A MEMBRANE CONCENTRATOR FOR EXPLOSIVES DETECTION

A VAPOR DETECTION SYSTEM ABLE TO ANALYZE ORGANIC VAPORS AT VERY LOW CONCENTRATIONS WOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO SCREEN AIR TRAVEL PASSENGERS AND THEIR BAGGAGE FOR EXPLOSIVES. THE LEVEL OF SENSITIVITY REQUIRED FOR THE DETECTOR IS BETWEEN 1 AND 100 X 10-15 G OF THE MATERIAL OF CONCERN. CURRENT DETECTORS WITH THIS SENSITIVITY ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR USE AT AIRPORT GATES. THE GOAL OF THE PROPOSED PROGRAM IS TO DEMONSTRATE THE FEASIBILITY OF USING A MEMBRANE SEPARATION SYSTEM TO CONCENTRATE ORGANIC VAPOR IN A DILUTE AIR STREAM 1,000- TO 10,000-FOLD. THIS LEVEL OF PRECONCENTRATION WOULD ALLOW THE USE OF DETECTORS THAT ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS SENSITIVE AND, CONSEQUENTLY, MORE ROBUST AND LESS COSTLY.