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Evaluation testing of a portable vapor detector for Part-Per-Billion (PPB) level UDMH and N2H4Trace level detection of hydrazine (N2H4), monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) has been receiving increased attention over the past several years. In May 1995 the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) lowered their acceptable threshold limit value (TLV) from 100 parts-per-billion (ppb) to 10 ppb. Several types of ppb-level detectors are being developed by the United States Air Force (USAF) Space and Missile Systems Center (SMSC). A breadboard version of a portable, lightweight hydrazine detection sensor was developed and produced by Giner Corp. for the USAF. This sensor was designed for ppb level UDMH and N2H4 vapor detection in near real-time. This instrument employs electrochemical sensing, utilizing a three electrode cell with an anion-exchange polymer electrolyte membrane as the only electrolyte in the system. The sensing, counter and reference electrodes are bonded to the membrane forming a single component. The only liquid required to maintain the sensor is deionized water which hydrates the membrane. At the request of the USAF SMSC, independent testing and evaluation of the breadboard instrument was performed at NASA's Toxic Vapor Detection Laboratory (TVDL) for response to ppb-level N2H4 and UDMH and MMH. The TVDL, located at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has the unique ability to generate calibrated sample vapor streams of N2H4, UDMH, and MMH over a range from less than 10 ppb to thousands of parts per million (ppm) with full environmental control of relative humidity (0-90%) and temperature (0-50 C). The TVDL routinely performs these types of tests. Referenced sensors were subjected to extensive testing, including precision, linearity, response/recovery times, zero and span drift, humidity and temperature effects as well as ammonia interference. Results of these tests and general operation characteristics are reported.
Document ID
19960013907
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Curran, Dan (I-NET, Inc. Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Lueck, Dale E. (NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
December 8, 1995
Subject Category
Instrumentation And Photography
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:199960
NASA-CR-199960
NAS 1.26:199960
Accession Number
96N19066
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS10-11943
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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