Plasma Chromatography (trademark) and Dynamite Vapor Detection.
Abstract
This experimental study shows that instrumentation using existing Plasma Chromatography (trademark) (PC) is a realistic base upon which to construct a practical dynamite detection system. In general, the path which the dynamite vapors must follow from the stick to the PC inlet is important, because high PC sensitivity to dynamite vapors can provide a high sensitivity system only if there are moderate losses. A difficult, but practical, problem is to detect the presence of dynamite in a suitcase. Tests indicated that 5% changes in local air pressure around a typical suitcase would give PC signals about 200 times over background, and the released vapors should be restricted to a region around the suitcase during the time required for the PC examination. Characteristic examination times for a typical cubicle full of baggage is estimated to be 30 seconds to a minute, depending on the cubicle size, pressure changes, and response time for particular components of the equipment. Examination for dynamite aboard aircraft is like the cubicle problem, except that aircraft compartments are used, and PC sampling compares vapors of the input and output airstreams. Several characteristic PC signatures were obtained during the study. A nitric acid product, apparently derived from the natural decay of dynamite, gave the most sensitive response of all the dynamite effluvia and may have implication for detection of different makes of dynamite. No basic interfering vapors were found from alcohol, perfume, shoe polish, or shaving lotion. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0903108
Entities
People
- W. D. Kilpatrick