The smell of natural gas

[sdkubota]

When I was in underground work, I can't tell you the number of times a gas line was cut due to them not locating correctly. On one event a 3" high pressure line was cut and sounded like a large air compressor blowing. Gas company arrived, looked at leak with cigarettes hanging from their mouths and said they would be back after dinner to fix it. When I asked why they weren't worried they said the air/gas mixture has to be exactly correct for ignition and wouldn't occur in the open. A similar story reoccurred probably 30 times in my career.

 

[Bird]

I bet some of the members here have a gas pipeline going through or near their properties. That has to be a concern too, though the local terrorists
are usually four legged.

We have a big Texas Eastern pumping station just over the river, and the pipe comes across the Delaware from NJ less than a mile North of
my home town. And goes to Texas for all I know, but certainly West. When you drive by that pumping station, I swear I can hear a low whine of some sort; it's a big place and the pipe
from my observation is pretty large. I'm going to guess at six feet but maybe it's ten. Any event, big pipe, lots of gas. Get a bleve or fiery leak in one of those and we had backup plans
to get the Oshkosh trucks in from local airports to help. When you bring the truck home and the plastic lens are all soft and melty, you know you've been a bit close. The problem is with big gas lines,
how far away is safe? Could be a serious natural disaster.

I always loved driving behind the New York tourists who would throw their cigarette or cigar butts out right when we passed the gas line. :confused2:

That sounds as if it might be associated with the Tennessee Gas Pipeline that goes all the way from the Texas coast to New Jersey. When I was checking for leaks where a town in Pennsylvania had tapped into it, the pressure in the pipeline was more than 900 psi that day in 1993.

Incidentally, there was a strong odor of "natural gas" at the site, but no leaks. I guess everyone knows that natural gas has no odor until they add the mercaptan, which they were doing at that station. The gas in the pipeline itself would not have had that odor.

 

[daugen]

well it appears the local pipeline isn't big enough because they are putting in another one, which I had no idea of. And three foot pipes, not larger.
Massive natural gas pipeline being built through New Hope and Solebury

Triple R, that article notes some serious pipeline explosions. This new pipe is very close to town, and to the fire station. Not a comforting thought, close being within half a mile.
rotten eggs, aaaahhhh, a lovely smell.


http://www.eia.gov/pub/oil_gas/natural_gas/analysis_publications/ngpipeline/northeast.html

 

[daugen]

It's cool, I was just having a little fun. There are a bunch of Missouri Members.. Depmandog is a lot closer than most of us to that little barbeque.

James K0UA

and all of you look like you are about to get dumped on. Stay safe.

Trouble for the next three days

In all, about 800,000 square miles in 18 states were under some form of watch or warning Wednesday related to a major storm pouring out of California and into the Central Plains and the Midwest, CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller said.

One of the places that could be hit the hardest is Springfield, Missouri. Among the hazards expected there Wednesday: lightning, wind and ice, with a little snow and sleet thrown on top for good measure.

The biggest threat of heavy snow lies in parts of Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, with the possibility of whiteout conditions in some places, he said.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

From my underground days in the coal mine. Methane gas needs to be between about 4.5% and 14.5% concentration in air for combustion.(usually quoted as 5% to 15% for simplicity) The closer to 10% the more violent the explosion. I know everyone says that methane has no odor, but I swear I could smell it before my detector picked it up when I was firebossing in the mine.

 

[k0ua]

and all of you look like you are about to get dumped on. Stay safe.

Trouble for the next three days

In all, about 800,000 square miles in 18 states were under some form of watch or warning Wednesday related to a major storm pouring out of California and into the Central Plains and the Midwest, CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller said.

One of the places that could be hit the hardest is Springfield, Missouri. Among the hazards expected there Wednesday: lightning, wind and ice, with a little snow and sleet thrown on top for good measure.

The biggest threat of heavy snow lies in parts of Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, with the possibility of whiteout conditions in some places, he said.

Yep they keep threatening us with ice, I went and filled up the gas cans about an hour ago,.. Hope it doesnt happen, but probably will.

 

[Egon]

From my underground days in the coal mine. Methane gas needs to be between about 4.5% and 14.5% concentration in air for combustion.(usually quoted as 5% to 15% for simplicity) The closer to 10% the more violent the explosion. I know everyone says that methane has no odor, but I swear I could smell it before my detector picked it up when I was firebossing in the mine.

The chances are good there may have been a little h2s mixed in with the Methane.

 

[Bird]

The chances are good there may have been a little h2s mixed in with the Methane.

I agree; at least a very good guess.

 

[murphy1244]

I got a High pressure Lin on the edge of my property

 

[V1Rotate]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but I have a question.
I am planning to remodel the kitchen and thinking about switching to a gas range from an electric range. I have never had a gas range before and was wondering if they produce any amount of a gas smell while they are being used.