SBIR-STTR Award

The current US Air Force High Speed Test Track SPOT velocity measurement system needs improvement in several areas to increase its operational readiness and reduce permission setup time. Far West Sensor Corp. has developed an innovative system concept using fiber optic links to couple magnetic sensors at the track to data capture electronics. The system offers improved measurement performance, is more lightning-resistant, allows automated pre-mission checkout, and is intrinsically more redundant than the current SPOT system. During Phase I, we will develop a prototype magnetic sensor/fiber optic link to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. A design of a full system is also created with input from Test Track personnel. In Phase II, a segment of the track is instrumented with the new sensors, and their performance is measured in the Test Track environment.

Dentists use amalgam from capsules containing up to 400 mg of mercury for tooth restoration. According to recent studies in Europe and USA, dental waste water is a large source of mercury in the sewer system. Consequently, it's necessary to treat the dental waste water before discharge to sewer system. Dental waste water contains insoluble amalgam particles and soluble mercury. Currently available technologies, such as centrifuge and filtration, can only remove insoluble amalgam particles, leaving soluble mercury in waste water. Consequently, a technology needs to be identified to simultaneously remove insoluble amalgam particles and soluble mercury. The goal of the AF Phase I SBIR program was to demonstrate the technical feasibility of reducing total mercury concentraction to 50 ppb, as defined in the Phase I solicitation. Our Phase I investigation demonstrated the technical and economic feasibility of simultaneous removal of insoluble amalgam particles and soluble mercury from dental waste water with our novel electrochemical based "ElectroCLEANtm" process. Specific ally, waste water from the dental clinic at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) was treated and total mercury concentration (insoluble + soluble) was decreased from 18 ppm to 32 ppb, exceeding the 50 ppb limit set by many local water boards. The operating cost for treatment of 20 gallons of waste water from 18 ppm to 30 ppb is approximately $1/day. In Phase II, we will optimize our ElectroCLEANtm Dental Waste Water Cleaning System, and develop a simple electrochemical based mercury monitoring technique. This technique will allow mercury determination between 20 ppb to 1 ppm and will be integrated into a feedback process control system for the fully automated ElectroCLEANtm unit. In addition, we will explore options for the collection of the amalgam waste products after the ElectroCLEANtm Dental Waste.

Keywords:
MAGNETIC SENSOR HYPERSONIC TESTING FIBER OPTICS