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Why are thiols added to natural gas?
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organosulfur compound
Examples of organosulfur compounds.
Thiols are added to natural gas to serve as warning agents for leaks. Because natural gas is naturally odorless, colorless, and highly flammable, it would be difficult to detect a leak without the addition of an odorant.123
Thiols, which are also known as mercaptans, are characterized by their strong, pungent, and often unpleasant odors—frequently described as skunky or like rotten eggs. These compounds can be detected by the human nose at extremely low concentrations, such as a few parts per billion. By adding a minute quantity of a noxious mercaptan to commercial natural gas, utility companies ensure that any leakage occurring during transport or use can be identified rapidly and safely.145