SBIR-STTR Award

Toxic Hazard Prediction is about aerosols--their release, containment, modification by explosives and fire, venting, transport, neutralizatization, scavenging, rainout, washout, resuspension and pathways through the environment to man. Aerosol properties change with time and circumstance, and rarely are conditions similar; deposition can vary over a wide range. No general aerosol model derived for normal clouds reproduces without serious approximation the particle growth and chemical properties of wartime aerosols. A new capability is needed. The balances regulating deposition can be shaped by agent release at hypersonic velocities, high-energy thermodynamics, photochemistry, multispecie dynamics, and interaction with weather systems. A wide range of environments. After deposition, microphysics properties such as particle size, chemical composition, solubility, and potential for ion exchange determine how quickly the toxic moves through ground and water systems to man. We will calculate those properties. We propose to develop a first-principle family of codes that give high-fidelity assessments of BW/CW effects. A key and unique capability in the family of codes we will design in Phase I and develop in Phase II is an advanced aerosol model based on theoretical and numerical developments for wartime aerosols. The first-principle codes we develop assess CBW weapon use, casualties and ecosystem (collateral) impacts from attack on CW/BW manufacture/storage, agent neutralization and aerosol warhead enhancement. Commercial applications include accident management, permit process assessments, and design of new waste incineratos that minimize toxic/heavy metal emission.

Keywords:
MICROPHYSICS CW/BW AEROSOLS MULTISPECIE AEROSOL TOXIC AEROSOLS FIRST PRINCIPLE CFM SOLUTIONS

Agent microphysics is the thread common to analyses of TMD intercept, bunker venting and slow-flyer release. High-energy release and agent interaction with high explosives or fuels rapidly force aerosol modification; at the other extreme, slow chemistry and interaction with the ambient atmosphere determine size distribution, toxicity and deposition. On some paths, both regimes shape evolution. No aerosol model currently exists that faithfully and accurately predicts agent evolution; as consequence, the utility of sophisticated transport schemes is limited. In Phase I, we developed and demonstrated a first-principle agent microphysics capability that treats with equal precision and fidelity a multi-specie agent aerosol in the fast thermodynamic weapon interaction regime and the slow drift through the atmosphere to deposition. Our analysis includes new treatments of "aerosol fragmentation physics" that sets the initial vapor-particle partition for a bulk release as well as low-energy breakup of large particles. Our plan for Phase II continues analysis focusing on nonspherical microphysics, chemistry and a new area "fragmentation" microphysics; calculates the initial aerosol cloud; and completes an advanced CBW microphysics algorithm that prescribes evolution of the agent size distribution, composition, and toxicity from release to deposition. We develop special interfaces and protocols for adding our agent microphysics code to the wide range of transport hydrocode drivers; produce an advanced agent aerosol algorithm for ERDEC and other government agencies; and construct a solution library. The opportunity here is to replace the approximate agent microphysics models currently in DoD use with a first-principle treatment faithful to the special properties, environment, and dynamics of CBW aerosols. Our advanced microphysics technology presents several commercial opportunities. We identify three product areas, potential government and industry markets, and focus on an innovative and badly needed prediction and control technology to limit heavy metal emission from hazardous waste incinerators.

Keywords:
Aqent Aerosol Model Tmd Microphysics Chemical Agents Fragmentation Biological Agents