Design of a Chamber for CBW Aerosol Studies with Relative Humidity and Particle Concentration Control

Abstract

An aerosol generating system was integrated into a large chamber to regulate three experimental conditions, temperature, relative humidity (RH) and particle concentration during aerosol studies. A commercial heating and cooling unit was used to control temperature. Control of RH was effected by a polymer- based sensing mechanism coupled to a fogging device. Aerosol particle size and numbers were monitored and controlled by a microcomputer-driven detector coupled to an aerosol generator. The system was able to provide precise and reproducible environmental conditions conducive to aerosol studies. Aerosol concentration control was demonstrated over a range of concentrations suitable for different requirements. Under these conditions, a BW simulant aerosol was stable in terms of viability for an extended period of time. As an illustration of the system's potential application, it was used to demonstrate sampling characteristic similarities between a glass fiber filter and a glass impinger. With the features described, the system has significant utility in aerosol studies involving threat detection and protection. This system is easily adapted to drive a dry powder disseminator to generate different CBW simulant aerosols. Keywords: Chemical warfare agents; Biological warfare agents; Biological aerosols, Chemical agent simulants, Canada.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA205623

Entities

People

  • J. Ho

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerosol Generators
  • Aerosols
  • Analysis Of Variance
  • Chemical Warfare
  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Fibers
  • Generators
  • Glass Fibers
  • Measurement
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Particle Size
  • Particles
  • Personal Computers

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Data Science/Digital Signal Processing.
  • Critical Infrastructure Protection in CBRN and WMD Threats.