LPG is the short form of Liquified Petroleum Gas. It is the commercial alternative of natural gas. When there is no source of natural fuel for your respective use, there is this resource of fuel, LPG. We know that fuel gases are in general much odorless. The gases do not smell. But why does LPG smell? What is mixed with LPG to make it smell? Let’s try to find out the answer.
About LPG
First of all, we have to know the facts and forecasts for LPG. LPG is pretty much known to you when we remark it as container gas. Most of the time, you will see LPG in the red, or green marked cylinder commercially used. Where there is a shortage of natural fuels around you, you can always go for LPG.
LPG is practically a byproduct of natural gas. When the natural gases are disintegrated from the mines, we get some byproducts with it. As natural gas is formed from animal and plant organs, due to very high pressure and heat beneath the earth’s surface, there is produced natural gas with other compounds.
Natural gas is methane (CH4). But LPG is the mixture of propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10). Even the natural gas and the LPG are of the two different series of hydrocarbons, but the gases do share some identical properties. They are both odorless. They don’t smell. But why we get smells before them?
LPG Smells!
The reason behind smells is pretty simple. As the LPG is for commercial purposes, the benefactors have to keep in mind about its safety. Cause if there happen any unfortunate incidents regarding the uses of it, the commercial purpose would be at stake. Along with the fact that gases are, in most cases, used for producing heat. And without the complete safety measures, this LPG would serve no use.
According to the Gas Ask, a trusted website for any type of gas-related quarries, the reason behind the smells behind LPG is Ethyl Mercaptan. What is Ethyl Mercaptan? And why is it used with LPG even though it creates smells? And what should you do when you get the smells?
Ethyl Mercaptan is compound of hydrocarbons. The chemical symbol of Ethyl Mercaptan is CH3CH2SH. It is used with LPG, in some cases, with the other gases too. It creates the smell behind LPG. The purpose is also pretty simple and for the greater cause, the safety.
As natural gases and other fuels are odorless, if there's any leakage of gases around you, you possibly couldn't feel that. And that gas-leakage can bring any types of dangers and more unfortunate incidents. And to keep you safer from those unwanted, cringy, unfortunate incidents, Ethyl Mercaptan is used. And that's why when there's is any leakage of gases, you can smell the odors and keep yourselves safe.
Get Rid of It!
You can also get rid of that smell if you have any physical or personal problems around it. You can use electric gas detection systems. That will help you warned about those gas-leakages. You don't have to smell either. Check the Gas Ask to know more about gas-related problems and their solutions.
Verdict
Please be safe from any kind of gas-related incidents. Know about those. Be cautious. Be protective.