Technical Transfer Report on a TNT Enzyluminescent Vapor Detection System
1991
Jappinga, Elaine M. | Patel, Divyakant L.
This report describes the historical breadboard effort with enzyluminescent 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) vapor detection system. The system comprises a sample train, vapor generator, and luminescence detector using a TNT reductase enzyme. This breadboard system is the culmination of a long-term effort evolving from several programs that examined the TNT enzyluminescent and bioluminescent response of marine bacteria, antibodies, and enzymes under BRDEC auspices. This program was suspended by BRDEC because its slow reaction time (total more than 22-minutes sampling and detection time with a 0.25 part per trillion (ppt) TNT-in-air lower detection limit) and therefore cannot be used for mine detectors. This report discusses an engineering design analysis that was performed for a new configuration of an enzyluminescent TNT vapor detection system that utilizes an integrated sample-reactor module to provide an estimated TNT rate-of-response of less than 60 seconds and a 0.0025 ppt minimum detectable concentration. This improvement can be of significant value in noncountermine applications. The most feasible and adaptable current application for the conceptual system is that of enclosure monitoring (building, room, etc.) for the presence of TNT vapors. The report describes system operation and use is examined in these applications.
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