LESSON PLAN
Course: Basic Breath Test Operator
Class Title: Principles and Theory
Effective Date: April 21, 2014
1
COVER PAGE
TIME:
COURSE :
CLASS TITLE:
CLASS LEVEL:
OBJECTIVES:
90 Minutes
Basic Breath Test Operator
Principles and Theory
Basic Recruit
See page 3
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:
METHOD OF TESTING:
TRAINING AIDS:
Lecture
Written
Computer, Proxima, Screen, IR
Light Sources, Sample Chambers,
Filter Wheel, Detector Block, Student
Manual
REFERENCES:
See page 4
COMPLETED BY:
DATE:
REVISIONS BY:
DATE OF REVISIONS:
Thomas G. Blankenship
October 2010
Danny Dailey
April 21, 2014
APPROVED BY (signature):
DATE APPROVED:
2
OBJECTIVES:
AT THE END OF THE SESSION EACH LEARNER WILL BE ABLE TO:
1. Without reference, as discussed in class explain how an Intoxilyzer
Breath Analysis Instrument quantifies and qualifies a breath sample
through the use of the infrared (IR) absorption principle.
3
REFERENCES:
1. Ultraviolet-Visible Absorption Spectroscopy Booklet Memphis State
Univ.;
2. Tests for BAC in Highway Safety and Expert Testimony Course
Notebook
3. Center for Law in Action Indiana Univ. 1996;
4. Intoxilyzer 5000EN and 8000 Operators Manuals
5. NASA Observation Education-Reference Module Web Site
6. Journal of Motor Vehicle Law, 1994.
4
LEC:
INTRO
The purpose of this block of instruction is to explain in
simple terms the principle on how the instrument
collects a breath sample and determines an alcohol
concentration level.
The intent of this instruction is not to qualify you as an
instrument technician but rather give you a basis for
understanding of how the instrument provides a breath
analysis.
This is your initial instruction on how the instrument
performs that will establish the foundation for further
training you will receive this week in the operation of
the Intoxilyzer 5000EN and the 8000.
5
NTF
Instructors should begin each presentation with a
listing of all objectives for the block of instruction.
LEC
Without reference, the learner will be able to explain
how an Intoxilyzer Model 5000EN and the 8000 Breath
Analysis Instrument quantitatively measures a breath
sample through the use of the Infrared (IR) Absorption
Principle, as discussed in class.
6
LEC
Specifies that operators will receive 40 hours of
training.
Part of the training is specified as, Physiological effect
of alcohol (Alcohol and the Human Body); Operation of
approved instruments (Introduction and Initial
Operation of the BT Instruments);
General instrument theory. You will see during moot
court, at the end of the week, how to use some of this
theory to improve your testimony.
Operation of the instrument will be tested on Thursday,
you will have run a minimum of 10 tests prior to
Thursday.
7
LEC
The Intoxilyzer uses infrared light to measure the
amount of alcohol molecules in a breath sample after
the subject provides an adequate sample.
8
LEC
In 1971 instruments begin using the infrared
absorption principle to determine breath alcohol
results.
The Intoxilyzer 5000EN & 8000 uses a law of
chemistry and physics known as the Lambert-Beer
Law to determine the alcohol concentration in a breath
sample. This law states that the amount of energy
absorbed by a particular substance is proportional to
the number of absorbing molecules in the sample. The
amount of infrared energy absorbed in a breath
sample is proportional to the amount of alcohol
present in a breath sample introduced into the
instrument sample chamber. The Intoxilyzer reports
the measured alcohol concentration in grams of
alcohol per 210 liters of breath.
9
Electromagnetic Spectrum
W A VEL EN G T H
T Y P E O F R A D A T IO N
EN ER G Y
WA VEL EN GTH
LON G W AV E LE N GT H
T Y PE OF R A D A T ION
RADI O W AV E S
MI CRO W AV E S
I NF RARE D LI GH T
EN ER G Y
L OW E NE R GY
V IS I BLE LI GH T
RE
REDD
OR
OR ANGE
ANGE
YYEELLLLOW
OW
GRE
GREEE NN
BL
BLUE
UE
IND
IND IG
IGO
O
S HOR T W AV E LE N GTH
LO N G W A V E LE N G T H
____
____
__VVIIOLE
OLE TT__
____
_____
___
U L TRAV I OLE T
X -RAY
GAM MA RAY S
HI GH E NE R GY
RADI O W AVES
MI C R O W A V E S
I N F R A R E D LI G H T
L OW E NE R GY
V IS I B LE LI G H T
RREEDD
OORR AANNGGEE
YYEELL LL OOW
W
GGRREEEE NN
BBLL UUEE
IN
INDD IG
IG OO
S H O R T W A V E LE N G TH
__ ____ ____VVI I OOLE
LE TT ____ ____ ______
U L TR A V I O LE T
X -R A Y
G A M MA R A Y S
WAVEL ENGTH
LON G WAVE LEN GT H
SHOR T WAVE LEN GTH
T Y PE OF RADAT ION
RADI O WAVES
MI CRO WAVES
I NF RARED LI GH T
VISI BLE LI GH T
RED
RED
OR
ORANGE
ANGE
YEL
YELLLOW
OW
GREE
GREE NN
BL
BLUE
UE
IND
INDIG
IGO
O
____
____
__VI
VIOLE
OLE TT__
____
_____
___
U L TRAVI OLE T
X-RAY
GAM MA RAYS
ENERG Y
L OW ENER GY
HI GH ENE R GY
HI GH E NE R GY
9
LEC
Infrared is a specific form of energy in the spectrum of
electromagnetic radiation. "Infrared" (IR) means
"below red“ and is a region of the electromagnetic
spectrum with longer wavelength (lower energy) than
visible red light, and thus is invisible to the human eye.
Wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation between 0.7
and 1,000 micrometers are considered infrared. Light
visible to the human eye occurs at wavelengths
between about 0.7 and 0.4 micrometers.
A micrometer is a unit of length which is one-millionth
of it meter and is commonly referred to as a micron.
10
INFRARED ABSORPTION
ETOH
C2 H5 OH
12
LEC
A molecule such as ethyl alcohol has a unique
structure consisting of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
atoms.
Alcohol molecules when exposed to a particular IR
light wave length will begin to resonate/vibrate/flex at
the carbon & hydrogen bonds. Alcohol was discovered
to occur significantly at the IR wavelength of 3.48
micro farads.
To bend/flex in such a manner requires energy. The
energy to do this comes from the IR light. The result is
that the amount of IR light is reduced due to the
absorption.
This is the Infrared Absorption Principle.
11
LEC
The instrument takes a measurement of light before
alcohol is introduced into the sample chamber. This
happens on the 5000EN when the “….” are going
across the digital display. On the 8000 you will see
solid square boxes going right to left on the screen.
Alcohol molecules are then exposed to the infrared
light. This is the only place in the instruments where
ETOH and IR light meet.
Alcohol molecule bonds start to bend & conform to
specific
IR
wavelength,
approximately
3.48
microfarads, using energy from the IR light.
Decrease in infrared light energy is detected.
The decrease is converted to BrAC.
12
LEC
The instrument must establish initial readings from
each filter or detector. The reference reading.
On the 5000EN when the operator sees ………….
displayed across the digital display the instrument is
validating its operational settings and establishing a
reference using the clear sample chamber.
On the 8000 when the operator sees
displayed
across the display the instrument is validating its
operational settings and establishing a reference using
the clear sample chamber.
NTF
This is the reading the instrument uses to compare to
the reading after the Air Blanks, Calibration Check,
and Subjects Test.
13
OPTICAL BENCH
IR to
•Converts
electrical energy
Quartz-Iodide Lamp
Sample Chamber
Filter Wheel
81.4cc or ml at 46 +/- 1
Detector
Ethanol
Acetone/ETOH
2nd Lens
1st Lens
Toluene/ETOH
Methanol/ETOH
Interrupter
H2O
14
LEC
Optical Bench of the 5000EN
Quartz-Iodide Lamp – This is the infrared light source.
It projects IR and visible light.
NTF
LEC
NTF
Show the class the IR Light Source
Sample Chamber – This is the location where the
breath sample comes in contact with the IR light to be
analyzed. The size of the sample chamber is 81.4 ml
or cc. The temperature is 46˚ C +/- 1˚ C.
Show the class the Sample Chamber.
14
LEC
Lens – There are two lens, one at each end of the
sample chamber. The first lens (closest to the IR
Source) disperse the light throughout the chamber.
The second lens pinpoints the remaining light and
directs it to the filter wheel.
NTF
Point out the lens, they do unscrew to make it easier
to see.
LEC
NTF
LEC
We will discuss the filter wheel in length on the next
slide. Note where it is located, again the remaining IR
light is directed through the filter wheel and that light is
measured by the detector.
Show the filter wheel mounted to the detector board.
The copper looking disc located between the filter
wheel and the board is the detector. The black U
shaped piece that goes around the filter wheel is the
Interrupter. The Interrupter identifies which filter the
detector is reading. The filter wheel spins at 2800
RPMS.
The Detector converts the IR light to electrical energy
which is converted to a BrAC.
15
FILTER WHEEL
Ethanol
Acetone/ETOH
Water Vapor
Methanol/ETOH
Toluene/ETOH
15
Filter Wheel
LEC
The instrument is not specific to ethanol. It can detect
other substance, which can give the appearance of
alcohol intoxication.
Acetone/ethanol filter –Diabetics experiencing a
medial emergency may appear to be intoxicated. A
subject in a severe high blood sugar diabetic
emergency will express high levels of the substance
acetone in their breath. Acetone is a by-product of the
body’s attempt to reduce high levels of sugar building
up in the blood. While the subject is blowing into the
instrument, it is comparing the light energy detected
from the ethanol filter against the light energy detect
from the acetone/ethanol filter.
16
LEC
Methanol/ethanol and the Toluene/Ethanol Filter –
This filter helps detect substances that are usually
found in inhalant type products. Although these filters
are labeled as methanol and toluene there is other
impairing inhalants that are similar in molecular
structure that will also absorb IR energy at these
specific wavelengths.
While the subject is blowing into the instrument, it is
comparing the light energy detected from the ethanol
filter against the light energy detected from the
methanol/ethanol filter and the toluene/ethanol filter.
When analyzing the breath sample and the
comparison is made if there is a significant difference
in the electrical readings at the detector, the
instrument will respond not with a alcohol reading but
with an “Interferent Detected” card.
17
LEC
There are no moving parts such as the filter wheel, in
the 8000, it has two preheat chambers and one
chamber that measurements are taken.
The infrared light source is pulsed, this essentially
takes the place of the filter wheel in 5000EN.
A series of check valves is used to direct air, breath,
wet bath, or compressed gas through the instrument.
The sample chamber size is 29ml/cc and the
temperature is 47 degrees Celsius.
NTF
Show the sample chamber, light source, and detector
block.
18
Ethanol Infrared Spectra with notation for 8000 IR filters
100%
95%
90%
Percent of Absorption Detected
85%
80%
75%
70%
65%
60%
55%
50%
45%
40%
35%
3.4 micron detector
30%
25%
Interferents
20%
15%
9.4 micron detector
10%
5%
0%
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
ETOH
10.0
11.0
Wavelength (microns)
LEC
What you are seeing in this slide is the IR light
remaining at that particular micron range. The 100%
at the top of the graph would be the reference point. If
there was a significant difference between these two
detectors the 8000 would flag the test as an interferent
detected.
The big difference between the 8000 measurement
and the 5000EN measurement is the 8000
measurement is taken at the bond between particular
atoms in the ETOH molecule.
19
LEC
We do not know what specific number is an indicator
of a “Significant Difference” but for the sake of
demonstration we will use the value of .010.
Significant Difference Example:
Ethanol Filter =
.100BrAC
Acetone/ethanol Filter =
Difference between filters =
.110BrAC
.010BrAC
When comparing filter results, and there is an
insignificant difference between the ethanol filter and
the other filters, the instrument will disregard what it
sees in the other filters and give the operator the true
ethanol filter reading.
20
LEC
Insignificant Difference Example:
Ethanol Filter =
.100 BrAC
Acetone/ethanol Filter =
Difference between filters =
.107BrAC
.007 BrAC
Impairing products that may contain methanol or
toluene can cause the absorption of infrared light.
These are inhalants such as paint (gold/silver), glue,
gasoline, butane, duster, nail polish remover, and
such.
QTC
What are you hearing in your area that people are
huffing?
AR
Responses will vary.
LEC
When an Interferent is detected, the instrument will
print a card indicating that an Interferent was detected,
but it will not identify nor specify which filter detected it.
Your actions as an operator will be discussed in a later
lecture.
21
LEC
For the operator to get a completed test the subject
must meet these parameters during the “Please Blow”
Mode.
Time – The subject must blow continuously for a
“minimum” of four seconds. If the instrument detects
alcohol on the sample it will require more than four
seconds.
Pressure – the subject must blow hard enough so that
the flow sensor detects a greater than a .15 liters or
150 milliliters per second of steady flow.
22
LEC
Volume – The subject must provide a minimum of 1.1
liters or 1100 milliliters, remember you want the deep
lung air to get an accurate reading of the BrAC.
Slope – The slope parameter is required to determine
if the reading is from residual mouth alcohol. The
subject must provide a homogenous concentration of
alcohol for the instrument to read the BrAC. The
alcohol level must plateau.
NTF
Remember the subject must meet all of these
parameters to satisfy the requirement for a completed
breath test. If the subject’s pressure drops below the
requirement all of the parameters will restart from the
point when the pressure is back to the minimum
requirement.
23
LEC
Deficient Sample
If the subject fails to meet the parameters of time
volume, or pressure in the three (3) minute please
blow mode the instrument will produce a deficient
sample evidence card.
24
Normal Breath Test
BrAC
.100
Plateau
.050
.000
0
1
2
3
4
Time (Sec)
23
LEC
21
You know you are getting a good sample when the
subject is blowing you hear a constant/steady tone and
the words “Please Blow” are constantly on the screen
(not flashing). At the please blow mode the operator
has three (3) minutes to gather a sufficient sample for
analysis. If the subject fails to meet all the parameters
the tone will stop and the words “Please Blow” will
flash. The operator should instruct the subject that
they need to continue to blow until you tell them to
stop.
25
Slope parameter is activated
Drop is due to detection of Residual Mouth
Alcohol
BrAC
.100
.050
INVALID SAMPLE .XXX
.020
.000
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Time (10ths of a Second)
LEC
7
8
24
Slope Parameter Activated
If residual mouth alcohol is present while the subject is
blowing the slope parameter will detect a drop of
alcohol in a given time. The instrument will print a
card indicating an “Invalid Sample”, next to subjects
test will be .XXX.
NTF
The operators response will be discussed in later
lecture.
26
Final Review
QTC
What is the operating principle of both the Intoxilyzer
5000EN and the 8000?
AR
Infrared Absorption Principle
QTC
What is the principle of the Lambert-Beer Law?
AR
IR energy absorbed in the breath sample is
proportional to the amount of alcohol introduced into
the sample chamber.
QTC
What is the size of the sample chamber for the
5000EN and the 8000?
AR
5000EN/81.4ml………8000/29ml
27
Final Review (cont)
QTC
What is the operating temperature of the 5000EN and
the 8000?
AR
5000EN/46+or-1 degrees C….8000/47 degrees C
QTC
These instruments are specific to alcohol only.
AR
False
QTC
What other substances does the 5000EN/8000 detect?
AR
Methanol, Toluene, Acetone, Water
QTC
What are the parameters for the 5000EN/8000?
AR
Time: minimum 4 seconds
Pressure: constant rate of at least 150 ml per second
Volume: total of 1100 ml of air passing through
Slope: reaches a plateau or homogeneous plane
QTC
AR
QTC
AR
What will be the result if all parameters are not met?
Deficient sample (with or without alcohol)
What is the result should the slope parameter be
activated?
Invalid sample.XXX (Residual Mouth Alcohol)
TIME: 88 MINUTES
28
Concluding Statement:
LEC
You have now received training as to the basic
operating principles of the Intoxilyzer 5000EN and the
Intoxilyzer 8000. This information will help you
understand the inner workings and processes by
which breath alcohol concentration levels are
calculated. You will be better prepared for courtroom
testimony as to those operating principles. It will also
prepare you for your next block of training involving the
actual operation of each instrument.
AFQ
TIME: 90 MINUTES
29