Environmental Analysis Technologies for the Management of Global Environment and the Development of Industry

Author: Yukihiro Mineno – Foreward by Senior Corporate Officer and General Manager of Sales Division of HORIBA, Ltd. (also President of HORIBA Advanced Techno Co. Ltd.) (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Tadao Nakamura – The needs of the environmental analysis market have developed considerably over the past 50 years, covering a wider range of objects, and demanding improved measurement accuracy. HORIBA has responded to these more demanding needs with advances in technology to provide analytical instruments for every field of environmental analysis. In this paper, we outline global development in the environmental analysis field of the HORIBA group. And we review the activity of HORIBA to contribute to the development of industry and support of human health, safety and peace of mind through the analysis and measurement of environmental pollution. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Masatoshi Morita; Guest Researcher of National Institute for Environmental Studies, Guest Professor of Waseda University, and President of Environmental Technology Center (Specified Nonprofit Organization), Doctor of Engineering (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Iwao Yoshizawa; Manager of Engineering Department of Dan-Takuma Technologies Inc. also Head of Keihanna Research Institute; Akifumi Kagawa – Dan-Takuma Technologies Inc. will begin to sell a continuous trace analyzer for monitoring Airborne Molecular Contamination (AMC). This DT Analyzer will be produced for the semiconductor industry as a part of the AMC control technology under contract with the HORIBA Group. This paper is an outline of AMC control technology including AMC measurement in the air inside a clean room. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Joseph Sung – HORIBA Gas Measurement R&D Department has developed a new ultra-violet (UV) analyzer MU-2000 for process applications. This product has been developed based on the increasing market demands in process UV analyzers, particularly, for the natural gas processing areas. The heart of the analyzer is a compact diode array, based spectrometer manufactured by HORIBA Jobin Yvon. In this article, with a brief analysis of natural gas demand the MU-2000 applications to this market are presented. The analyzer design features, including the spectrometer, are highlighted. A novel technique, called chemometrics that is used in this analyzer, is briefly introduced. Some other applications are also described.

Author: Norikazu Iwata – VA-3000 Series Multiple Gas Analyzer is a gas analyzer that enables users to measure three components at the same time within a single instrument. As a measurement principle, it can consist of the non-dispersive infrared method, the chemiluminescence method and the oxygen analysis method (magnetopneumatic type, zirconia type, and galvanic cell type) of measurement modules. In the measurement module based on nondispersive infrared absorption, high vibration resistance and compact size have been achieved by using a flowsensor type detector. In this article, we describe the features of the VA-3000 series as well as applications to fuel cell systems that are attracting great attention as a next-generation energy source. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Junji Kato – From early on, HORIBA has been developing and adopting various measurement techniques that are ideal for measuring trace atmospheric gas, as in the following examples. To measure carbon monoxide (CO), a non-dispersive infrared absorption method is used. To measure Ozone (O3), an ultraviolet absorption method is used. For nitrogen oxides (NOX), chemiluminescence. For sulfur dioxide (SO2), ultraviolet fluorescence. For hydrocarbons (HC), a flame ionization method is used, and so on. In addition, HORIBA has developed a fluid modulation method, which is a method to measure gas concentrations by amplifying the difference of two signals coming from a measurement cell into which the sample gas and a reference gas are alternately introduced with a constant time interval, and has achieved absolute zero-point stability with all except SO2 analyzer. In the case of CO measurement, HORIBA has succeeded in reducing the infl uence of moisture by using an interference compensation detector. In the case of O3 and SO2 measurement with a light source, in which light intensity variation over time is not negligible, it compensates for the infl uence by monitoring the light source intensity. Also, a highly productive measurement system has been developed with which it is possible to measure multiple gas components with a single detector by combining a catalyzer or convertor unit and the three-phase fluid modulation method (introducing three types of gas alternately), such as, NOX that can measure NO and NO2 at the same time and HC that can simultaneously measure methane (CH4) and nonmethane (non-CH4). These various techniques for making comprehensive measurement systems have been adopted also to measure trace quantities of ammonium (NH3) or hydrogen sulfi de (H2S) inside the clean room. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Katsuaki Ogura; Shinya Yamaguchi; Noriaki Tsukada; General Manager of O&M Headquarters System Division, NIHON HELS INDUSTRY CORPORATION – In accordance with amendments to the Water Supply Law in April 2002, private enterprises could access to the operations and management of water supply and sewage facilities in Japan. Installation of the continuous monitoring equipment is increasing for efficient operations. This is the background to the development of an automatic water quality monitoring unit which would permit remote monitoring, a joint project by HORIBA and Japanese water supply and sewage management company, Nihon Hels Corporation.The TW-100 automatic water quality analyzer carries out continuous, simultaneous monitoring of 7 parameters: free residual chlorine concentration, turbidity, color, water pressure, pH, conductivity, and water temperature.See below for further details regarding the TW-100 principles of measurement, features, and results of continuous performance monitoring. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Kiichiro Tomioka; Product Planning Project Leader of HORIBA Advanced Techno, Co., Ltd. – We have developed a conductivity meter and sanitary electrodes (two types) for pharmaceutical water that meet the conductivity requirements of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) General Chapters article 645. In particular, the flow-through type does not have any inner projections inside, which allows a full bore structure and excellent cleanability. Ideal sanitary properties corresponding to strict sanitary conditions for food, etc. are required by customers. We have concurrently developed a validation kit for performance evaluation to support the customer GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) system. In pharmaceutical processes, analyzers are not used for process control as often as in petrochemical processes. However, the use of analyzers is actively being considered under the leadership of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The trend in US Pharmacopeia is toward more reliable and safer water, and the importance of water management is increasing. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Yasukazu Iwamoto, Nobuki Yoshioka; Section Leader of Third Division of Design Department, HORIBA Advanced Techno Co., Ltd. – In the newly developed and environmentally conscious HP-48/96 series industrial pH meter, lead has been eliminated from solder joints on the printed-circuit board in the indication converter section, and lead-free glass materials have been used for the pH electrode body. Resistance of the pH response glass membrane to chemical attack has been increased by improving its composition. At the same time, it became possible to use lead-free glass but this glass is difficult to make using conventional glass processing technology, in terms of heat characteristics. The use of lead-free glass has consequently allowed conformity with the RoHS directive (elimination of hazardous substances) within the EU. This is the first time this conformity has been achieved in this industry. Though the thickness of the pH electrode is approximately 0.1 mm using the traditional type, the durability and physical strength has been improved by forming a glass thickness of up to 1mm maximum. This improves the duration of the pH electrode, especially when used in severe conditions, which results in a reduction of the exchange frequency and therefore less industrial waste. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Hiroshi Fujii; Manager of Team 2 in Design Department, HORIBA Advanced Techno, Co.,Ltd.; Takeshi Kobayashi – The most important matter among water pollution indicators is organic pollutant. In Japan, since the fi rst water quality total pollutant load control regulation was issued in 1979, organic pollutants have been continuously monitored, which has resulted in some improvement of water quality. On the other hand, Asian countries, especially China, rapid industrial growth has been accompanied by corresponding increases in water pollution. Thus, introduction of water quality regulations similar to the Japanese regulations are required. This article introduces the technology for measuring water pollutant levels and the OPSA-150, organic pollutant monitor manufactured by HORIBA. OPSA-150 is an ultraviolet absorptiometer (UV meter), which is a new version of the OPSA-120, common in the Japanese market for more than 20 years. While following the well-tried rotary cell length modulation method, wiper cleaning method, and turbidity compensating function by means of visible radiation, OPSA-150 also excels in measurement of both low and high concentrations. It can be used in diverse fi elds including extremely contaminated water discharge sites. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Susumu Yamauchi; Manager of Engineering Department, HORIBA Advanced Techno Co.,Ltd. – For the purpose of global environment conservation, the Japan's Fifth Water Quality Total Pollutant Load Control Regulation has made it mandatory to measure the water pollution loads (multiplying concentration by drainage volume) of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in wastewater from business premises. In response to this regulation, HORIBA developed the Automated Total Nitrogen/Total Phosphorus Analyzer that has helped effect a great reduction in environmental loads. We have improved our conventional ultraviolet radiation oxidative dissolution method further, and through reducing the quantity of measurement samples, we achieved the reduction of costs in management and maintenance for materials such as reaction reagents (a reduction of up to 10 %). In addition, HORIBA has incorporated a lot of its unique technologies adopting a dissolution/measurement cell integrated architecture. This concept has gained the support of many users, and 1000 or more units are currently working in their fields playing their part in water pollution monitoring. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Mitsuru Honjo; Takeshi Mori – Water pollution is a serious global environmental problem. However, measurements of pollution used to be started only after it revealed. One of the reasons is that water quality analysis requires substantial facilities. In addition to the analytical equipment, each measuring point requires a building to house the equipment, establishment of telemetry devices with dedicated line networks and works for water sampling, all costing around tens of millions of yen in capital investment. We have realized a system of low cost continuous monitoring of water quality at multiple points with its U-20AQ Series Remote Monitoring System. It is composed of the U/W-20XD Series Water Quality Monitoring System that can make simultaneous analyses of 13 parameters, and a solar powered remote monitoring device with wireless transmitter. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Hiroshi Mizutani; Kazuya Matsushita – The Japanese Air Pollution Control Law was revised on June 1, 2005 and established emission regulations for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The Portable VOC Analyzer FV-250, which makes use of the Flame Ionization Detection (FID) method (suitable for both indoor and on-site use), was developed for the purpose of measuring VOCs. This article describes the FID principle, the configuration and the features of the FV-250, and the application of VOC emission regulations to facilities covered by the legislation when they came into effect in April 2006. （Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Chon In Ho; Section Leader of P&E Team, HORIBA Korea Ltd. – This article covers the requirements and the relevant time periods of the stack emission gas regulations stated in the Atmospheric Environment Preservation Act in Korea and the efforts made by HORIBA Korea Ltd. (HK) in the Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) market there. To meet the demand of clients and the market, total solutions including installation of flow meters and dust meters need to be provided as well as gas analysis systems. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Hu Li – Since the 1980's, China's heavy industry and chemical industrial infrastructure has been expanding as a result of nationwide economic growth and it has resulted in serious environmental pollution. As one of the measures for environmental protection, the need for environmental measurement has rapidly increased. Against such a background, HORIBA is actively deploying co-operative operations and businesses with China and is promoting environmental measurement projects over the whole of mainland China in such fields as monitoring air pollutants emission or of discharged water, water or air pollution monitoring. Particularly, the company is driving development of products and systems that can address needs relating to protection of the local environment and provide measurement in preparation for expansion of environmentally conscious businesses. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Kazuhiko Ashikaga; Planning Department of HORIBA Techno Service Co.,Ltd. – HORIBA Techno Service Co., LTD. (HTS) operates to serve the diverse and advanced needs of customers who use HORIBA products, by providing technical support for installation and set-up, as well as maintenance, management and where necessary, repair in a timely manner. The continuous production of reliable and stable analysis is the purpose of an environmental analyzer and thus we believe that service techniques including daily maintenance are as important as the product itself. At HTS, in order to improve our service techniques, we concentrate heavily on organizing training programs about product services, building product databases, and developing various tools. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Masayoshi Ito – A new air sampler, the Mist-UV sampling system, has been developed to trap and detect metals and metal compounds present in atmospheric samples, as non-filterable metal (NFM). NFM includes metal compounds which are contained in or on fine particulate in an air sample, as well as volatile compounds. The Mist-UV system is based on the combination of two ideas, mixing the filtrated air sample with nitric acid mist and simultaneous ultraviolet irradiation of the mist. Atmospheric NFM in the introduced air samples, which were first passed through a 0.2 μm filter, were oxidized by UV irradiation and dissolved in the nitric acid mist. The trapped metals resulting from the NFM in nitric acid were quantitatively determined using ICP-MS. As a result of measuring of the NFM concentration in the atmosphere using this method, five metals (magnesium, aluminum, barium, strontium, and copper) were detected. The NFM concentrations were found to be significantly higher than concentrations of particulate metals, therefore the atmospheric importance and role of NFM cannot be ignored in the estimation of global metal circulation and budgets. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Masayoshi Kobayashi – To pass the irreplaceable Earth on to following generations, the Kyoto Protocol entered into force on February 16th, 2005. This date can be considered as the starting point for all peoples around the world to address the issue of global warming. We present an outline of the Kyoto Protocol, Commemorative Event to Mark the Entry into Force of the Kyoto Protocol, and of our corporate activities for the prevention of global warming. Global warming demands the awareness of every individual as a personal issue at work or home, and actions accordingly through fi rsthand efforts. How about reflecting upon the Earth with affection and thinking of the next generation －our children? (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.31-Japanese edition-.)