What is the primary purpose of the odorant added to natural gas?

What is the primary purpose of the odorant added to natural gas?

• A. To increase gas energy content
• B. To make the flame blue
• C. To protect pipelines from corrosion
• D. To provide an identifiable odor so customers can detect gas in air

Answer: (D)

Odorization is added to natural gas so leaks can be detected by smell. Pure natural gas is odorless, so a trace odorant with a strong, distinctive smell is mixed in at very low concentrations. This makes people notice gas in the air quickly, enabling them to shut off the supply, evacuate if needed, and call for help before gas can accumulate or ignite. The odorant's job is safety through detectability, not altering energy content or flame color, and it doesn’t serve to protect pipelines from corrosion.

Odorization is added to natural gas so leaks can be detected by smell. Pure natural gas is odorless, so a trace odorant with a strong, distinctive smell is mixed in at very low concentrations. This makes people notice gas in the air quickly, enabling them to shut off the supply, evacuate if needed, and call for help before gas can accumulate or ignite. The odorant's job is safety through detectability, not altering energy content or flame color, and it doesn’t serve to protect pipelines from corrosion.