Tests of the Contamination Analysis Unit, Phase 2

Meltzer, M

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

关键词: Gas Chromatography;    Organic Compounds;    Space Shuttles;    Propulsion;    36 Materials Science;   

DOI  :  10.2172/15004860
RP-ID  :  UCRL-CR-151434
RP-ID  :  W-7405-ENG-48
RP-ID  :  15004860

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

Results are reported for a project testing the capabilities of a mass spectrometer-based system for analyzing in-situ organic compounds on a variety of substrates. The system, which was built and operated at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), is termed a Contamination Analysis Unit (CAU) and employs vacuum and thermal desorption of surface residues, followed by ionization and analysis with a Leybold Inficon Transpector mass spectrometer. The CAU was employed in this study to examine soils, cleaner residues, and substrates on Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) components. Project work was supported by ATK Thiokol Propulsion. Major project objectives include: (1) Determine residual propellant and liner components with the CAU after test coupons have been cleaned. (2) Determine if the CAU can detect solvent that has soaked into NBR insulation material, and if possible, determine the time following solvent application during which the cleaning agent is detectable. (3) Test CAU capabilities for analyzing non-flat surfaces on the inside and outside surfaces of the RSRM (12-foot diameter), and nozzle throat housing surfaces (5-foot diameter). (4) Determine if solvent extraction and gas chromatography (GC) approaches are able to enhance the surface analysis data available through use of the mass-spectrometer-based CAU. (5) Determine the CAU's detection limit for various soils and cleaners. (6) Determine if contact of both Viton and silicon O-rings with critical substrates will result in any visual evidence of the contact, when observed under black light. (7) Demonstrate CAU viability during routine Thiokol manufacturing operations.