CBRN Permeation Testing Systems
Measure how CBRN agents permeate protective materials. Test to TOP 08-2-501A and AEP-38.
Test air permeable or non-air permeable materials. Choose droplet testing or vapour testing. Configure the detector for your specific agent.
CBRN permeation testing measures how a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) agent moves through protective material. The standards TOP 08-2-501A and AEP-38 require testing under real-world conditions. An Ellutia CBRN Permeation System is configured to meet these standards. If you also want worst-case performance data, you can add that.
You configure the system for either droplet or vapour testing. Your material type determines what methods you can use. Air-permeable materials can run vapour permeation under real-world conditions (Flow Past) or worst-case conditions (Drawn Through). Air-impermeable materials can only run vapour permeation under real-world conditions, since you cannot pull vapour through an impermeable surface.
How it works
Choose your testing method
You configure the system for either droplet or vapour testing. This choice is made at build time based on your testing requirements. Both methods test the same way from step 2 onwards.
Apply the challenge to the material
For vapour testing: A humidifier and syringe pump feed a heated evaporation chamber. The liquid agent vaporises into a stream of humidity-controlled air. The vapour enters a buffer volume where you can constantly monitor the concentration and hold it steady throughout your test.
For droplet testing: You apply a set amount of challenge chemical directly to the sample material.
Test the material in parallel cells
You can run up to 18 cells in parallel (base system includes 3, expandable in multiples of 3), each temperature-controlled to 30 to 50°C. Test different materials or replicates under identical conditions. Your 40 mm diameter sample sits on a support in each cell. All internal flow paths are Sulfinert-treated.
For vapour testing, you choose your detection method: Flow Past (ambient pressure sweep from underneath, real-world conditions) or Drawn Through (vacuum pull through the material, worst-case). Air-permeable materials allow both options. Air-impermeable materials allow Flow Past only.
Collect and detect the results
You can collect the agent directly or use an optional sorbent trap to pre-concentrate it for lower detection limits. The sample passes through an 8-port stream-selection valve, a 6-port injection valve, and into an Ellutia 200 Series gas chromatograph. The detector is matched to your specific agent. Effluent routes through a carbon filter trap.
Configuration Options
| Parameter | Capability |
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Target analytes
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HD (sulfur mustard), GB (sarin), or other CBRN agents. Detector matched to your agent (FPD for HD/GB).
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Material types
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Air-permeable: Drawn Through, Flow Past, or droplet testing. Air-impermeable: Flow Past or droplet testing only.
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Testing methods
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Droplet testing or vapour testing
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Vapour configurations
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Flow Past (ambient pressure, real-world) or Drawn Through (vacuum, worst-case, air-permeable only).
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Test cells
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Base system: 3 constant-velocity cells, temperature-controlled, run in parallel. Expandable to 18 cells (multiples of 3).
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Operational Control
| Parameter | Capability |
|---|---|
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Concentration control
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Software reads challenge concentration and adjusts syringe pump dosing in real time. Challenge stays steady throughout your test.
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Breakthrough detection
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Software plots breakthrough live against your defined threshold and stops run automatically once hit. Saves hazardous agent.
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Sample collection
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Collect directly or use optional Tenax sorbent trap to pre-concentrate agent for lower detection limits.
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Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Capability |
|---|---|
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Sample size
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40 mm diameter, supports various thicknesses.
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Surface velocity
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Up to 5 m/s across sample.
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Cell temperature
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Software-settable, typically 30 to 50°C, controlled to ±1.0°C.
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Humidity control
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Independent humidifier, 50 to 85% RH, ±2.5%.
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Challenge monitoring
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Sample line from buffer volume for real-time concentration verification.
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Stream handling
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8-port stream-selection valve; 6-port injection valve with fixed sample loop.
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Detection
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Ellutia 200 Series gas chromatograph with detector matched to agent (FPD for HD/GB).
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Data handling
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Ellutia chromatography data station; custom permeation software.
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Effluent management
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Carbon filter trap on cell exhaust and pump return.
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Cell construction
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Stainless steel or anodised aluminium alloy, Sulfinert-treated. 1/8" Swagelok fittings.
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Standards compliance:
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Configured to test per TOP 08-2-501A and AEP-38.
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Typical users
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Defence research laboratories, PPE manufacturers, and material testing labs evaluating protective performance against CBRN agents.
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Trusted by leading defence organisations and material testing laboratories
Used to validate protective equipment against CBRN agents and meets TOP 08-2-501A and AEP-38 requirements. Logos of organizations using the system displayed below.
Ready to configure your CBRN permeation system?
Every system is built for your specific testing requirements. Our team can discuss your material types, testing standards, and configuration options to ensure you get exactly what you need.