that ‘end of gas bottle’ smell

[Davo_Willow]

Loved the previous post, but got me thinking about that ‘end of gas bottle’ smell. I know it can't be from a leak in the system, so anyone know what causes it?

 

Just curious - Davo

[carlt]

LPG is odourless so they add an odourant, ethyl mercaptan, so you can smell a leak.

 

This settles and becomes more concentrated, as the bottle empties and, at the very end, is so concentrated that it doesn't all burn off, making the smell stronger than usual.

[Davo_Willow]

LPG is odourless so they add an odourant, ethyl mercaptan, so you can smell a leak.

 

This settles and becomes more concentrated, as the bottle empties and, at the very end, is so concentrated that it doesn't all burn off, making the smell stronger than usual.

 

Fantastic! So much knowledge on this forum!

 

Thanks

[allybsc]

LPG is odourless so they add an odourant, ethyl mercaptan, so you can smell a leak.

 

This settles and becomes more concentrated, as the bottle empties and, at the very end, is so concentrated that it doesn't all burn off, making the smell stronger than usual.

 

Sounds like a 1930's starlet!

 

I often wondered what made the smell...thanks x

[alan_fincher]

Sounds like a 1930's starlet!

Or a 1960s/1970s "recreational" drug!

[PaulG]

Or a 1960s/1970s "recreational" drug!

Or a 1960s/1970s character from "Star Trek"

[allybsc]

Or a 1960s/1970s "recreational" drug!

 

I wouldn't know about such things

 

Or a 1960s/1970s character from "Star Trek"

 

I bet she fancied the captain!

[DeanS]

Thanks for the info....good to put more boating puzzle pieces in my head together.

[Chalky]

Sounds like a 1930's starlet!

 

I often wondered what made the smell...thanks x

 

I always thought the name of the architectural feature "Doric Column" would work well for a TV detective.

[allybsc]

I always thought the name of the architectural feature "Doric Column" would work well for a TV detective.

 

I always thought that "Renault" was the little known sister of that well known acting family of three brothers!

[TheWilk]

if I get a boat cat I'm calling her Ethyl Mercaptan, it couldn't be more appropriate!

[Leni]

O Captan! Mer Captan! our fearful trip is done;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coat

[NBMike]

I always thought that "Renault" was the little known sister of that well known acting family of three brothers!

I can't help it. I'm trying to think of three brother actors by the name of Dauphine

[Jo_]

LPG is odourless so they add an odourant, ethyl mercaptan, so you can smell a leak.

 

This settles and becomes more concentrated, as the bottle empties and, at the very end, is so concentrated that it doesn't all burn off, making the smell stronger than usual.

 

My BSS guy told me it was that, as the gas bottle emptied, more air was around in the mix and the ethyl mercaptan mixing with that air enabled us to detect it. Like when him indoors and I are doing our wine tasting, sniffing etc. ... the wine aroma mixed with the air enables our noses to pick up various elements.

 

We humans can detect 50 parts per billion of ethyl mercaptan and it's the skunk smell too! In terms of wine, methoxypyrazines are a key compound and we can detect a billionth of a gram per litre! It's present in high concentrations in unripened grapes (the vegetal/cat's pee elements in some Sauvignon Blanc).

[RLWP]

I can't help it. I'm trying to think of three brother actors by the name of Dauphine

 

I thought the sister was called Megan

 

Richard

[sharpness]

I always thought that "Renault" was the little known sister of that well known acting family of three brothers!

No, thats McCann, not Meganne.

[carlt]

My BSS guy told me it was that, as the gas bottle emptied, more air was around in the mix and the ethyl mercaptan mixing with that air enabled us to detect it.

This is, however, incorrect.

 

There is no more air in a gas bottle when full, as there is when empty or half empty.

[Jo_]

This is, however, incorrect.

 

There is no more air in a gas bottle when full, as there is when empty or half empty.

 

I didn't mean in the bottle but when the gas is coming through into the cooker etc.

[allybsc]

No, thats McCann, not Meganne.

 

I know but it sounds like Meganne!

[Leni]

I know but it sounds like Meganne!

 

Finally, I geddit!

[RLWP]

Finally, I geddit!

 

That's OK, I was prepared to give you some Latitude, that's my Modus operandi

 

Richard

[allybsc]

Finally, I geddit!

 

It's a better joke when spoken!

[carlt]

I didn't mean in the bottle but when the gas is coming through into the cooker etc.

There is still no air (hopefully) until the gas reaches the point of ignition.

 

The only thing you smell is ethyl mercaptan, unburnt due to its greater concentration in the LPG.

 

Yes there is a higher concentration in the air that hits your nose, due to the reason I put in my first post.

 

You can smell it because there is more of the gas present, logically reaching the conclusion that there is fractionally less, not more, air.

Edited May 17, 2012 by carlt