Patent ID: 6051436
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: G01N,Y02A,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for analyzing a sample of solid material for the presence of nitro-containing compositions thereon, said method comprising the steps of:providing an ultraviolet light source for generating ultraviolet light;providing a sample of solid material comprising an uncovered and exposed surface, said uncovered and exposed surface allowing said ultraviolet light from said ultraviolet light source to be applied to said solid material without passing through any intervening structures;positioning said ultraviolet light source directly above said uncovered and exposed surface of said solid material in order to create an uninterrupted gap between said solid material and said light source;activating said ultraviolet light source so that said light source delivers said ultraviolet light into said gap and onto said uncovered and exposed surface of said solid material without interruption by any intervening structures, said ultraviolet light photolytically dissociating any of said nitro-containing compositions on said solid material into gaseous nitrogen oxides, said gaseous nitrogen oxides rising upwardly from said surface of said solid material;providing gas detector means for detecting gaseous nitrogen oxides;positioning at least a portion of said gas detector means above said uncovered and exposed surface of said solid material in order to create an uninterrupted gap between said solid material and said gas detector means so that any of said gaseous nitrogen oxides generated during delivery of said ultraviolet light onto said solid material will enter into said portion of said gas detector means without interruption by any intervening structures; andactivating said gas detector means in order to determine if any of said gaseous nitrogen oxides were generated during delivery of said ultraviolet light onto said solid material.