Release of Explosive-Related Vapors from Land Mines
Abstract
Canine detection of buried land mines is thought to be an olfactory process, and efforts are now underway to develop electronic sensing of explosive vapors. Because the quantity and identity of these vapors is critical, the fluxes of explosive-related vapors from several types of land mine have been measured. The flux is in turn subject to a number of environmental constraints. Here, the influence of temperature over a range of -4 to 34 deg C is reported. To obtain these measurements, the land mines were confined in bags made of polyvinylfluoride (Tedlar) or submerged in water. Emitted vapors collected on the bag surfaces or in water were subsequently determined by HPLC-UV. Fluxes of TNT and its volatile impurities or RDX are well described by a simple exponential of temperature and were related to the size, type of casing, and the degree to which it was sealed. These tests also revealed the importance of water or as an environmental influence. Decreased fluxes in air compared to water were probably caused by mass transport resistance. In most cases, 2, 4-DNT was the principal component of the signature.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA391291
Entities
People
- Daniel C. Leggett
- James H. Cragin
- Thomas F. Jenkins
- Thomas Ranney
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center