AP2C
Handheld Chemical Detector

AP2C The AP2C (Appareil Portable pour le contrôle de la Contamination Chimique) is a hand-held, portable monitoring device for the simultaneous detection of nerve and blister agents.

It is available to military units, civil defence services and environmental agencies. It was developed by ProEngin to a DGA agreement and it operates on the flame spectrometry principle. This technology combines a fast response time with high sensitivity and a fast return to zero capacity following an agent challenge. It allows detection of agents that have a phosphorus or sulphur content in any physical phase from vapour to frozen.

The unit does not require re-calibration or filter change after a challenge. The AP2C does not require maintenance if kept in storage, however maintenance is necessary after 1,000 hours of operation; the unit may have a shelf-life of over 20 years. The instrument is contained within a watertight aluminium housing and can be held and operated by one hand. Power is supplied by single-use batteries, by rechargeable batteries or by an auxiliary electrical supply. A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel shows simultaneously the total phosphor-based and sulphur-based concentrations of any agents present. Involved in the detection process is a hydrogen supply carried in a rechargeable metal cartridge. When using the internal batteries and hydrogen cartridge, the AP2C has an operating autonomy of 12 hours. Two plug-in points at the rear of the instrument body can be used to plug in an optional auxiliary electrical supply and a set of headphones for audio warnings

AP2C data sheet