mercaptan was first added to natural gas in 1937.
mercaptan was first added to natural gas in 1937.
when was mercaptan first added to natural gas?
1937
natural gas distributors were required to add thiols, originally ethanethiol, to natural gas (which is naturally odorless) after the deadly new london school explosion in new london, texas, in 1937. many gas distributors were odorizing gas prior to this event. most gas odorants utilized currently contain mixtures of mercaptans and sulfides, with "t"-butyl mercaptan as the main odor constituent in natural gas and ethanethiol in liquefied petroleum gas (lpg, propane). in situations where thiols are used in commercial industry, such as liquid petroleum gas tankers and bulk handling systems, an oxidizing catalyst is used to destroy the odor. a copper-based oxidation catalyst neutralizes the volatile thiols and transforms them into inert products.
thiol
bullet::::- 2-methyl-2-propanethiol, commonly called "tert"-butyl mercaptan, is added as a blend of other components to natural gas used as fuel gas.









































bullet::::- butane-1-thiol, commonly called butyl mercaptan, is a chemical intermediate.









































bullet::::- grapefruit mercaptan (grapefruit)









































bullet::::- methanethiol, commonly called methyl mercaptan (after eating asparagus)









































bullet::::- furan-2-ylmethanethiol, also called furfuryl mercaptan (roasted coffee)









































bullet::::- benzyl mercaptan (leek or garlic-like)









































section::::other aroma compounds.:miscellaneous compounds.









































bullet::::- methylphosphine and dimethylphosphine (garlic-metallic, two of the most potent odorants known)









































bullet::::- phosphine (zinc phosphide poisoned bait)









































bullet::::- diacetyl (butter flavor)









































bullet::::- acetoin (butter flavor)









































bullet::::- nerolin (orange flowers)









































bullet::::- tetrahydrothiophene (added to natural gas)
aroma compound