New membrane preconcentration devices for trace vapor detection systems phase 1

This report describes the results of a six month feasibility program to develop a membrane vapor concentration device. The device would be used to concentrate trace organic vapors in air prior to introduction to a detector instrument. In this way the complexity and cost of the instrumentation required to detect vapors emitted from hidden explosives could be reduced. The membrane concentrator involves the use of ultrathin silicone rubber composite membranes contained in a novel separation cell. Toluene was used as a model organic vapor for explosive vapors. The membrane system was able to obtain enrichments of as much as 50-fold with toluene at pressure ratios of less than 10 across the cell. However, the time to reach this degree of concentration was excessively long at 200 minutes. It appears that large amounts of the organic vapor are sorbed onto and into the membrane and adhesives of the membrane cell. It was not possible to overcome this sorption effect and reduce the system's lag time to a more useful value. Thus, this membrane concentration device does not appear to be a practical preconcentrator for a trace vapor detection instrument.