Gas-Dynamic Kinetics of Vapour Sampling in the Detection of Explosives

Abstract

The dynamic sorption concentration of explosive vapours on concentrators made of a metal mesh, and the transportation of explosive vapours through the extended metal channels are considered. The efficiency of the concentration and transportation is determined by the breakthrough of the substance’s molecules through the channels. The research methods we used were breakthrough calculation theory and experiment. When calculating the breakthrough, a mesh was presented as a set of parallel identical channels. Wire mesh and extended channels were made of stainless steel. The breakthrough is determined through the specific frequency of the collisions between the molecules and the channel’s surface. This is presented as a function of the ratio of the substance diffusion flow to the channel’s surface to the airflow through the channel. The conditions for high-speed concentration, complete capture of explosive vapours, and low vapour losses during their transportation through the extended channels were determined theoretically and experimentally. For a concentrator made of a mesh, the condition of a high concentration rate at a high breakthrough (up to 80%) was determined. The described sorption concentration is used in portable gas chromatographic detectors of explosive vapours of the EKHO series.