLT-1302T and the technical challenges encountered during its development. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.19-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Yutaka Yamagishi; Satoshi Otsuki – For the object to measure particulate matter (PM) from diesel exhaust, there is a growing interest in the feasibility of switching from full dilution method using CVS for steady-state test cycle, to partial flow sampling system for transient for tests. Bringing the partial flow sampling method into general use, it is important to clarify the correlation of PM sampling results with current full dilution method. This paper presents the results of our testing to establish the repeatability of the Partical Flow Sampling System MDLT series developed by HORIBA and its correlation with the full dilution sampling. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.23-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Nobutaka Kihara – Reduction of the particulate matter (PM) emitted by diesel vehicles is an urgent task. Reflecting smoke meters are currently the main PM evaluation method employed within Japan. This method however suffers from the drawbacks of having inadequate sensitivity for blue and white smoke and not permitting continuous measurement. Horiba has now developed as a commercial product the MEXA-130S Opacimeter, which is able to measure continuously and with high sensitivity all of the components of smoke, including blue and white fumes as well as black. This paper describes the measuring principles and features of the MEXA-130S and presents the results of performance tests conducted on it. Additionally, the MEXA-130S was used with an engine run on a chassis dynamometer to examine the correlation with PM measuring methods. Further, a diesel vehicle equipped with an MEXA-130S was driven through actual urban areas to examine the possibility of onboard measurement of exhaust gas. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.23-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Gregory A. Green; Certification and Compliance Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – As with private firms, the Environmental Protection Agency is continually searching for new ways to maximize our product while using a minimal amount of resources. Since our ultimate responsibility is the protection of the nation's environmental assets, we realize that any task we take on must have environmental benefit... (Same content is in Readout No.23-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Takasi Nagano; Rex Tapp; HORIBA Instruments Inc.; Yuichi Muroga; HORIBA Europe GmbH – In an industry that is reaching a stage of "maturity," automobiles are undergoing considerable increases in quality and diversity. Likewise, there is also increasing quality and diversity required for the functions and roles of we measurement instrument manufacturers, who assist the development of the automobile industry and make such incredible development a reality. Recently, the three leaders of the HORIBA Engine Measurement Division (EMD) in Japan, Europe and the U.S. held a videoconference to discuss what HORIBA must do, and how it must do it, in order to provide our customers with superior measurement devices. This discussion covered a wide range of topics, with the three leaders eventually reaffirming the common opinion that both "Globalization & Localization" are absolute necessities for satisfying our customers, and the keywords behind achieving these are "Power & Speed." (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.23-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Katsumi Uratani*1; Rudolf Morkl*2; Pablo Seghers Ortiz-Echague*3 et.al – In early July, Horiba Instruments Ltd. in Northampton, U.K. hosted a four-day meeting of system engineers from Horiba’s Engine Measurement Division. This meeting brought together a talented and experienced technical support team from Horiba’s facilities throughout the world. Participants were briefed on the latest developments at HORIBA and in the marketplace. They shared their recent experiences and worked together to sustain and improve the quality of HORIBA’s Engine Measurement products. On the final day of the meeting, Readout’s correspondent conducted a lively roundtable discussion with this energetic and articulate team. Many topics related to teamwork, product development strategy, satisfying customers’ needs, and anticipating future requirements were covered. This article presents highlights from the discussion and comments made by HORIBA’s team members following the meeting. The roundtable discussion included these participants: (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.23-Japanese edition-.)