Accession Number:

ADA281679

Title:

Development of a Dosimeter System for Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine, Monomethylhydrazine and Hydrazine

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON DC

Report Date:

1994-06-27

Pagination or Media Count:

35.0

Abstract:

A dosimeter for real-time, colorimetric detection of current and proposed threshold limit value TLV levels of hydrazine, monomethylhydrazine MMH and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine UDMHin air has been developed. The dosimeter consists of a replaceable dosimeter card and a reusable, polypropylene badge housing containing a clear, LTV adsorbent shield. The replaceable dosimeter card has two reaction sites, each containing one of two chemistries on a paper substrate. One chemistry uses 2,4-dinitrobenzaldehyde which is an excellent derivatization agent for UDMH, though less effective for hydrazine and MMH. Through a condensation reaction, 2,4-dinitrobenzaldehyde reacts with UDMH to form a colored product that absorbs in the visible region. The hydrazone formed in the reaction is yellow to golden yellow. The intensity of the color is proportional to the dose. When coated on porous filter paper and exposed passively to UDMH, the detection limit is 20 ppb-hrs. Actively drawing UDMH vapors through the paper gives a detection limit of 50 ppb-L. The second reaction utilized in the dosimeter system involves 3-methoxy-4hydroxbenzaldehyde vanillin for the detection of hydrazine and MMH U.S. patent 4,900,681. In the reaction between vanillin and hydrazine or MMH, a yellow hydrazone is formed. When coated on porous filter paper and exposed to MMH or hydrazine, the detection limit is 7 ppb-hours. Neither chemistry is hindered by a sensitivity to relative humidity changes. Badges remain sensitive to hydrazines vapors for at least one year when stored in a freezer. Interferences with the chemistries are limited to tobacco smoke and sunlight for the vanillin and 2,4- dinitrobenzaldehyde chemistries, respectively.

Subject Categories:

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Radioactivity, Radioactive Wastes and Fission Products

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE