Mobile laboratory takes the scientists into the field

(From Framsyn Magazine 5, 2006)

The first Swedish laboratory that can be located anywhere in the world and still keep the outside world out. That is one way of describing the mobile analysis laboratories which are being produced by FOI and FMV. The Swedish Armed Forces need to be able to analyse samples of various kinds in the course of national and international operations. For this reason the decision was taken six years ago to develop these armoured containers.

Today there are three complete laboratories in Umeå. They can be transported by C-130 Hercules aircraft or by road or sea. One laboratory is equipped for chemical analysis, another for biological analysis and the third for radiological/nuclear analysis (CBRN). The containers have standard 20 ft container dimensions to facilitate transportation. Including their technical equipment, each container weighs about 10 tons.

Two scientists, with a third person in emergency, have a space of about 10 square metres in which to work with their technical equipment.

“Initially the Swedish Armed Forces wanted to find out whether national service conscripts would be able to carry out the analysis tasks. But it then became clear that the work would be too complicated,” says Åsa Tjärnhage, a scientist working at the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), on loan to the National CBRN Defence Centre in Umeå to lead the CBRN project.

Working conditions in the container are naturally somewhat cramped. And a little noisy due to the refrigerating system and the ventilation needed for the technical equipment.

“The work calls for high levels of competence and familiarity with laboratory procedures, qualities which not everyone can be expected to possess,” explains Åsa Tjärnhage.

Even though the outside temperature may vary between minus 40°C to plus 40°C, the temperature in the laboratory is maintained between 20 and 22°C. The container has its own diesel driven electrical generator.

Electrical power and physical protection

“The generator is intended more as a reserve in case there is not sufficient external power,” says Lars Nilsson from the Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). External power supplies can vary widely depending on where the container is located.

The container is armoured to provide protection against weapon fragments. The outer walls are covered with composite sheeting to provide ballistic protection and the inner walls are reinforced with ceramic sheeting which also provides shielding against electromagnetic waves.

The container is based on the principle that whatever is going on outside, nothing must change inside. An overpressure is maintained in the container to prevent the ingress of outside air. Samples that need to be brought in or out are passed through a hatch incorporating an airlock.

The container includes an air-conditioning system which draws in filtered air which is then extracted via a fume cupboard for the advanced systems.

The scientists may be required to work a five-day stint. But sleeping and toilet facilities are provided elsewhere.

“The CBRN container is not intended for operation in the front line, but rather at some location fairly close to the action. It might, for example, be sited close to an airfield,” says Åsa Tjärnhage.

With the container comes its own masking system which is mounted on the roof and makes it impossible for the contained to be detected by radar.