Vertical flow chemical detection portal

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872350

Linker, Kevin L ^[1]; Hannum, David W ^[1]; Conrad, Frank James ^[2]

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1. Albuquerque, NM
2. Russellville, SC

A portal apparatus for screening objects or persons for the presence of trace amounts of chemical substances such as illicit drugs or explosives. The apparatus has a test space, in which a person may stand, defined by two generally upright sides spanned by a horizontal transom. One or more fans in the transom generate a downward air flow (uni-directional) within the test space. The air flows downwardly from a high pressure upper zone, past the object or person to be screened. Air moving past the object dislodges from the surface thereof both volatile and nonvolatile particles of the target substance. The particles are entrained into the air flow which continues flowing downward to a lower zone of reduced pressure, where the particle-bearing air stream is directed out of the test space and toward preconcentrator and detection components. The sides of the portal are specially configured to partially contain and maintain the air flow.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 5915268
• OSTI ID: 872350
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

vertical
flow
chemical
detection
portal
apparatus
screening
persons
presence
trace
amounts
substances
illicit
drugs
explosives
space
person
stand
defined
upright
spanned
horizontal
transom
fans
generate
downward
air
uni-directional
flows
downwardly
pressure
upper
zone
past
screened
moving
dislodges
surface
volatile
nonvolatile
particles
target
substance
entrained
continues
flowing
reduced
particle-bearing
stream
directed
preconcentrator
components
specially
configured
partially
contain
maintain
upper zone
air flows
reduced pressure
air stream
air flow
chemical substance
trace amounts
trace amount
flows downwardly
air moving
chemical detection
vertical flow
flowing downward
/73/422/