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Comprehensive Guide to Natural Gas Odorizers: Ensuring Safety and Efficiency

  • Writer: Mitch
    Mitch
  • Sep 7, 2024
  • 2 min read
Portable Odorizer

At Burgess Pipeline Services, we prioritize the safety and efficiency of natural gas transportation. One of the key components in achieving this is the use of odorizers. An odorizer is a device that adds an odorant to a gas, making leaks readily detectable. This article delves into the various types of natural gas odorizers, their operation, and the different odorants used.

Understanding Natural Gas Odorizers

Natural gas odorizers are essential for detecting gas leaks. They can range from simple wick systems to advanced computerized equipment that controls odorant levels based on flow rate, tracks inventory, and alerts operators when odorant is not being injected.

Types of Natural Gas Odorizers

  1. Wick Type Odorizers:

    • These can be small enough to serve a single customer or large enough for a small town.

    • They use a wick similar to a kerosene lantern, drawing odorant into the gas stream.

  2. Absorption Bypass Odorizers:

    • These systems take a portion of the gas stream and run it through a tank containing liquid odorant.

    • Variations may include wicks to increase vaporization.

  3. Liquid Injection Type Odorizers:

    • Suitable for high-volume systems, these odorizers add small amounts of liquid odorant to the gas.

    • Modern versions use computer control to monitor flow rates and adjust injection rates.


Odorants Used in Natural Gas

Odorants vary by country and gas distribution regulations. They can be sulfur-containing or non-sulfur-containing.

Sulfur-Containing Odorants

  1. tert-Butylthiol (TBM): Main ingredient in many gas odorant blends.

  2. Tetrahydrothiophene (THT): Used in mixtures with TBM.

  3. 2-Propanethiol (IPM): Commonly used in mixtures with TBM.

  4. Ethanethiol (EM): Used in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), resembling the odor of leeks or cooked cabbage.

  5. Methanethiol: Added to natural gas, reminiscent of rotten eggs or cabbage.

  6. Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS): Found in the smell of certain vegetables and seafood.

Non-Sulfur-Containing Odorants

  1. Methyl Acrylate (MA)

  2. Ethyl Acrylate (EA)

  3. Methylethyl Pyrazine: Found in foods like coffee and wines.


Natural gas odorizers are vital for ensuring the safety and efficiency of gas transportation. At Burgess Pipeline Services, we offer a range of odorization solutions tailored to meet your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about our advanced odorization systems and how we can support your operations.

 
 
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