Abstract: An apparatus is used to determine whether a container moving along a conveyor is suitable for storing water. The apparatus includes a sampler that obtains a sample from the interior of the container as the container moves along the conveyor. A PID is connected to the sampler to receive the sample and produce a signal corresponding to contents of the sample. A controller is connected to the PID and receives and analyzes the signal to determine whether the container is suitable for storing water. The apparatus may include a vacuum source connected to the PID that produces a reduced pressure for drawing the sample through the PID. A flow restrictor may be positioned between the sampler and PID. The flow restrictor may provide variable resistance to set a desired clearance time through the PID and sensitivity of the PID.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting the emission (i.e., the fluorescence or phosphorescence) from a contaminant contained in a sample gas. In order to keep the optics of the system clean and maintain a high signal-to-noise ratio in the detected signal, the detection system contains a housing separated into illumination and sample chambers by an aperture-containing partition. A sample inlet port is connected to the sample chamber, and a purge inlet port is connected to the illumination chamber to direct the purge and sample gasses into their respective chambers. A vacuum system is connected to a vacuum port on the sample chamber to simultaneously draw the sample and purge gasses into their chambers through the inlet ports; the purge gas is then drawn through the aperture and into the sample chamber. Finally, both gasses are drawn out of the sample chamber through the vacuum port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating contraband vapor/particle detection devices is described. The invention includes a desorb site onto which may be deposited solutions containing known concentrations of one or more of the specific compounds to be detected. The desorb site, which may be rapidly heated to vaporize the particles contained in the solution deposited on its surface, is housed in a sealable chamber. The vapor and/or particles become entrained in an air stream forced across the surface of the desorb site, and the airstream is then delivered through a snout to the contraband vapor particle detector.