Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Air force site characterization and analysis penetrometer system (AFSCAPS): Laser-induced fluorescence cone penetrometer - system development and evaluation. Volume 1. Final tech report, March-November 1992

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:121838
A prototype Laser-Induced Fluorescence-Electronic Cone Penetrometer Test (LIF-CPT) system was demonstrated at Tinker Air Force Base Tinker (AFB), Oklahoma as an innovative technology for delineating soil contamination resulting from fuel spills. Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) and North Dakota State University conducted the development program for the Air Force using LIF-CPT components developed within the Tri-Service Site Characterization and Analysis Penetrometer System (SCAPS) effort. Major components of the system consisted of ARA`s cone penetrometer system coupled with North Dakota State University`s tunable laser fluorimeter. To enable rapid, efficient and minimally invasive site characterization, the LIF-CPT probe data output was linked to ARA`s realtime analysis system with three dimensional modeling and scientific visualization capabilities. Field testing at Tinker AFB was conducted to evaluate the LIF-CPT probe. During the testing program, 112 soundings at 8 contaminated sites were conducted. At select locations, soil and water samples were obtained with CPT or drilling technologies, and tested using analytical procedures to confirm the presence of fuel contamination, These results allowed the detection limits of the LIF-CPT probe to be evaluated for jet fuels. The Tinker AFB demonstration indicates that the LIF-CPT system can detect TPH concentrations to at least 100 mg/kg. The lower bound detection limit is believed to be lower than 100 mg/kg, but scatter in the analytical and LIF data precluded accurate determination of this bound. Research planned for the summer of 1993 will address determining the LIF-CPT lower bound detection limit.
Research Organization:
Applied Research Associates, Inc., South Royalton, VT (United States). New England Div.
OSTI ID:
121838
Report Number(s):
AD-A--294305/8/XAB; CNN: Contract F08635-88-C-0067
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English