Exposive detection screening system

• US 4,987,767 A
• Filed: 12/08/1989
• Issued: 01/29/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Research Corporation Technologies
• Original Assignee: Research Corporation Technologies
• Inventors: Menagh, Douglas P., Haley, Lawrence V., Corrigan, Colin D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROSKOS, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US07/447,724
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 73/23.1, 73/23, 73/28, 73/864.73, 73/864, 73/863.81, 250/288, 340/632, 340/945
• US Class Current: 73/23.36
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2214 by sorption
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/24 Suction devices G01N1/22 - G01N1/2294 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/022 sampling for security purposes, e.g. contraband, warfare agents
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/028 Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/025 Gas chromatography
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/622 Ion mobility spectrometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0081 Containers; Packages; Bottles
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 9/007 by detecting gases or particles representative of underground layers at or near the surface analysing earth materials G01N33/24; analysing gases per se G01N

Abstract

An explosive detection screening system used for the detection of explosives and other controlled substances such as drugs or narcotics. The screening system detects the vapor and/or particulate emissions from the aforementioned substances and reports that they are present on an individual or object and the concentration of each substance detected. The screening system comprises a sampling chamber for the collection of the vapor and/or particulate emissions, a concentration and analyzing system for the purification of the collected vapor and/or particulate emissions and subsequent detailed chemical analysis of the emissions, and a control and data processing system for the control of the overall system.

Claims

1. A walk-through explosive detection screening system for the detection of concealed explosives, chemical agents and other controlled substances such as drugs or narcotics by detecting their vapor or particulate emissions, said system comprising:

(a) a walk-through sampling chamber means for gathering a sample of the environment surrounding a person or object passing through said sampling chamber means by sweeping the vapor or particulate emissions from said person or object, said sampling chamber means having an entrance and exit portal defined by at least two walls, and a convergent ceiling which opens into an air plenum;

(b) a pair of inwardly directed and vertically oriented air flow guide means on either side of each of said entrance and exit portals, said air flow guide means directing air towards a center region of said sampling chamber means with a predetermined velocity, the combination of said air flows from said pair of inwardly directed and vertically oriented air flow guide means creating a dynamic high pressure zone in said sampling chamber means;

(c) means for recirculating air between said pair of inwardly directed and vertically oriented guide means and said air plenum, the recirculating air creating a dynamic low pressure zone in the region of said convergent ceiling, said dynamic high and low pressure zones creating a region within said sampling chamber means that does not allow an appreciable amount of air in or out of said entrance and exit portals;

(d) a sample collection means to collect a sample volume of air that is swept off the individual or object passing through said sampling chamber means, said sample collection means including means for collecting a volume of air from a sampling port mounted in the plenum and centered in said convergent ceiling;

(e) means for concentrating said vapor or particulate emissions collected by said sample collection means, said means for concentrating having a first means for adsorption and a second means for desorption of said concentrated vapor or particulates;

(f) detecting means responsive to said vapor or particulate emissions desorbed from said second means for desorption to generate a first signal and an alarm.

2. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 1 wherein said walk-through sampling chamber means has a rectangular geometry approximately six feet in length, three feet in width and seven feet in height, said walk-through sampling chamber means having a conically shaped ceiling.

3. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 2 wherein said pair of inwardly directed and vertically oriented air flow guide means are six slots of one foot in length and a half inch in width in a pair of six inch diameter end columns mounted on either side of each of said entrance and exit portals, said end columns having inch and a half internal guide vanes to form exiting air into a first jet stream.

4. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 3 wherein said six slots are at an angle of 45 degrees pointing towards the center of said walk-through sampling chamber means.

5. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 3 wherein said first jet stream has a velocity of approximately 17 meters per second.

6. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 5 wherein said walk-through sampling chamber means further comprises a pair of side air flow pipes, said pair of side air flow pipes run along said floor and are connected to each of said pair of six inch diameter end columns.

7. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 6 wherein said pair of side air flow pipes each contain a twelve inch long by half inch wide air slot in the center of each of said pair of side air flow pipes, said air slots forming exiting air into a second jet stream.

8. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 7 wherein said air slots are at an angle of 45 degrees pointing upwards to the center of said walk-through sampling chamber means.

9. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 8 wherein said second jet stream has a velocity of approximately 15 meters per second.

10. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 7 wherein said means for recirculating air comprises a plurality of fans connected on a suction end to said plenum and on a discharge end to said pair of six inch diameter end columns.

11. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 10 wherein said plurality of fans are each capable of delivering 1000 cubic feet of air per minute.

12. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 1 wherein said sampling port is centered in a collection duct having a rectangular geometry with dimensions of 16 inches by 20 inches by 6 inches.

13. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 11 wherein said sample collection means further includes a transportation means for collecting said volume of air from said sampling port and transporting said volume of air to said concentrating means.

14. The walk-through explosive detecting screening system of claim 13 wherein sample collection means further comprises:

portable sampling device to collect a sample volume of air from a specific area;

a particulate collector and detector means for collecting and concentrating particulate emissions collected by said portable sampling device.

15. The walk-through explosive detecting screening system of claim 14 wherein sample collection means further comprises a sampling box for collecting a sample volume of air that is drawn off luggage that is placed in said sampling box, said portable sampling device is connected to said sampling box for drawing said sample volume of air.

16. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 13 wherein said transportation means is a pipe with a first end open as said sampling port and a second end connected to a suction fan for drawing said volume of air from said sampling port at predetermined times, said pipe can be stainless steel, aluminum or ABS plastic.

17. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 16 wherein said concentrating means comprises a primary preconcentrator.

18. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 17 wherein said first means for adsorption and said second means for desorption are first and second filter means mounted on a movable platform.

19. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 18 wherein said first and second filter means are movable between an adsorption position and a desorption position, each of said filter means being in line with said suction fan and operable to adsorb vapor and/or particulate emissions contained in said volume of air in said adsorption position, and each of said filter means being in line with an interface means when said adsorbed vapor and/or particulate emissions are desorbed.

20. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 19 wherein said primary preconcentrator further comprises a third filter means mounted on said movable platform between said first and second filter means.

21. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 20 wherein said first, second and third filter means are movable between said adsorption position, said desorption position, and a thermal cleaning position, each of said filter means being in line with said suction fan and operable to adsorb vapor and/or particulate emissions contained in said volume of air in said adsorption position, each of said filter means being in line with an interface means when said adsorbed vapor and/or particulate emissions are desorbed, and each of said filter means being in line with a thermal cleaning means when other filter means are being adsorbed and desorbed.

22. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 21 wherein said primary preconcentrator comprises a gas supply means for supplying a clean gas flow to said first, second and third filter means when said respective filter means is in said desorption position, and in said thermal cleaning position said clean gas flow is used to desorb and sweep said concentrated vapor and/or vapor emanating from particulate matter into said interface means when said filter means is in said desorption position, and said clean gas flow is used to thermally clean and sweep residue into the ambient environment.

23. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 22 wherein said clean gas is an inert gas.

24. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 23 wherein said first, second and third filter means comprise wire screens which hold a selected adsorbing material coated thereon.

25. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 24 wherein said selected adsorbing material is targeted for collecting explosive compound vapors or particulates.

26. The walk-though explosive detection screening system of claim 24 wherein said selected adsorbing material selectively absorbs narcotic compound vapors or particulates.

27. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 24 wherein said primary preconcentrator still further comprises a heat exchanger for supplying heat to each of said filter means when they are in said desorption and said thermal cleaning position to aid in desorbing the vapor and/or particulate emissions.

28. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 22 wherein both said first, second and third filtering means are each movable between said adsorption position, said desorption position, and said thermal cleaning position, said second filter means occupying said desorption position when said first filter means occupying said adsorption position and when said third filter means occupying said thermal cleaning position, and said third filter means occupies said adsorption position when said first filter means occupies said desorption position and said second filter means occupying said thermal cleaning position.

29. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 22 wherein said first, second and third filter means are moved by a control system.

30. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 29 wherein said control system comprises:

a hydraulic control unit and pump connected to said platform by a rigid shaft, said hydraulic control unit is operable to move said platform from a locked position to an unlocked position; and

a preconcentrator control unit which is operable to rotate said platform when said platform is in the unlocked position.

31. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 30 wherein said preconcentrator control unit is a stepper motor.

32. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 14 wherein said portable sampling device is a hand held wand which is valve connected to said transportation means by a flexible pipe.

33. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 14 wherein said particulate collector and detector means comprises:

a rotating plate, said rotating plate defining an axis of rotation and having at least two openings, said two openings being circumferentially spaced about said axis of rotation and supporting stainless steel mesh screens for collecting particulate emissions from said portable sampling device;

a collection chamber in line with said transportation means for receiving said rotating plate, said stainless steel mesh screens being exposed to and adsorbing emissions collected by said portable sampling device; and

a desorption chamber for receiving said rotating plate, said stainless steel mesh screens being heated to desorb said collected emissions, whereby said desorbed emissions are swept into a valve means.

34. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 33 wherein said particulate collector and detector means further comprises a PCAD actuator unit means for rotating said rotating plate a predetermined distance every sampling period and simultaneously controlling said valve means.

35. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 34 wherein said desorption chamber comprises a first pair of electrodes which connect to said stainless steel mesh screens and apply a current to said screens to rapidly heat said screens and desorb the collected emissions.

36. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 34 wherein said particulate collector and detector means further comprises a chemical analyzer means.

37. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 36 wherein said valve means is a six-port valve, said six-port valve being an interface between said desorption chamber and said chemical analyzer means.

38. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 36 wherein said valve means is a three-way valve, said three-way valve is an interface between said desorption chamber and said chemical analyzer.

39. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 34 wherein said PCAD actuator unit means comprises first and second stepper motors.

40. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 36 wherein said chemical analyzer is a gas chromatograph.

41. The walk-through explosive detection system of claim 36 wherein said chemical analyzer is an ion mobility spectrometer.

42. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 14 wherein said particulate collector and detector means comprises:

a rotating plate, said rotating plate defining an axis of rotation and having three openings, said three openings being circumferentially spaced about said axis of rotation and supporting stainless steel mesh screens for collecting particulate emissions from said portable sampling device;

a collection chamber in line with said transportation means for receiving said rotating plate, said stainless steel mesh screens being exposed to and adsorbs emissions collected by said portable sampling device;

a desorption chamber for receiving said rotating plate, said stainless steel mesh screens being heated to desorb said collected emissions, whereby said desorbed emissions are swept into a valve means; and

a flushing chamber for receiving said rotating plate, said stainless steel mesh screens are heated to desorb any remaining collected emissions, said desorbed emissions are vented to the ambient environment.

43. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 42 wherein said particulate collector and detector means further comprises a PCAD actuator unit means for rotating said rotating plate a predetermined distance every sampling and simultaneously controlling said valve means.

44. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 34 wherein said desorption chamber comprises a first pair of electrodes which connect to said stainless steel mesh screens and apply a current to said screens to rapidly heat said screen and desorb the collected emissions.

45. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 42 wherein said flushing chamber comprises a second pair of electrodes which connect to said stainless steel mesh screens and supply a current to said screen to rapidly heat said screen and further desorb the collected emissions.

46. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 22 wherein said interface means is a connector tube which connects said primary preconcentrator to said detection means and which carries said concentrated vapor and/or vapors emanating from particulate matter from said primary preconcentrator to said detection means.

47. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 22 wherein said interface means is a secondary preconcentrator which comprises a multi-port valve system.

48. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 47 wherein said multi-port valve system comprises a six-port valve which contains an adsorption/desorption tube connected across two of said six-ports and four gas lines, said six-port valve being rotatable between an adsorb position and an desorb position.

49. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 48 wherein said six-port valve is rotated by an electronic interface control unit.

50. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 49 wherein said interface control unit includes a stepper motor.

51. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 48 wherein the six-port valve is in said adsorb position when said concentrated vapor and/or vapor emanating from particulate matter is passed through said adsorption tube for further concentration.

52. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 48 wherein the six-port valve is in said desorb position when said further concentrated vapor and/or vapor emanating from particulate matter is desorbed and swept into said detection means.

53. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 48 wherein said adsorption/desorption tube further includes a thermocouple or thermistor for monitoring the desorption temperature of the tube.

54. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 48 wherein said adsorption/desorption tube is electrically connected to a controlled current source which is used to heat the tube to a predetermined temperature as part of the desorption process.

55. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 52 wherein said interface means further comprises a gas supply means for sweeping said further concentrated vapor and/or vapors emanating from particulate matter into said detection means.

56. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 55 wherein said detection means comprises an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) for analyzing said further concentrated vapor and/or vapors emanating from particulate matter and generating said first signal if a target material is detected.

57. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 55 wherein said detection means comprises a gas chromatograph/electron capture detector for analyzing said further concentrated vapor and/or vapors emanating from particulate matter and generating said first signal if a target material is detected.

58. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 55 wherein said detection means comprises a photo ionization detector.

59. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 55 wherein said detection means comprises a nitrogen phosphorous detector.

60. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 55 wherein said detecting means comprises an ion mobility spectrometer and a gas chromatograph/electron capture detector for analyzing said further concentrated vapor and/or vapor emanating from particulate matter and generating said signal if a target material is detected.

61. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 60 wherein said system further includes a control and data processing means which further comprises:

a digital computer with a stored digital program which is responsible for the control of the system; and

a process control module which is an interface between said digital computer and said interface control unit, said preconcentrator control unit and said control unit.

62. The walk-through explosive detection screening system of claim 61 wherein said stored digital program is operable to control a plurality of processes including said self diagnostic and self calibration processes, control of said sample collection, and processing of collected data from said detection means.

63. A method for the detection of concealed explosive chemical agents and other controlled substances such as drugs or narcotics by detecting their vapor or particulate emissions, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) gathering a sample of the environment surrounding a person or object passing through a sampling chamber by sweeping the vapor or particulate emissions from said person or object;

(b) directing air towards a center region of said sampling chamber means with a predetermined velocity from a pair of inwardly directed and vertically oriented air flow guide means in order to create a dynamic high pressure zone in said sampling chamber, said dynamic high pressure zone creating a region within said sampling chamber that does not allow an appreciable amount of air in or out of an entrance and exit portal of said sampling chamber means;

(c) recirculating air between said pair of inwardly directed and vertically oriented guide means and an air plenum, the recirculating air creating a dynamic low pressure zone in the region of a convergent ceiling in said sampling chamber means;

(d) collecting a sample volume of air that is swept off the individual or object passing through a said sampling chamber means, said sample collection means including means for collecting a volume of air from a sampling port mounted in the plenum and centrally located in said convergent ceiling;

(e) concentrating said vapor or particulate emissions collected by said sample collection means, said means for concentrating having a first means for adsorption and a second means for desorption of said concentrated vapor or vapors emanating from particulate emissions;

(f) detecting said vapor or particulate emissions desorbed from said second means for desorption.

64. The method for the detection of concealed explosives according to claim 63 wherein said directing air includes forming exiting air into a first jet stream at an angle of 45 degrees pointing towards the center of said sampling chamber means with a velocity of approximately 17 meters per second.

65. The method for the detection of concealed explosives according to claim 64 wherein said directing air step further includes forming air exiting from a pair of side air flow pipes into a second jet stream at an angle of 45 degrees pointing upwards towards the center of said sampling chamber means with a velocity of approximately 15 meters per second.

66. The method for the detection of concealed explosives according to claim 65 wherein said collecting step further comprises transporting said volume of air to said concentrating means.

67. The method for the detection of concealed explosives according to claim 66 wherein said concentrating step comprises adsorbing target materials in a first position and desorbing target materials in a second position.

68. The method for the detection of concealed explosives according to claim 66 wherein said desorbing target materials in a second position comprises the steps of:

heating said target materials to a predetermined desorbing temperature or a predetermined vaporizing temperature; and

sweeping said target materials with an inert gas.

69. The method for the detection of concealed explosives according to claim 67 wherein said step of detecting includes sweeping said target materials and inert gas into a detection means.

70. The method for the detection of concealed explosives according to claim 68 wherein said step of detecting further includes chemically analyzing said target materials.

71. The method for the detection of concealed explosives according to claim 70 which further includes the step of controlling the collection and processing of data with a digital computer which utilizes a stored program.

72. The method for the detection of concealed explosives according to claim 66 wherein said concentrating step further comprises thermally cleaning the residue from a third means for adsorption and desorption when said third means is in a thermally cleaning position.

73. The method for the detection of concealed explosives according to claim 72 wherein said thermal cleaning comprises the steps of:

heating said residue on said third means to a predetermined temperature; and

sweeping said heated residue to the ambient environment.