1. Dry Filter Unit (DFU) Overview
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
Dry Filter Unit (DFU) Overview

2. Agenda BW Agents and Threat DFU Overview
HHA/DoD Biological Sampling Kit Overview
DFU Detection and Reliability
CONOPS
Issues
Summary

3. Biological Weapon Agents

4. Biological Agent Weaponization

5. BW Agents: Bacteria, Rickettsia, Viruses

6. BW Agents: Toxins

7. Biological Warfare Threat
Most Efficient and Likely Means of Delivering a BW Agent to Target Is in Form of an Aerosol
Aerosols Can Be Delivered on Target Without Any Indication of Their Presence
Enemy Is Unlikely to Send Warning Prior to Delivery
Aerosol Sampling/Collection and Identification Is the Only Means of Determining the Presence of an Aerosol

8. Dry Filter Unit Biological Air Sampler
Collect and Concentrate Biological Particulates From Ambient Air
Ambient Air Drawn Through 1 Micron Polyester Felt Filter at the Rate of ~ 1000 Liters/min Via Electrical Blower
Human Breathing Rate ~ 15 Liters/min ( DFU “Breathes” ~ 67 X More Particles)
Recommend Collection Time: 1-12 Hours
Filter Placed Into Buffer Solution, Shaken to Extract Particles, and Analyzed Using HHA for Presumptive Identification of BW Agents
Detection Sensitivity of DFU/HHA System: ACPLA Minutes
ACPLA = Agent-Containing-Particle-Per-Liter-Air
Well Characterized for Anthrax and Bg (Simulant)
Additional Testing Being Conducted for Other Agents

9. DFU Functional Diagram
Filter (Concentrates Particles)
Airborne Particles
Intake
Exhaust
Flow (Q)= Velocity (V) x Area (A)
Flow= 1000 liters/min (28 cfm)

10. After “Quick Shake” Extraction
DFU Filter Extraction
Filter
Buffer Solution
Filter in Buffer
Solution
Filter and Particles
in Buffer Solution
After “Quick Shake” Extraction

11. DFU Operational Concept Filter Disk and Accessories
Suspect Agent
1-12 hours
2 min
15 min
Presumptive Identification
Confirmatory Sample
Collect
Sample Prep
4-5 ml sample
HHA
Filter Disk and Accessories
DFU 1000

12. DFU Specifications FEATURES BENEFITS
High Volume 1000 L/min with 1-micron Polyester Felt Filter
Effective Collection of Low Concentration Aerosol Conditions
Portable, Self Contained Unit
One-Person Portable Carrying Case
Collects Bio-Particulates from Ambient Air
Effectively Captures 1 Micron and Larger Particles
Size- 15” (H) x 13” (W) x 13” (D)
Compatible with Standard Bio Analytical Techniques (e.g. HHAs, ELISA, PCR, etc.)
Weight- 42 Lbs. (with 10’ Cord & Air Silencer)
Everything Needed for Sampling is On-Board
Simple to Operate
Minimal Training (15 Minutes) & Maintenance Required
Successfully Tested at Edgewood, MD and the ABT Facility in Columbus, OH
Rated for Continuous Duty (40,000 hour life) and Completely Weather Tight
VAC (23 Amps Startup) 120 VAC Power
Common Power Source

13. DFU 1000

14. Power Connection Cover
DFU 1000 Components
Inlet Stack
Filter Assembly
Lid
Filter
Latch
Casing
Warning Labels
Air Outlet
Power Connection
Power Connection Cover
Exhaust Hose

15. DFU Kit

16. Hand Held Assay (HHA)
Provides Presumptive ID of BW Agents in Suspect Samples
Same Format as Home Pregnancy Test
Simple Operation, Inexpensive, Single Use
Results in 15 Minutes
Reliable
Rigorous QA/QC Testing
Low False Positive Rate
Presumptive ID Component in Currently Fielded and Developmental Joint BW Detection Systems (Portal Shield, JBPDS, DoD Biological Detection System, DFU)
Shelf Life: 2 Years at Refrigerated Temperatures (4°C)
Do Not Freeze
Panel of 8 HHAs

17. DoD Biological Sampling Kit
Presumptive ID of BW Agents:
Contamination Detection After a BW Attack
Quick Screen of Suspect Packages/Samples (Analogous to M8 Paper)
Contents
Panel of 8 HHAs (10 Available)
Conical Tube Containing:
Bottle of Buffer Solution
Sterile Cotton Swabs
Basic Instructions
Cost: $52
Good Shelf Life
One-Time Use Only
Training Kits and Interactive Training CD-ROM Available
DOD
Biological Sampling
Kit
Training CD-ROM
Never Used as the Sole Basis for Agent Identification
Not for Diagnostic Use
Used by Capitol Police to Positively Identify Senator Daschle Letter!

18. Biological Detection CONOPS
Threat and Risk Assessment
Sampling Location(s)
Sampling Frequency
Collection Time
Sample Preparation
Presumptive Identification (HHA)
Information Management/Decision Authority
Confirmatory Sample Transportation/Testing (PCR)
Operational Modes

19. Threat and Risk Assessment
Geographical Location
Intelligence
Force Protection Condition
Weather Conditions
Threat Identification (Specifics)
Delivery Mechanisms
Ship Vulnerabilities
Credible Risk Scenarios
Countermeasures

20. DFU CONOPS
The DFU/HHA System Will Be Employed in Order to Provide Biological Sampling and Presumptive Identification Capability
Can Provide “Detect to Treat” Capability
Operational Concept Will Depend On:
Geographical Location
Threat Condition
Vulnerability
Contamination Avoidance Phase (Pre, Initial, Post Involvement)
Weather Conditions
Commander Discretion
Operational Locations :
Base Camp

21. DFU Operations External Sampling
Dry Filter Units should be placed in locations where there will be a high concentration of agents in the event of an attack
Easy access for retrieving filters for analysis
1-12 hour collection time/analysis cycle
Internal Sampling
Dry Filter Units should be placed in vicinity under suspicion
Compartments receiving outside supplies
Mission critical spaces
Sampling Frequency/Collection Time
I, II, III, IV Operational Modes

22. DFU Operational Modes
Guidelines for Sampling Frequency and Collection Times
I – Area of Known or Suspected Biological Threat
II - Area of Known or Possible Biological Threat
III - Biological Attack Probable
IV - Biological Attack Imminent/Post Attack/Decon
0000
1200
2400
0000
0600
1200
1800
2400
0000
0400
0800
1200
1600
2000
2400
0000
0600
1200
1800
2400

23. DFU 1000 Operating Procedures
Setup/Installation
Filter Preparation
Collection
Retrieve Filters
Sample Preparation
Presumptive Identification Testing (HHAs)
DFU 1000 Operators Manual

24. DFU Issues SEC Logistics Decon of Equipment How many DFUs?
Where to install them?
Sampling Schedule?
Logistics
Storage of HHAs (Refrigeration) and DFU Kits
Personnel
Training
Decon of Equipment

25. Summary BW Threat to US Forces is Real
DFUs/HHAs (Coupled with Confirmatory Analysis) Offer Best Available BW Detection Capability
Inexpensive
Easy to Use
Reliable
Available Immediately – Units Fielded and in Production