Measurement of Toxic industrial Chemicals, Chemical Warfare Agents and Their Simulants: A LWIR Passive Standoff Detection Study
Abstract
This report presents a summary of the measurements performed using the Compact Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (CATSI) for the standoff detection of toxic chemical vapours at DSTL, Porton Down, UK in June 2005. This work is based on the passive standoff detection of chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulants, such as SF6, NH3, and TEP, precursors, such as DMMP, and toxic chemical vapours, such as phosgene and GB. The measurements were performed for a variety of concentrations and at low thermal contrast in an open-air environment. Some chemicals were released in the presence of yellow smoke to act as an obscurant. The measurements collected during the trial have been used to evaluate the performance and capacity of the CATSI sensor for detecting, identifying and quantifying a chemical vapour cloud at a distance between 500 m to 1.5 km. The results show that CATSI was able to detect and identify all of the chemical vapours, including the CWA, released during the trial. The measurements made in the presence of yellow smoke provide some preliminary evidence that some obscurants do not significantly affect the detection capability of a passive standoff sensor. The measurements of GB in the field also demonstrate that the real atmosphere has an insignificant effect on the signature of the pure agent. The work performed in this field trial is also useful for validating the approach and methodology used in the new engineering development model of the CATSI system (CATSIEDM), which will be made available to the CF in 2007.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA596421
Entities
People
- D. Dube
- E. Puckrin
- H. Lavoie
- J. Theriault
Organizations
- DRDC Valcartier