Dense Heavy Metal Aerosol Monitoring by Direct X-Ray Fluorescence
Abstract
Dense aerosols are widely found as active ingredients or byproducts in pyrotechnics, explosives, obscurants, antipersonnel munitions, and rocket engines. The Ballistic Research Laboratory (BRL) is applying a state-of-the-art microanalytical tool, x-ray fluorescence, to a new task of monitoring the mass concentrations of dense aerosols containing metals. The results obtained promise a solution for a long-standing problem in metal aerosol work - the necessity of extracting particles out of the air prior to assessment in a fashion that gives samples that are truly representative of the aerosol. The new method works directly on the dispersed aerosol and provides noninvasive concentration measurements rapidly, simply, and reliably for most materials with atomic number above 24. The potential of the direct x-ray fluorescence method has been evaluated in tests targeting a two dimensional simulant iron aerosol. The results show that, in a minute or less, one can assess aerosol concentrations from a few milligrams up to several grams per cubic meter. Higher sensitivities can be readily realized if increased x-ray doses can be tolerated. Based on these findings, developing a more advanced instrument appears worthwhile. Keyword: Metal Vapors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA209077
Entities
People
- George M. Thomson
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory