Abstract: A process and device for enhancing the chemical protection capability of a collective protection filter whereby the process stream exiting the collective protection filter is passed through an Auxiliary Filter. The auxiliary filter containing an ammonia removal media, such as zirconium hydroxide impregnated with zinc chloride (ZnCl2/Zr(OH)4), an oxidizing media, preferably zirconium hydroxide impregnated with potassium permanganate (KMnO4/Zr(OH)4), and a methyl bromide removal media, preferably activated carbon impregnated with triethylenediamine (TEDA/carbon). The auxiliary filter and process are configured to remove toxic industrial chemicals including NH3, NOx (mixtures of NO and NO2) and CH2O, and CH3Br.

Abstract: A method for extending the service life of a Collective Protection (CP) filter includes: providing at least one CP filter comprising a filter bed; and passing an airstream through a supplemental bed configured to enhance the filter bed by promoting reactions that facilitate the removal of one or more of chemical warfare agents and toxic threat compounds. An apparatus for extending the service life of a Collective Protection (CP) filter, the apparatus including: a CP filter comprising a filter bed; and a supplemental bed configured so as to enhance the filter bed by promoting reactions that facilitate the removal of chemical warfare agents and toxic chemicals.

Abstract: A method for extending the service life of a Collective Protection (CP) filter includes: providing at least one CP filter comprising a filter bed; and passing an airstream through a guard bed configured to protect the filter bed by removing one or more of airborne contaminants and battlefield contaminants. An apparatus for extending the service life of a CP filter includes: a CP filter comprising a filter bed; and a guard bed configured to protect the filter bed by removing one or more of airborne contaminants and battlefield contaminants.

Abstract: An axi-symmetric adapter is provided for attaching to a pre-filter bag as a pre-filter assembly for use with chemical, biological, and radiological filtration systems. The bag has an annular retention ring, with the assembly being insertable into a cavity of an M98 Filter Bank or other Navy-designated Collective Protection System filter housing. The adapter includes tang, groove, flange mezzanine rings. The tang ring has an exterior bevel edge and terminates a reverse side of the adapter. The groove ring possesses inner and outer cylindrical walls that define a circular channel and terminate an obverse side of adapter. The flange ring extends radially inward from the inner cylindrical wall for engaging the retention ring. The mezzanine ring connects the flange and groove rings together.

Abstract: An axi-symmetric adapter is provided for attaching to a pre-filter bag as a pre-filter assembly for use with chemical, biological, and radiological filtration systems. The bag has an annular retention ring, with the assembly being insertable into a cavity of an M98 Filter Bank or other Navy-designated Collective Protection System filter housing. The adapter includes tang, groove, flange mezzanine rings. The tang ring has an exterior bevel edge and terminates a reverse side of the adapter. The groove ring possesses inner and outer cylindrical walls that define a circular channel and terminate an obverse side of adapter. The flange ring extends radially inward from the inner cylindrical wall for engaging the retention ring. The mezzanine ring connects the flange and groove rings together.

Abstract: A biological hazard mitigation apparatus permitting a material handling operation in the vicinity of a work area includes a plenum pneumatically coupled and proximate to one side of the work area, a filter sized to trap biological hazards and including an exhaust port, a blower including an inlet port and an exhaust port, and ducting pneumatically coupling the exhaust port of the filter to the inlet port of the blower, wherein the filter is disposed in the plenum, and adjacent surfaces of the filter and the plenum are substantially equal in surface area. If desired, the ducting includes first and second ducts, permitting a silencer to be disposed between the first and second ducts. Methods for operating the apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A biological hazard mitigation apparatus permitting a material handling operation in the vicinity of a work area includes a plenum pneumatically coupled and proximate to one side of the work area, a filter sized to trap biological hazards and including an exhaust port, a blower including an inlet port and an exhaust port, and ducting pneumatically coupling the exhaust port of the filter to the inlet port of the blower, wherein the filter is disposed in the plenum, and adjacent surfaces of the filter and the plenum are substantially equal in surface area. If desired, the ducting includes first and second ducts, permitting a silencer to be disposed between the first and second ducts. Methods for operating the apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A system for sampling the ambient air of a selected environment for the presence of unwanted chemical vapors, such as nerve or blister gases includes an external air sampling unit and a detector unit having first and second ion mobility spectrometers which simultaneously detect and monitor for the presence of the chemical agent vapors so as to provide an accurate and quick determination of the unwanted chemical vapor within the selected environment.

Abstract: A portable system for sampling the ambient air of a selected environment for the presence of unwanted chemical warfare vapors, such as nerve or blister gases, is disclosed. The excitation for the electrical elements of the system can be originated from a battery or from an ac excitation. The system comprises a detector unit having first and second ion mobility spectrometers which simultaneously detect and monitor for the presence of the chemical agent vapors so as to provide an accurate and quick determination of the unwanted chemical vapor within the selected environment, without false alarming to non-chemical warfare agent vapors, which act as interferents. The system design also allows monitoring in the presence of electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Abstract: A system for detecting chemical warfare agents is disclosed. The system uses a detector paper that stains upon contact with liquid chemical agent droplets and spectrophotometry technology, in cooperation with a spectral filter wheel, and a processor, to analyze the stain and determine if the stain is created by a chemical warfare agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air supply system that provides filtered ventilation to a protected zone which is maintained at a positive pressure so as to prevent contaminants from infiltrating therein. The system further discloses a three-stage air filter apparatus that provides all the necessary filtering to remove contaminants from the air that may be created by chemical, biological and radiological conditions.