Systems and methods for implementing advanced agent monitoring using a heated vaporizer inlet apparatus

摘要

A system and method are provided for implementing an advanced monitoring scheme to detect a localized presence of particular target substances, including toxic chemical agents, in a space, and particularly for detecting and monitoring a presence of chemical agents that are absorbed into porous or semi-porous products and surfaces in the space when it is determined that potential chemical agent exposure has occurred. A heated vaporizer inlet apparatus provides a sensor source that is optimized for the detection of less volatile chemical agents, and particular less volatile chemical agents, that have been absorbed by materials with porous compositions or surfaces. The heated vaporizer inlet apparatus is used for heating architectural surfaces that were exposed to chemical agents in an effort to substantially increase a vapor pressure of a target substance disposed on or absorbed in a particular target surface.

主权项

1. A method for providing an air sample associated with a contamination level of a target surface to an analyzer, comprising:
directing a stream of air along a first air flow path in a device between an air supply source and an exit opening at an end of the device; controlling, with a processor, a flow rate of the stream of air by controlling a pressure of air from the air supply source; heating the stream of air upstream of the exit opening at the end of the device; directing the stream of heated air from the exit opening toward a target surface, an impingement of the stream of heated air on the target surface causing a release of a target substance by raising a vapor pressure of the target substance, at least a portion of the target substance being entrained in the stream of heated air; collecting a volume of return air via a second air flow path in the device, the volume of return air being at least a portion of the stream of heated air with the at least the portion of the target substance entrained therein, the second air flow path being a separate and distinct air flow path from the first air flow path; directing the return air via the second air flow path to an air analyzer for analysis of the target substance as an indication of a contamination level of the target surface; receiving feedback, with the processor, from the air analyzer regarding a volume of entrained components from the target substance detected in the return air; and adjusting, with the processor, a flow rate and a temperature of the stream of heated air based on the feedback.