Volatile Organic Components of Air Samples Collected from Vertical Launch Missile Capsules
Abstract
Gas chromatographic/mass spectroscopic analyses are presented for the volatile organic components found in air samples collected from the inboard vents from Vertical Launch System (VLS) missile capsules aboard a 688 class submarine. Similar analyses were also conducted for a sample of the ship's high pressure air used to fill the missile tubes. A wide variety of organics was detected in the air from the missile capsules; and while no unique components have yet been identified, a significant contribution has been shown to be made by pressure-ventilation of the VLS capsules into the submarine atmosphere which is already heavily laden with volatile organic compounds. The most apparent conclusion from these preliminary analyses is that the mixtures of organic components in the air within VLS missile capsules vary greatly from capsule to capsule (and probably from time to time). Many such samples need to be investigated to provide sufficient information to judge the seriousness of the possibility of venting toxic components into the submarine atmosphere during the maintenance or firing of VLS missiles.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 27, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA218153
Entities
People
- D. R. Knight
- D. V. Tappan
- E. Heyder
- P. K. Weathersby
Organizations
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory