Safety first with Gas Odorization

Gas odorization is a critical safety practice in the distribution of natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Because natural gas is naturally colorless and odorless, odorants are added to enable early leak detection by smell, reducing the risk of fire, explosion, and asphyxiation. Among the most widely used odorants are ethyl mercaptan and tetrahydrothiophene (THT), both sulfur-containing compounds with strong, distinctive odors.

Ethyl mercaptan is commonly used in LPG systems. It has a pungent, unpleasant smell often described as “rotten cabbage” or “skunky,” making even small concentrations easily detectable. Its low odor threshold allows leaks to be identified well below hazardous gas concentrations. Ethyl mercaptan blends effectively with propane and butane and remains stable under typical storage and distribution conditions.

THT is frequently used to odorize natural gas in transmission and distribution networks. Compared to mercaptans, THT offers improved chemical stability and resistance to oxidation in long pipeline systems. It has a strong, persistent odor and performs well across a wide range of temperatures and pressures. THT also tends to produce fewer issues with odor fade, a phenomenon where the smell diminishes due to adsorption or chemical reactions within pipelines.

Wintzell & Fried are proud to offer both these gas odorants with a complete delivery set-up to make it as easy and safe as possible for our customers. Contact us for more information!

Ethyl Mercaptan blend
Tetrahydrothiophene