RV blogs, social media groups and You Tube videos have exploded over the past couple of years. Some provide great information, others questionable information and some downright bad information. Can you tell the difference? In this regular column we will post a question based on information we find online. You can then test your RV prowess by seeing how your answer compares with our experts.
Today’s Question
Is the following statement fact or fiction? “Propane gas has no odor.”
*Paraphrased/condensed from (this source)
What do you think?
##RVT1105
https://www.hsdl.org/c/school-gas-explosion-75-years-ago-prompted-odorization-law-used-today/
Interesting (but sad). Thanks, Mike! Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
It does not on its own….however an odorant is added to make it detectable…..
A better question is why does there seem to be propane leaking everywhere after I eat chili or White Castle?
Too funny, Rick! I’m eating a bowl of chili as I’m moderating the most recent comments!😅 Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Both. My understanding is that propane gas is odorless, but that the”rotten egg” smell is added to the commercial product so that people can detect it’s presence if there is a leak and avoid striking a flame and blowing themselves up…
ANY propane I’ve used has a smell.
Even though I put that it has an odor, my understanding is that there is an additive used to add an odor for identifying leaks. So in original form, no odor, but commercially it does.
My understanding is that in very low concentration hydrocarbon gases do have a slight odor that are momentarily detectable. However, at higher concentrations the olfactory nerves are deadened to it and the person smells nothing. Therefore a odor is introduced into the gas that remains detectable. Hydrogen sulfide, a byproduct of some oil field production, is quite deadly and non-detectable. If you see a wind sock at an oil field facility stay away or at least upwind.
Propane has no odor. Mercaptan is added to make it smell so we can detect it.
Ethyl Mercaptan is added to create the odor. Propane is made without odor. 1 gallon of the stink is added to 25,000 barrels of propane. It’s powerfully stinky stuff!
Propane is undetectable by the human nose. But try to find propane (or natural gas) with a scent additive.
Capstan is added to give propane an odor.
Yes, it stinks, I smelled it in the car. I don’t think I’d smell it outside.
Instead of asking for the public’s opinion, why don’t you give some infomation for those who may be confused. BTW it’s question that has more than a true/false answer.
No it doesn’t. There’s only one answer.
Propane has no odor. Nat gas has no odor. That’s why they “perfume” it with mercaptan.
It’s a trick question that can be proven wrong no matter how one votes. I did not vote for that reason.
Me too. What’s the point of a trick question?
It’s to be sure you are aware of the smell to prevent disasters. That’s why you see blown up RVs and many other disasters.
You are absolutely correct. My reason for not voting as well.
Natural Gas is also Odorless but has an fragrance added like Propane.
Odor is added to propane gas so we can smell it!
Correct. It’s called stenching in the industry.