Development of an explosives detection system using fast GC-IMS technology

Abstract

Development and integration of GC-IMS (Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectrometry) as a core technology has resulted in two dedicated explosive detection system configurations. The past R&D efforts that have led to the present ORION and ORION Plus explosive detection systems are chronicled. Historically, the detection of explosive compounds was accomplished with either GC/ECD (Electron Capture Detector) based systems or instruments that contained stand-alone IMS detectors. Our first generation EDSS/sup TM/ (Explosive Detection Security System) system combined GC/ECD and IMS detectors in a parallel configuration. Each detector was connected to a separate preconcentrator that simultaneously sampled a common air stream for low vapour pressure compounds (NG TNT), particles (AN, PETN, RDX) and high vapour pressure compounds (ICAO taggants: EGDN, DMNB, O-MNT, P-MNT). For the low vapour pressure compounds and particles, the detection subsystem was named the PCAD (Particle Collection And Detection system). This component used an IMS for the detector. The high vapour pressure compound detection subsystem, known as VCAD (Vapour Collection And Detection), utilized a GC/ECD detector.