Hydrogen odorant
Encyclopedia
A hydrogen odorant in any form, is a minute amount of odorant
such as ethyl isobutyrate, with a rotting-cabbage-like smell, that is added to the otherwise color
less and almost odor
less hydrogen gas, so that leak
s can be detected before a fire or explosion
occurs. Odorants are considered non-toxic in the extremely low concentrations occurring in hydrogen gas delivered to the end user.
The approach is not new, for the same safety reasons the odorant tert-butyl mercaptan
is used in natural gas
.
Aroma compound
An aroma compound, also known as odorant, aroma, fragrance or flavor, is a chemical compound that has a smell or odor...
such as ethyl isobutyrate, with a rotting-cabbage-like smell, that is added to the otherwise color
Color
Color or colour is the visual perceptual property corresponding in humans to the categories called red, green, blue and others. Color derives from the spectrum of light interacting in the eye with the spectral sensitivities of the light receptors...
less and almost odor
Odor
An odor or odour is caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds, generally at a very low concentration, that humans or other animals perceive by the sense of olfaction. Odors are also commonly called scents, which can refer to both pleasant and unpleasant odors...
less hydrogen gas, so that leak
Leak
A leak is a hole or other opening, usually unintended and therefore undesired, in a container or fluid-containing system, such as a tank or a ship's hull, through which the contents of the container can escape or outside matter can enter the container...
s can be detected before a fire or explosion
Explosion
An explosion is a rapid increase in volume and release of energy in an extreme manner, usually with the generation of high temperatures and the release of gases. An explosion creates a shock wave. If the shock wave is a supersonic detonation, then the source of the blast is called a "high explosive"...
occurs. Odorants are considered non-toxic in the extremely low concentrations occurring in hydrogen gas delivered to the end user.
The approach is not new, for the same safety reasons the odorant tert-butyl mercaptan
Butanethiol
Butanethiol, also known as butyl mercaptan, is a volatile, clear to yellowish liquid with a fetid odor, commonly described as "skunk" odor. In fact, butanethiol is structurally similar to several major constituents of a skunk's defensive spray...
is used in natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
.