Results

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The different safety container designs were sealed and air pressure was applied to determine if they leaked. All designs withstood the pressure applied (150 psig) without leaking. One of the designs had to have the joints re-glued to eliminate leakage. All of the safety containers should be pressure tested after construction to eliminate joint leakage before being used.

The aerosol can was placed inside the safety container and the lid was tightened. The aerosol plunger was actuated by turning a sealed, threaded device that had been installed in the end of the lid. The pressure inside the safety container reached 60 psig and remained there. The plunger actuator was released and the safety container was monitored to see if the pressure dropped. This would indicate a leak. After 10 minutes the container was checked. No pressure loss was noted. A needle valve was opened to release the pressure from the safety container. Liquid red pepper derivative drained from the opening. This procedure was repeated twice with the equilibrium pressure reaching 48 psig the first time and 35 psig the second. No leakage was noted.

Next the safety container was fitted with an in-line air filter used on air compressors. The aerosol canister was depressed. The gas emitted from the air filter did not appear to have the pepper aerosol present. There was a pepper smell, but that may have been due to the spray that had been cleaned up after the pressure tests. Liquid pepper spray solution collected in the sediment bowl of the filter assembly (figure 5).

Figure 5—Liquid bear repellent captured
by a filter that removed aerosols.

Containing the gases in a safety container or filtering the gasses would appear to adequately prevent the aerosol from incapacitating personnel.

The pressure container would be the most economical to produce. A filter would not have to be purchased.