A Compact Submersible Trace Chemical Analyzer for Tracking Plumes of Chemical Explosives with Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

"This SBIR Phase II project involves the development, testing and integration of a submersible solvent extraction module (SubSEM), tested in an SBIR Phase I feasibility study, with a miniature optical analytical detection system for the continuous sampling,pre-concentration, and chemical analysis of TNT present at ultra-trace concentration levels in seawater. The integrated underwater sampling and chemical analysis system for TNT will be configured for deployment as a payload on an autonomous underwatervehicle (AUV). The resulting, commercially viable, submersible TNT analyzer will have the capability to provide continuous, real-time results while deployed in situ on an AUV or on other ocean observation platforms (i.e. moored or ship-deployedmonitoring). The capability of the submersible TNT analyzer to pre-concentrate and determine trace quantities of TNT from seawater, while deployed on an AUV, will be demonstrated in the marine environment.BENEFITS: Completion of the Phase II effort willproduce a functional, compact prototype submersible TNT analyzer with plug and play functionality with the REMUS AUV. The submersible TNT analyzer will have a substantial cost benefit over traditional methodologies for TNT sampling and analysis in marinewaters. There are several applications for a fast response AUV deployable chemical analyzer that is highly sensitive for specific organic compounds. The instrument may be adapted for the environmenta