The Chemical Threats Detective
RedWave Technologies builds products to protect communities and countries from accidental and intentional chemical threats. The handheld and portable FTIR spectrometers from RedWave are used to identify unknown chemicals by safety professionals and emergency response personnel. Unknown chemical spills and releases can come from transportation accidents, industrial accidents, residential and industrial fires, or other catastrophic events.
Many dangerous gases are colorless and odorless; furthermore, the toxicity depends on the chemical identity. To accurately assess and mediate the situation, responders need the chemical identity and concentration. Independent of the source, RedWave products can provide accurate chemical identification at the incident in real time. Both the ProtectIR and XplorIR handheld instruments use the InfraTec LIE-332F lithium-tantalate pyroelectric detector which provides a rugged, low power and sensitive detector module. It is a key component to this handheld FTIR products.
XplorIR for the Identification of Unknown Gases
The XplorIR provides emergency responders with the unique capability to identify over 5,600 gas phase chemicals at low concentrations in an easy to use, handheld package. Gases provide one of the largest dangers for emergency responders because they are not contained. Toxic or flammable gases can easily spread, causing a hazardous situation. XplorIR is the only commercially available handheld product to easily identify gases. With its unique continuous identification mode, XplorIR customers can both detect and identify a gas in less than one minute, providing the information necessary to protect people and mitigate the situation.
ProtectIR for the Identification of Solid and Liquid Substances
Like the XplorIR, the ProtectIR provides positive chemical identification for unknown solids and liquids. It is also a handheld product which is used by emergency responders and safety personnel in nearly any weather condition; it has a library of over 23,000 solid and liquid chemicals. The combination of the XplorIR and ProtectIR allows responders to respond to solid, liquid or gas phase unknowns to quickly understand the hazards they face and determine what mediation is needed.
High-performance Detectors in Action
Working in hazardous environments, the XplorIR and ProtectIR need to be both rugged and sensitive. InfraTec’s pyroelectric detectors give both uniform infrared response and a wide operating temperature range. This provides the performance needed in the difficult conditions the XplorIR product is used. The XploIR can operate from 0 to 50 °C and up to 99% non-condensing humidity. Also, the low power consumption allows the XplorIR and ProtectIR to have an extended run time on battery power; they each have a battery life of over 6 hours. Compared to other detector modules, the InfraTec lithium-tantalate detectors provide the best combination of sensitivity, stability, durability, and power consumption for RedWave’s handheld products.
Responders use a large variety of chemical sensors and detectors when characterizing a scene. RedWave’s unique handheld FTIR products provide accurate chemical identification for unknowns, which is a key to understanding the hazards present and keeping the community safe. Infratec’s rugged, high performance and low power detectors are a key component that make these products possible.
Use of Pyroelectric Detectors in Practice
One advantage of pyroelectric detectors is the versatility of their applications. Detecting and analyzing gases and gas mixtures, investigating the material composition of organic and inorganic compounds, monitoring flames – all this is of great importance in a wide range of industries. Selected examples will help you to get to know some of the possible applications and, at best, to gain valuable ideas for solving your own measurement and testing tasks.
