Patent ID: 6477907
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A field-portable apparatus for detecting at least one semi-volatile explosive-indicating compound in subsurface soil, comprising,an inner probe having an adsorbent material contacting at least a portion of the surface of said inner probe, said adsorbent material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene and polystyrene-divinylbenzene, said adsorbent material capable of adsorbing at least one semi-volatile, explosive-indicating compound, said at least one explosive-indicating compound selected from the group consisting of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, 1,3-dinitrobenzene, methyl-2,4,6-trinitrophenylnitramine, nitrobenzene, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, 2,6-dinitrotoluene, o-nitrotoluene, m-nitrotoluene, p-nitrotoluene, nitroglycerin, 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2-amino-4,6-dintrotoluene, and pentaerythritol tetranitrate; an outer sheath enclosing said inner probe, said outer sheath capable of being retracted to expose said inner probe and adsorbent material to subsurface soil when inserted under ground surface; means for desorbing in situ said at least one semi-volatile, explosive-indicating compound, said desorbing means, said means for desorbing in situ said at least one semi-volatile, explosive-indicating compound selected from a solvent, an inductive electrical circuit, a resistive electrical circuit, radiative energy, and a hot gas; and diagnostic means for detecting said at least one semi-volatile, explosive-indicating compound.