Effects of Complex Features, Surfaces, and Interfaces on Post-Decontamination Vapor Emission from Contaminated Materials
Abstract
Complex features such as capillaries, screw threads, and material interfaces may act to entrain chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and resist decontamination. Representative features of various sizes and geometries for both bare and painted metals were contaminated with the CWA simulant 2,5-lutidine, and the vapor emission rate was determined using atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry. It was found that complex features composed of either bare metals (i.e., steel) or painted materials (i.e., polyurethane-based paint applied to steel) gave significantly different vapor emission profiles when compared with the same materials in a flat configuration. Contaminants entrained in capillary features were not completely removed using a water-rinse procedure, which would result in significant vapor emission risk. Scale-up calculations showed that small levels of capillary entrainment may account for a significant portion of the post-decontamination vapor hazard. These studies demonstrate that decontamination of complex features must be considered in decontaminant development and hazard assessments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1157423
Entities
People
- Brent A Mantooth
- Neil A. Hawbaker
- Thomas P. Pearl
Organizations
- United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command