VOC Reduction and Management Activities in the Cabin

Keigo Kii･Masanao Kanaga･Tsukasa Shinohara (J-BUS)･Kouichi Tatsu (Isuzu Motors)･Naohide Shinohara･Aya Iwai (AIST)･Masahiro Tokumura (University of Shizuoka)･Kunihiro Hoshino (ENV Science Trading)･Shinsuke Usui (Kaneka Techno Research)

We are working on VOC reduction activities as part of our efforts to create cars that are considering the environment in the cabin.
The purpose of this activity is to provide all users with high-quality and low VOC emission vehicles.
This activity strive to improve technology that predicts VOC emissions in the cabin at the design stage and technology that suppresses and reduces the affect of pollution at the manufacturing stage.

Study of Alternative Carrier Gas for Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
-Method for Analyzing the Cabin Air Chamber Quality by TD-GC/MS with Alternative Carrier Gas (2)-

Koichi Tatsu (Isuzu Motors)･Sadao Nakamura･Takeshi Serino (Agilent Technologies Japan)･Kunihiro Hoshino (ENV Science Trading)

Helium is a chemically inert noble gas used in thermal desorption-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (TD-GC/MS) to measure cabin air quality. As all of helium supplied in Japan is imported, there exists the risk in instability of supply. Optimization of analytical methods using nitrogen as an alternative carrier gas to helium was discussed.

Prediction of the Quantity of Vapor Displaced into the Canister during Automobile Refueling
-Prediction Formula for Vapor Displacement during Refueling-

Masanori Sakurai (Nissan Motor / Kanagawa University)･Yuji Yamada (Nissan Motor)･Hiroyuki Ito･Yuji Nakanishi･Toru Yamazaki (Kanagawa University)

Efficient fuel system design requires predicting the air entrainment flow rate into the fuel tank and understanding the mixed gas state changes. This study focuses on the vapor generated by entrained air, developing a formula to predict vapor displacement into a canister during refueling. The model includes gas state changes and displacement processes, applying gas laws and considering recirculation line effects and temperature variations. The derived formula accurately predicts vapor displacement quantities, as confirmed by comparison with actual vehicle measurements.

Fundamental Study of Gas Sensor Evaluation Method for Visualization of Vehicle Cabin Air Quality

Satoru Dohshi･Reiko Yamashita･Hinako Sakai･Yui Horiguchi (Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology)･Naohide Shinohara (AIST)･Koichi Tatsu (Isuzu Motors / AIST)

In order to visualize vehicle cabin air quality, particularly VOCs and odors, it is essential to measure these concentrations continuously. For this purpose, it is necessary to employ gas sensors, although the sensitivity, resolution, and response to the guideline concentrations of VOCs in the vehicle cabin have not yet been clarified. This study reports the construction of an evaluation system designed to investigate the sensitivity, resolution, and individual differences of gas sensors.