SERIOUS OILFIRE GAS AND SMOKE DANGERS

File: 970313_jun96_decls1_0023.txt
Page: 0023
Total Pages: 35

Subject: SERIOUS OILFIRE GAS AND SMOKE DANGERS                           

Unit: VII CORPS   

Parent Organization: ARCENT      

Box  ID: BX000249

Folder Title: ENGR PLAN INTEL                                                                                 

Document Number:          9

Folder Seq  #:         84





                                                UNCLASSIFIED


             AST-266OZ-148-90
             9 Janu@ 1991

             6. Carbon Particulates and Effects (u)

                a. (U) Nearest the fire, the hot asphaltene particles will be quite
             large, will tend to agglomerate, and will form linear particles. These linear
             particles are heavy and would be the first to fall out nearest the fire. They
             are found in the lower part of the smoke plume and have a black color. Ultra-
             fine carbon particles derived from the combustion of light ends are spherical
             in shape. These fine carbons will not l@AAiately fall out near the fire and
             will be carried miles downwind and rise thousands of feet. Both the linear and
             spherical carbon particulates are electrically conductive and act as black
             bodies to absorb radiant energy. The effects of carbon particulates on tactical
             systems are as follows:


                            System                Possible smoke effect

                      Radar   ...............   Some interference or clutter
                      IR  ..................    Irull degradation in dense smoke
                      Visible optics    ......  Full degradation in dense smoke
                      Laser   ...............   Partial to full degradation/
                                                attenuation of beam
                      Millimeter-wave   ......  Some degradation/attenuation
                                                of beam


             Targets near these massive fires could be fully or partially obscured by the
             smoke plumes negating or degrading airborne and satellite reconnaissance.
                 b@U"F-imm" The linear asphaltene-derived particulates may cause some
             radar interference or clutter. This interference would be greatest nearest the
terference is a
             function of the particulate's aspect ratio (length:diameter).          Both spherical
             and linear carbon particulates are opaque and will reduce the effectiveness of
             visual and IR systems and could degrade some millimeter-wave and laser systems.
             The extent of interference, attenuation, and degradation is a function of
             specific smoke-cloud dynamics:          particulate size, shape, concentration,
             distribution, and meteorological conditions.

             9. Health Problems Associated With Smoke (U)

             (U) This acidic smoke (a pH of 2 to 3) La very dangerous to exposed troops.
             The sulfurous acid (H2SOi) will burn skin and eyes and damage lungs if inhaled.
             Sulfurous acid is fat7al ;rhen blood concentration levels reach 500 pg/kg. This
             lethal concentration is time-duration dependent and is a function of the
             sulfurous acid concentration In the inhaled air. Most sulfurous acid injuries


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                                                UNCLASSIFIED

Document 35 f:/Week-24/BX000249/ENGR PLAN INTEL/serious oilfire gas and smoke dangers:0128971851472
Control Fields 17
File Room = jun96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-24
Box ID = BX000249
Unit = VII CORPS
Parent Organization = ARCENT
Folder Title = ENGR PLAN INTEL
Folder Seq # = 84
Subject = SERIOUS OILFIRE GAS AND SMOKE DANGERS
Document Seq # = 9
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 13-FEB-1997