Volatile organic compound sensor system

Abstract

Generally, this invention relates to the development of field monitoring methodology for new substances and sensing chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and terrorist substances. It also relates to a portable test kit which may be utilized to measure concentrations of halogenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the field. Specifically it relates to systems for reliably field sensing the potential presence of such items while also distinguishing them from other elements potentially present. It also relates to overall systems and processes for sensing, reacting, and responding to an indicated presence of such substance, including modifications of existing halogenated sensors and arrayed sensing systems and methods.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 340,561, filed Dec. 13, 2001, entitled “Halogenated Volatile Organic Compound Screening and Measurement” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 405,638; filed Aug. 23, 2002 entitled “System To Selectively Detect The Presence Of Chemical Warfare Agents”, both hereby incorporated by reference.ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT[0002]This invention was made with federal government support under Cooperative Agreement Nos. DE-FC26-98FT40322 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The federal government may have certain rights in this invention.TECHNICAL FIELD[0003]Generally, this invention relates to the development of field screening methodology for new substances and sensing chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and terrorist substances. It also relates to a portable test kit which may be utilized to measure concentrations of halogenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]In one embodiment, the present invention involves field test kits and the measurement of VOCs and may be an important aspect in developing new environmental monitoring applications for heated diode or corona discharge-based leak detectors, and the like, and for selectively screening for new substances or measuring new and more traditional halogenated VOCs in the field. The devices could perhaps be used with the plastic bag or aluminum foil covered jar sampling method described above for soil samples; they may involve utilization of the headspace above a contained water. Such use may involve water sparging to rapidly release volatile organic compounds entrained or dissolved in the water (which includes freshwater, seawater, brackish water, groundwater, as but a few different types). Alternatively, the devices could be used as a portable cost effective means of detecting volatile halogen-containing chemical warfare agents such as sarin, phosgene, mustard gas, or chlorine, and the like in air. The XP-1 has an air fan in the body of the unit, but it does not work well. Another important inventive aspect of the system involves retrofitting onto a corona discharge sensor a pump that provides a controlled and variable flow of air across the sensor and enhances sensitivity, accuracy and field operability of the device or apparatus.

[0017]The present invention may be expected to support the development of many new commercial products which may provide a cost-effective means to rapidly screen for halogenated VOCs or chemical warfare agents in the field. An important aspect of the present invention involves taking existing refrigerant detector alarm monitors, and with slight hardware modification and comprehensive analytical method development work launching them into a new commercial application with significant utility to the environmental industry. In spite of the availability of such devices, this new use is inventive, as is the method of application associated with this new use, because such uses were often viewed as impossible by those in the field. An important and ultimate goal of the present invention is to develop a field portable kit based on heated diode or corona discharge monitor technology that may be used to screen for halogenated VOCs or chemical warfare agents in the field. Such measurement or screening may be enhanced by the present invention's modification of available halogenated VOC sensors to provide numerical or digital readout indicative of presence or concentrations of halogenated VOCs.

[0018]Another important aspect of the present invention is that the detector system be able to work in an environment of varying and often high relative humidity. Response characteristics and background levels may be derived experimentally at different relative humidities. Potential interferences from aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons may be considered minimal. The detector even demonstrates a significant selectivity to halogenated VOCs in the presence of non-halogenated VOCs.

Problems solved by technology

The XP-1 has an air fan in the body of the unit, but it does not work well.

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