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Pure natural gas is colourless and odourless. This means if there is a leak people will not be able to detect it until it builds up enough to become explosive.

For this reason a chemical called Mercaptan is added to the gas to make is smell. Mercaptan is harmless, non-toxic and has a strong "rotten egg" smell.

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13y ago

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Who invented the smell added to natural gas?

The odor added to natural gas is called mercaptan. It was first added to natural gas in the 1930s by a chemist named Dr. Walter Snelling.


When was odor added to natural gas?

It was started in the United States in 1937 after a school explosion in New London, Texas caused by a natural gas/air mixture due. Texas started adding odor to natural gas, and it eventually was done across the world.


What is the scent given to natural gas to help detect leaks?

The scent added to natural gas is typically called mercaptan, which has a sulfur-like "rotten egg" smell. This odor is added to natural gas to help individuals detect leaks for safety purposes.


What chemical is added to natural gas and why?

A chemical called mercaptan (specifically tert-butylthiol) is added to natural gas to give it a distinctive odor, commonly described as "rotten egg smell." This odorant is added as a safety measure to help detect gas leaks and prevent potential hazards.


Why does natural gas have a smell added to it before it is supplied to customers?

A chemical called mercaptan is added to natural gas to give it a distinctive odor, like that of rotten eggs. This is done as a safety measure to help detect gas leaks, as natural gas itself is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. The added smell helps people identify leaks quickly and take necessary precautions.


How much mercaptan is in natural gas?

The amount of mercaptan in natural gas can vary, but typically it is added at levels around 1-30 parts per million (ppm) to give natural gas its characteristic sulfur-like odor. This odorant is added for safety reasons to help detect potential gas leaks.


Why does natural gas have a smell deliberately added to it before it goes to customers?

A chemical called mercaptan is added to natural gas to give it a distinct odor. This ensures that people can quickly detect and identify gas leaks, which is crucial for safety. Natural gas itself is odorless and colorless, so the added scent helps alert individuals to potential dangers.


Was rotten egg odor added to natural gas in Texas so inspectors could find gas leaks in lines by watching vulchers?

No! The rotten egg odor you smell is probably sulfur gas.


Why is a smell added to a natural gas?

A distinct odor, often described as rotten eggs, is added to natural gas to make it easier to detect in case of leaks. Natural gas is naturally odorless and colorless, so the added smell helps to alert individuals to potential gas leaks for safety reasons.


Is natural gas colourless?

Natural gas is colorless and odorless. The reason natural gas smells is because a smell is added to it before it is delivered to the consumer. The reason for the added smell is to draw awareness to a gas leak.


What do they put in natural gas to make it smell like eggs?

Mercaptan. Methane, which is the primary ingredient of natural gas, is odorless and colorless. The gas company adds a chemical called mercaptan, which gives natural gas a recognizable sulfur or rotten egg odor.


Is an odor a gas?

No. But some gasses have odors. Natural gas doesn't have an odor but sulfur is added so it can be smelled. Otherwise a leak could go undetected and cause the death of someone living in a house.