Man Portable Supersonic Air Jet System

Reclaiming mine-infested areas so that they are safe for civilian use (demining) is a subject of considerable interest today. The State Department estimates that approximately 85 million mines emplaced worldwide cause 150 casualities a week. Extensive mined areas exist in Asia, Africa, Europe, and numerous other locations. Current state-of-the-art demining techniques vary in both approach and equipment; however, they generally involve hand tools and mine detectors. All techniques currently share two traits: they are manpower intensive and result in considerable risk to the personnel involved. Improvements in demining are sought which will result in reduced cost and acceptable timelines while achieving near perfect removal/neutralization and operator safety. Concept Engineering Group, Inc. (CEG) has been developing for the utility industry over the last several years a new digging method that uses supersonic air jets to provide a non-contacting, inherently safe form of excavation. This safe excavation technology allows precise and controlled digging and is ideally suited to uncovering a buried mine. Supersonic air jets are extremely effective at penetrating and dislodging most types of soil, but are harmless to buried objects. Based on its work, CEG proposes to develop a man portable, supersonic air jet, backpack demining system. Anticipated Benefits: The man portable, supersonic air jet, backpack demining system will allow safer, more efficient demining operations. However, since supersonic air jets do not harm nonporous objects, such portable units could be used anywhere it is necessary to uncover objects or dig holes safely. This includes archaelogical, agricultural, forestry, landscaping, utility, and domestic homeowner uses.