ODORIZATION OF NATURAL GAS

TOPICS TO BE COVERED
1. Introduction of odourization
2. Types of odorants and properties
3. Types of odourization
4. Monitoring of odourization
References
1. INTRODUCTION OF ODOURIZATION

 Natural Gas has inherently odorless, colorless, and

tasteless [1].

 Many accidents occurs due to leakage of natural gas.

 Odourization is very important for easily detection of

natural gas.

 Odourization of NG is technique including addition of an

odorant of gas.
2. TYPES OF ODORANTS [2]
 Gas odorants can be classified into two basic groups.

1. Classic – sulfur based

2. New types sulfur-free odorants

 Sulfur free based on acrylates

 Sulfur based odorants are subdivided to alkyl

mercaptans, alkyl sulfides and cyclic sulfides
CONTINUE….
1. Tetrahydrothiophene (THT) [2]

 THT is the exclusive representation of cyclic sulfides

used in odourization of gas

 THT is most resistant to pipeline oxidation a due to its

low odor impact

 it is difficult to over-odorize with this type of odorant.

 THT is slightly skin irritant and has a moderate narcotic

effect.
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2. Dimethyl sulfide (DMS)

 DMS is characterized by good oxidation strength and good

soil permeability.

 It is mainly used in blends with Tertiary Butyl Mercaptans.

 It is not suitable for vaporization type odorizer because of its

high vapor pressure.

 DMS is a “garlic stinking”

 It is effect first on stimulates and then frustrates the

nervous system.
CONTINUE….

3. Tert-butyl mercaptans (TBM)

 Typical “gassy odor”, low odor threshold, high oxidation

resistance (highest among mercaptans) and good soil
penetration.

 The main disadvantage is its high freezing point.

CONTINUE…

 Others odorants are listed below:

1. N-Propyl mercaptans (NPM)

2. Isopropyl mercaptans (IPM)

3. Methyl acrylates (MA)

4. Ethyl acrylates (EA)

5. Ethyl mercaptans (EM)

CONTINUE….
 The desirable properties of an ideal odorants [3].

• low boiling point

• low corrosives

• low toxicity

• Easily detectable

• little or no olfactory fatigue

3. TYPES OF ODOURIZATION
 There are two types of odourization.

1. Bypass odourization

2. wick type odourization

1. Bypass odourization [2]

 Due to its simplicity this method of odourization was

widely used.
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Pressure reducing element

Figure. Schematic diagram of bypass odorizer

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 By strangling the mainstream of natural gas in the
pipeline difference of pressures is reached so that partial
flow of fuel gas proportional to the mainstream of fuel gas
passes through the tank with odorant above its surface,
saturates with odorant vapors and returns to main gas
stream.

 Odorant dosage can be changed by changing the

strangling of fuel gas mainstream.
CONTINUE….

 The device was used for fuel gas odourization up to the

flow of 10 000 m3/h.

 These devices are suitable for both local odourization

and additional odourization of fuel gas in central
odourization.
CONTINUE….
2. Wick type odourization[2]

 Odourization by means of wick odorizes is one of the

oldest and simplest methods.

 It is based on free evaporation of the odorant from the

wick into the gas stream.

 It was still used for odourization of small amounts of gas.

 The device consists of a storage tank with odorant into

which the wick extends through a hole.
CONTINUE….

 The other end of the wick is placed directly in the

stream of fuel gas.

 Dosage was controlled only by setting the size of

the wick.

 The disadvantage of the original device was that

during low gas flow could be over odorized and
vice versa the intensity of odourization could be
insufficient during high gas flow.
4. ODOURIZATION MONITORING [1-2]

 The odourization of natural gas is to ensure such

operating condition when natural gas in every
part of the distribution networks satisfy the
requirement of a “warning odor level”.

 In case of a gas leakage, odorant must be readily

detectable at one-fifth the lower explosive limit
by someone with a normal sense of smell.

 Odourization level can be verified by:

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 The odourization level control – which can be done by
olfactometer in selected points on distribution grid.
 The concentration of odorants in natural gas can be
estimated continuously or discontinuously in selected
points on grid.
 The most common methods in monitoring odorant
concentration is the sniff test. The concentration of
odorants in natural gas can be estimated continuously
or discontinuously in selected points on grid.
REFERENCES

1. S. West, “‘A combustible gas in a distribution

line must contain a natural odorant or be
odorized so that at a concentration in air of one-
fifth (20%) of the lower explosive limit, the gas
is readily detectable by a person with a normal
sense of smell.,’” pp. 1–6, 1937.
2. D. Tenkrat, T. Hlincik, and O. Prokes, “Natural
Gas Odorization,” Nat. Gas, 2010.
3. J. Quaglio and U. States, “Odorization,” Pet.
Eng. Guid. to Oil F. Chem. Fluids, pp. 455–475,
2015.