The Detection and Tracking of Stack Effluent with a Forward Looking Infrared Imaging Sensor
Abstract
Experimental results of using a forward looking infrared (FLIR) thermal imaging system to monitor the spray dryer stack effluent at Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Colorado, are presented. The effluent was emitted in the demilitarization process of GB nerve gas. Since the effluent was mostly water vapor with very small quantities of residue GB, a strong infrared absorber that approximated the molecular weight of GB, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), was added to the stack to aid tracking. Without the SF6, the plume extent was seen as readily by visual means as with a FLIR. With SF6 added to the stack, the plume was tracked from ranges of hundreds of yards to several miles, depending upon the meteorological and background conditions. Finally, two FLIR units, in conjunction with a mobile air sampler unit of the Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, used triangulation to successfully locate the area where the spray dryer plume reached ground level under several meteorological conditions. Furthermore, it was concluded that a thermal imaging device, coupled with a high spectral resolution spectrometer, would be useful in detecting air pollution during day or night operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADB004783
Entities
People
- Robert D. Doerflein
- Stephen R. Horman
- Stuart B. Herndon
- William J. Taczak Jr.
Organizations
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division