USH962H - Automated stability/compatibility apparatus - Google Patents

Automated stability/compatibility apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
USH962H
USH962H US07/400,314 US40031489A USH962H US H962 H USH962 H US H962H US 40031489 A US40031489 A US 40031489A US H962 H USH962 H US H962H
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
container
materials
transducer
compatibility
stability
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US07/400,314
Inventor
Lawrence J. Kovach
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
US Department of Navy
Government of the United States of America
Original Assignee
Government of the United States of America
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Government of the United States of America filed Critical Government of the United States of America
Priority to US07/400,314 priority Critical patent/USH962H/en
Assigned to UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY reassignment UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: KOVACH, LAWRENCE J.
Assigned to UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY reassignment UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: KOVACH, LAWRENCE J.
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of USH962H publication Critical patent/USH962H/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/22—Fuels; Explosives
    • G01N33/227—Explosives, e.g. combustive properties thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L9/00—Supporting devices; Holding devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/22—Fuels; Explosives
    • G01N33/222—Solid fuels, e.g. coal

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparatus for measuring the physical properties of sample materials, and more particularly to apparatus for determining the stability and reactivity of energetic materials.
  • the distance from the top of the mercury in the reservoir to the top of the column in the manometer capillary is measured and recorded, along with the ambient temperature and ambient pressure.
  • the mercury column height and ambient temperature and pressure are measured and recorded again.
  • the change in internal gas volume is then calculated, corrected for standard temperature and pressure.
  • Another object of the present invention is to continuously monitor pressure changes of energetic materials in a heated, sealed system.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for a safe, efficient, accurate, and inexpensive device for monitoring the reactivity and stability of energetic materials.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to automatically analyze compatibility of numerous samples with reduced operator intervention.
  • a further object of the present invention is to evaluate explosive formulations and determine safety and hazard data.
  • Another object of the present invention is to measure physical properties of ordnance, propellants and pyrotechnic materials.
  • Still yet another object of the invention is the elimination of the need of the user to directly handle mercury when conducting compatibility tests.
  • samples of material are placed in a test tube, which is then sealed to a manifold.
  • the tube is evacuated and placed in a heated bath, with continuous pressure readings obtained and provided for computer analysis and evaluation. Gas chromotography and other forms of analysis may then be performed on the sample materials.
  • FIGURE shows a schematic representation of the automated compatibility apparatus according to this invention.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a conventional culture tube 10, preferably of the disposable type.
  • Sample energetic material or materials to be analyzed are prepared, measured to the required quantities, and inserted into tube 10.
  • the open top of tube 10 is then inserted into the base of conventional stainless steel manifold 12 and clamped and sealed thereto.
  • Manifold 12 is provided with three output ports: Port 14 is fitted to a pressure transducer 16, port 18, provided with a sealing valve 20, to a vacuum source 22, and port 24 is coupled to diagnostic apparatus (not shown).
  • Pressure transducer 16 is coupled to conventional data interface 26 via cable 28.
  • Data interface 26 is coupled to any desired data processor 30, such as a program operated computer which receives the output of transducer 16 in digital form.
  • Vacuum source 22 is activated to evacuate the culture tube 10 to the desired internal pressure, at which point the vacuum source is removed from the system.
  • Culture tube 10 is then placed into a heated bath 32, preferably a block 34 with a plurality of openings just slightly larger than the diameter of the tube 10 to enable numerous tubes to be simultaneously placed in the same heated bath.
  • the base of manifold 12, designated as 36 supports tube 10 in the block 34.
  • the culture tube 10 is left in the bath 32 at the desired temperature for the requisite time period to accelerate the aging process of the samples contained therein. Throughout this time period, the output of pressure transducer 16 is provided in digital form to data processor 30 for continuous analysis and evaluation.
  • Data processor 30 is programmed to control data interface 26, read the pressure transducer 16 data, perform the calculations to convert the millivolt transducer readings to PSI at standard temperature and pressure relative to time zero, and store the data on disk. Additional programming may be added to perform other conversions, provide various forms of data output and provide options to match the needs of the application.
  • the culture tube 10 is removed from the heated bath 32 and coupled to other equipment for post-aging gas analysis through port 24.
  • Other suitable analytical equipment may be coupled through port 24, as desired.
  • the data obtained from computer 30 provides time/pressure curves for the duration of the evaluation, providing data significantly more informative than two points of data developed by the prior art device.
  • This data is automatically calculated and provided to the operator in text file, print, graphic display and any other desired format.
  • This data illustrates the actual duration of the sample pre-heat, verifying the effects from fluctuations in ambient temperature and pressure, and providing information relevant to the aging process by indicating the possible pressure of multiple reaction mechanisms.
  • the design of the manifold 12 permits easy connection to analytical equipment and the introduction of custom gas mixes or specific contaminants to observe their effects on the reactions present during the aging process.
  • the time/pressure curves and the ability to perform additional analysis on the aged material makes the apparatus highly applicable to areas of chemical stability and compatibility outside the field of energetic materials, including, for example, aging effects of polymers, compatibility of adhesives with substrate materials, and the effects of contaminants and specific atmospheres on micro-organism metabolism.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Measuring Or Testing Involving Enzymes Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)

Abstract

Various samples of energetic materials are placed in multiple disposable culture tubes to simultaneously monitor and deterine their stability, reactivity, and compatibility. Each tube is evacuated and heated to accelerate aging of the samples, while a pressure transducer provides pressure readings inside the tube for computer analysis.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus for measuring the physical properties of sample materials, and more particularly to apparatus for determining the stability and reactivity of energetic materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to determine the stability, reactivity and compatibility of two or more materials, such as explosives, paints or adhesives, it is necessary to monitor the change of pressure of these materials over an extended period of time.
Current standard techniques employed to monitor such change of pressure utilize a mercury manometer connected to a sample tube. The materials are placed in a test tube which is fitted with a ground glass ball joint. A manometer tube is attached thereto via a mating ground glass ball joint. The reservoir on the other end of the manometer is filled with mercury. A vacuum source is attached to the tip of the manometer to permit evacuation of the interior of the assembly. After evacuation, the assembly is placed in a holding fixture with the test tube immersed in a heated bath at a preferred temperature of 100 degrees Centigrade.
The distance from the top of the mercury in the reservoir to the top of the column in the manometer capillary is measured and recorded, along with the ambient temperature and ambient pressure. At the end of a specified time, usually 40 hours, the mercury column height and ambient temperature and pressure are measured and recorded again. The change in internal gas volume is then calculated, corrected for standard temperature and pressure.
The data obtained by this technique provides only the change in internal gas volume over the duration of the test. The fragility of the manometer makes it a practical impossibility to measure the column height with any frequency. Moreover, the technique requires the handling of mercury in large quantities. Precision calibrated glassware needs to be repeatedly handled, including cleansing of melted energetic materials adhering to the test tube. Operating costs are high due to repeated cleaning requirements, the high cost of replacing breakable precision glassware, and the need to perform extensive and complicated calibration procedures on new glassware components.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system to determine and evaluate the stability and compatibility of energetic materials.
Another object of the present invention is to continuously monitor pressure changes of energetic materials in a heated, sealed system.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for a safe, efficient, accurate, and inexpensive device for monitoring the reactivity and stability of energetic materials.
Still another object of the present invention is to automatically analyze compatibility of numerous samples with reduced operator intervention.
A further object of the present invention is to evaluate explosive formulations and determine safety and hazard data.
Another object of the present invention is to measure physical properties of ordnance, propellants and pyrotechnic materials.
Still yet another object of the invention is the elimination of the need of the user to directly handle mercury when conducting compatibility tests.
In accordance with this invention, samples of material are placed in a test tube, which is then sealed to a manifold. The tube is evacuated and placed in a heated bath, with continuous pressure readings obtained and provided for computer analysis and evaluation. Gas chromotography and other forms of analysis may then be performed on the sample materials.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The sole FIGURE shows a schematic representation of the automated compatibility apparatus according to this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the FIGURE, there is shown a conventional culture tube 10, preferably of the disposable type. Sample energetic material or materials to be analyzed are prepared, measured to the required quantities, and inserted into tube 10. The open top of tube 10 is then inserted into the base of conventional stainless steel manifold 12 and clamped and sealed thereto.
Manifold 12 is provided with three output ports: Port 14 is fitted to a pressure transducer 16, port 18, provided with a sealing valve 20, to a vacuum source 22, and port 24 is coupled to diagnostic apparatus (not shown).
Pressure transducer 16 is coupled to conventional data interface 26 via cable 28. Data interface 26 is coupled to any desired data processor 30, such as a program operated computer which receives the output of transducer 16 in digital form. Vacuum source 22 is activated to evacuate the culture tube 10 to the desired internal pressure, at which point the vacuum source is removed from the system. Culture tube 10 is then placed into a heated bath 32, preferably a block 34 with a plurality of openings just slightly larger than the diameter of the tube 10 to enable numerous tubes to be simultaneously placed in the same heated bath. The base of manifold 12, designated as 36, supports tube 10 in the block 34.
The culture tube 10 is left in the bath 32 at the desired temperature for the requisite time period to accelerate the aging process of the samples contained therein. Throughout this time period, the output of pressure transducer 16 is provided in digital form to data processor 30 for continuous analysis and evaluation.
Data processor 30 is programmed to control data interface 26, read the pressure transducer 16 data, perform the calculations to convert the millivolt transducer readings to PSI at standard temperature and pressure relative to time zero, and store the data on disk. Additional programming may be added to perform other conversions, provide various forms of data output and provide options to match the needs of the application.
At the conclusion of the designated time period, the culture tube 10 is removed from the heated bath 32 and coupled to other equipment for post-aging gas analysis through port 24. Other suitable analytical equipment may be coupled through port 24, as desired.
The data obtained from computer 30 provides time/pressure curves for the duration of the evaluation, providing data significantly more informative than two points of data developed by the prior art device. This data is automatically calculated and provided to the operator in text file, print, graphic display and any other desired format. This data illustrates the actual duration of the sample pre-heat, verifying the effects from fluctuations in ambient temperature and pressure, and providing information relevant to the aging process by indicating the possible pressure of multiple reaction mechanisms.
Thus, there has been provided durable, automated, diagnostic compatibility apparatus whose operating costs are minimal, requiring only the replacement of very inexpensive disposable culture tubes. Reduced operating expense, reduced operator intervention, the elimination of unnecessary handling and increased environmental safety are further advantages of the system. The system provides for continuous internal volume analysis, a practical method of observing pressure changes over the entire process.
The design of the manifold 12 permits easy connection to analytical equipment and the introduction of custom gas mixes or specific contaminants to observe their effects on the reactions present during the aging process.
The time/pressure curves and the ability to perform additional analysis on the aged material makes the apparatus highly applicable to areas of chemical stability and compatibility outside the field of energetic materials, including, for example, aging effects of polymers, compatibility of adhesives with substrate materials, and the effects of contaminants and specific atmospheres on micro-organism metabolism.
Having thus described the invention in full detail, it will be understood that these details need not be strictly adhered to but that various changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims (5)

I claim:
1. Apparatus for measuring the stability and compatibility of sample materials, comprising:
a container for receiving selected quantities of said materials, said container having an open top,
a manifold for receiving said open top and sealing it therein,
transducer means coupled to said manifold for measuring the pressure generated within said container by the aging process of the sample within said container and providing an output signal thereof,
vacuum means coupled to said manifold for evacuating the interior of said container,
computer means coupled to the output of said transducer for receiving data developed by said transducer,
whereby when said container is heated to accelerate the aging process of the sample within said container, said transducer provides pressure data to said computer means, such that the stability and compatibility of said materials within said container may be determined.
2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said container comprises a culture tube.
3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 further comprising data interface means coupled between said transducer and said computer means.
4. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 further comprising a heated bath to heat the materials within said culture tube.
5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 further comprising block means having multiple openings for receiving multiple culture tubes, said block means containing said heated bath.
US07/400,314 1989-08-29 1989-08-29 Automated stability/compatibility apparatus Abandoned USH962H (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/400,314 USH962H (en) 1989-08-29 1989-08-29 Automated stability/compatibility apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/400,314 USH962H (en) 1989-08-29 1989-08-29 Automated stability/compatibility apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
USH962H true USH962H (en) 1991-09-03

Family

ID=23583094

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07/400,314 Abandoned USH962H (en) 1989-08-29 1989-08-29 Automated stability/compatibility apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) USH962H (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5152184A (en) * 1990-11-28 1992-10-06 Ofi Testing Equipment, Inc. Thermal test liner apparatus and method

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3941566A (en) 1975-01-10 1976-03-02 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Energy Research And Development Administration Device for determining carbon activity through pressure
US4296637A (en) 1980-03-28 1981-10-27 Standard Oil Company (Indiana) Method and apparatus for sampling hot homogeneous mixtures
US4322980A (en) 1979-11-08 1982-04-06 Hitachi, Ltd. Semiconductor pressure sensor having plural pressure sensitive diaphragms and method
US4411158A (en) 1981-04-14 1983-10-25 Ametek, Inc. Apparatus for sensing the condition of a fluid
US4425810A (en) 1981-11-05 1984-01-17 Chevron Research Company Apparatus for physical properties measurements at high temperatures and pressures
US4615225A (en) 1985-03-13 1986-10-07 Allied Corporation In-situ analysis of a liquid conductive material
US4850371A (en) 1988-06-13 1989-07-25 Broadhurst John H Novel endotracheal tube and mass spectrometer

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3941566A (en) 1975-01-10 1976-03-02 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Energy Research And Development Administration Device for determining carbon activity through pressure
US4322980A (en) 1979-11-08 1982-04-06 Hitachi, Ltd. Semiconductor pressure sensor having plural pressure sensitive diaphragms and method
US4296637A (en) 1980-03-28 1981-10-27 Standard Oil Company (Indiana) Method and apparatus for sampling hot homogeneous mixtures
US4411158A (en) 1981-04-14 1983-10-25 Ametek, Inc. Apparatus for sensing the condition of a fluid
US4425810A (en) 1981-11-05 1984-01-17 Chevron Research Company Apparatus for physical properties measurements at high temperatures and pressures
US4615225A (en) 1985-03-13 1986-10-07 Allied Corporation In-situ analysis of a liquid conductive material
US4850371A (en) 1988-06-13 1989-07-25 Broadhurst John H Novel endotracheal tube and mass spectrometer

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5152184A (en) * 1990-11-28 1992-10-06 Ofi Testing Equipment, Inc. Thermal test liner apparatus and method

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0260005B1 (en) Gas calibration method and apparatus
US5509294A (en) Apparatus for determining amount of gases dissolved in liquids
US4266941A (en) Method of assuring the quality of the results obtained from a blood gas analyzer
JPH01502360A (en) Method and device for measuring concentration contained in solution
JPH04501768A (en) Disposable sensing device for real-time fluid analysis
CA2226857A1 (en) Test apparatus, system and method for the detection of test samples
JPH10108855A (en) Method and device for quickly estimating storage life of negative pressure blood collection tube
US6119534A (en) Dynamic headspace outgassing system
US5048539A (en) Methods and apparatus for directly sensing and measuring blood related parameters
US7047832B1 (en) Apparatus for measuring gas exchange
CN102768085A (en) Temperature sensor high-accuracy calibration device
USH962H (en) Automated stability/compatibility apparatus
WO2005038450A2 (en) Method of introducing standard gas into sample vessel
US4375743A (en) Apparatus for and method of assuring the quality of the results obtained from a blood gas analyzer
US6156196A (en) Apparatus for visible, preparative column chromatography
US3661527A (en) Method and apparatus for volatility and vapor pressures measurement and for distillation analysis
EP0883693A1 (en) Method for quantitative determination of a nucleic acid in solution by measurement of the electrical conductivity and apparatus therefor
US4264328A (en) Method for recording measured values in an automatically performed blood gas analysis
US4470520A (en) Storage and dispensing of blood gas quality control reagent from a pressurized container
EP1490676B1 (en) Analyzer for automatic rapid analysis of the acetadehyde content of pet products, particularly preforms, and its operative process
US3756782A (en) Samples method and apparatus for determining carbon dioxide content of blood
CN212483469U (en) A gas chromatography analyzer
US7201874B2 (en) System for automatically extracting and analyzing residual solvents in material samples
CN202814969U (en) Disposable type consumable for matched handheld type rapid detection analysis device
CN116793780B (en) A sample preparation apparatus and method for a DSC high-pressure crucible under a special atmosphere

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE, AS REPRESENTED BY T

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:KOVACH, LAWRENCE J.;REEL/FRAME:005116/0782

Effective date: 19890823

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE