Method and apparatus for monitoring the state of a chemical solution for decontamination of chemical and biological warfare agents
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus for monitoring the state of a chemical solution for neutralization of chemical and biological warfare agents are disclosed. A capacitor is exposed to the chemical solution, wherein the steam acts as a dielectric between the plates of the capacitor. Permittivity of the dielectric is affected by the oxidant levels in the chemical solution, and thus a measurement of electrical properties of the capacitor is used to monitor the state of the chemical solution.
1. A system for monitoring oxidant levels in a chemical solution for neutralization of chemical and biological warfare agents, comprising:
a capacitor having first and second conducting elements exposed to the chemical solution, said chemical solution being a dielectric therebetween, wherein said capacitor has a capacitance C x ;
processing means for determining a change in an electrical property of the capacitor, said change in the electrical property varying according to oxidant level in the chemical solution; and
an indicator for indicating whether the chemical solution is in an active state having an oxidant level suitable for effective neutralization of at least one of a chemical warfare agent and a biological warfare agent, said indicator including at least one of: a visual indication means and an audible indication means.
2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said system includes a data storage device for storing a setpoint value indicative of an oxidant level of the chemical solution, said setpoint value associated with said electrical property.
3. A system according to claim 2 , wherein said setpoint value is a predetermined amount from a first value indicative of an electrical property of the capacitor in the presence of the chemical solution having a minimun oxidant level for effective neutralization of at least one of a chemical warfare agent a biological warfare agent.
4. A system according to claim 2 , wherein said setpoint valve is indicative of an electrical property of the capacitor in the presence of the chemical solution having a minimun oxidant level for neutralization of a least one of a chemical warfare agent and a biological warfare agent.
5. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said system further comprises:
means for determining a measured value indicative of the electrical property of the capacitor as the capacitor is exposed to the chemical solution; and
means for determining whether the measured value varies a predetermined amount from a setpoint value.
6. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said system further comprises:
a bridge circuit, wherein said capacitor forms a part of the bridge circuit.
7. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said system further comprises:
a charge transfer sensor circuit, wherein said capacitor forms a part of the charge transfer sensor circuit.
8. A method for monitoring oxidant levels in a chemical solution for neutralization of chemical and biological warfare agents, the method comprising:
exposing a capacitor, having first and second conducting elements, to the chemical solution, said chemical solution comprising a dielectric therebetween;
determining a change in an electrical property of the capacitor, said change in the electrical property varying according to the oxidant level in the chemical solution; and
indicating by a least one of visual means and audible means whether the chemical solution is an active state having an oxidant level effective for neutralization of at least one of a chemical warfare agent and a biological warfare agent.
9. A method according to claim 8 , wherein said step of determining the change in an electrical property of the capacitor includes:
accessing pre-stored data including a setpoint value associated with said electrical property of the capacitor, wherein said setpoint value is indicative of an oxidant level of the chemical solution.
10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein said setpoint value is a predetermined amount from a first value indicative of an electrical property of the capacitor in the presence of the chemical solution having a minimun oxidant level for effective neutralization of at least one of a chemical warfare agent a biological warfare agent.
11. A system according to claim 9 , wherein said setpoint valve is indicative of an electrical property of the capacitor in the presence of the chemical solution having a minimun oxidant level effective for neutralization of a least one of a chemical warfare agent and a biological warfare agent.
12. A method according to claim 8 , wherein said method further comprises:
determining a measured value indicative of the electrical property of the capacitor as the capacitor is exposed to the chemical solution; and
determining whether the measured value varies a predetermined amount from a setpoint value.
13. A method according to claim 8 , wherein said capacitor forms a part of a bridge circuit.
14. A method according to claim 8 , wherein said capacitor forms a part of a charge transfer sensor circuit.