Characterization of Pyrotechnically Disseminated Terephthalic Acid as Releasedfrom the M8 Smoke Pot

摘要

M8 training smoke pots were detonated in the field to characterize the major by-products contained in the generated smoke. Previous studies on the M83 grenades had shown certain organic compounds to be present, specifically benzene and formaldehyde. With the dissemination of a larger amount of material from the pot (25 lb as compared to 360 g), organic vapor concentrations are also going to be higher. At the 8-ft sampling line, the concentrations of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide were 34, 63, 1.2, 791, and 190 ppm respectively. However, using molecular modeling, concentrations were calculated to 50 ft. This distance is specified in the operational Standard Operating Procedure as the minimal distance that must be maintained from the pot when performing routine work. All concentrations of organic combustion products at this 50-ft distance were below their respective threshold limit values, therefore supporting the idea that the M8 is currently the safest training smoke pot used by the Army. jg p3.