ASTM D6273-14

Standard Test Methods for Natural Gas Odor Intensity

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Federal regulations (49 CFR Part 192.625) state: “A combustible gas in a distribution line must contain a natural odorant or be odorized so that at a concentration in air of one-fifth of the lower explosive limit, the gas is readily detectable by a person with a normal sense of smell.” These regulations state further that “To assure the proper concentration of odorant with this section, each operator must conduct periodic sampling of combustible gases using an instrument capable of determining the percentage of gas in air at which the odor becomes readily detectable.” Additionally, a number of states have enacted legislation that requires natural gas to be odorized so that it is detectable at concentrations less than one fifth of the lower explosive limit. See Note 1. While regulations do not specify the exact method for determining compliance, it has been documented that compliance testing must be olfactory in nature.4Note 1—For example, Massachusetts Section 192.625 MFS Standards requires that “... a concentration of fifteen hundredths of one percent gas in the air is readily perceptible to the normal or average olfactory senses of a person...”  
4.2 These test methods cover procedures to measure the odor level of natural gas by way of olfactory determination. No direct correlation may be ascertained between these test methods and those methods available or under development that quantitatively measure the concentration of sulfur compounds in natural gas.  
4.3 These test methods outline general procedures to measure the odor detection levels of natural gas. It is the responsibility of persons using these test methods to develop and maintain equipment and specific operating procedures to ensure public safety and compliance with all appropriate regulations.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the procedures for determining the odor intensity of natural gas through the use of instruments that dilute and mix the sampled natural gas with air. The mixed gas stream is then sniffed by the operator for the purpose of determining the threshold detection level or the readily detection level, or both, for odorant in the natural gas stream.  
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2013
• ICS: 75.060 - Natural gas
• Technical Committee: D03 - Gaseous Fuels

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D6273 − 14
Standard Test Methods for
1
Natural Gas Odor Intensity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6273; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.2 olfactory fatigue, n—desensitization of the sense of
smell through either prolonged exposure or repeated exposure
1.1 These test methods cover the procedures for determin-
over a short period of time to an odor, a mixture of odors, or
ing the odor intensity of natural gas through the use of
series of odors.
instruments that dilute and mix the sampled natural gas with
3.1.3 sniff, vi—smellorsnuffwithshort,audibleinhalations.
air.The mixed gas stream is then sniffed by the operator for the
purpose of determining the threshold detection level or the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
readily detection level, or both, for odorant in the natural gas
3.2.1 high pressure, n—for the purpose of these test
stream.
methods, high pressure refers to natural gas pressure greater
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
than the maximum inlet pressure specified by the manufacturer
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of the gas dilution apparatus.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.2 intensity, n—the magnitude of odor perceived by the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
operator.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.3 low pressure, n—forthepurposeofthesetestmethods,
low pressure refers to natural gas pressure less than or equal to
2. Referenced Documents
the maximum inlet pressure specified by the manufacturer of
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the gas dilution apparatus.
D4150 Terminology Relating to Gaseous Fuels
3.2.4 operator(s), n—the person(s) performing the testing
D5287 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Gaseous Fuels
described in these test methods. Because of the nature of the
E253 Terminology Relating to Sensory Evaluation of Mate-
testing described herein, the operator shall be qualified to
rials and Products
perform this work (see 5.2).
2.2 Other Standards
3 3.2.5 readily detectable level, n—the concentration of natu-
49 CFR Part 192.625 Odorization of gas
ral gas and odorant mixture in air at which the operator is able
to detect and identify natural gas odor.
3. Terminology
3.2.6 threshold detection level, n—the concentration of
3.1 Definitions:
natural gas and odorant mixture in air at which the operator is
3.1.1 odorant, n—sulfur-bearing compound that gives natu-
barely able to detect an odor.
ralgasadistinctiveodor.Forthepurposeofthesetestmethods,
3.3 For definitions of terms related to natural gas that are
natural gas odorants may be compounds that are present at the
used in these test methods, refer to Practice D5287.
wellhead or commercial mixtures that are added to the gas
stream, or both.
3.4 For definitions of terms related to olfactory testing that
are used in these test methods, refer to Terminology E253.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of Committee D03 on Gaseous
4. Significance and Use
Fuels and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D03.05 on Determination of
4.1 Federal regulations (49 CFR Part 192.625) state: “A
Special Constituents of Gaseous Fuels.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014. Published February 2014. Originally
combustible gas in a distribution line must contain a natural
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D6273 – 08. DOI:
odorant or be odorized so that at a concentration in air of
10.1520/D6273-14.
one-fifth of the lower explosive limit, the gas is readily
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
detectable by a person with a normal sense of smell.” These
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
regulations state further that “To assure the proper concentra-
the ASTM website.
tion of odorant with this section, each operator must conduct
3
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
periodic sampling of combustible gases using an instrument
Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://
www.dodssp.daps.mil. capableofdeterminingthepercentageofgasinairatwhichthe
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D6273 − 14
odor becomes readily detectable.” Additionally, a number of regulator if an extremely large
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6273 − 08 D6273 − 14
Standard Test Methods for
1
Natural Gas Odor Intensity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6273; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover the procedures for determining the odor intensity of natural gas through the use of instruments
that dilute and mix the sampled natural gas with air. The mixed gas stream is then sniffed by the operator for the purpose of
determining the threshold detection level or the readily detection level, or both, for odorant in the natural gas stream.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4150 Terminology Relating to Gaseous Fuels
D5287 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Gaseous Fuels
E253 Terminology Relating to Sensory Evaluation of Materials and Products
2.2 Other Standards
3
49 CFR Part 192.625 Odorization of gas
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 odorant, n—sulfur-bearing compound that gives natural gas a distinctive odor. For the purpose of these test methods,
natural gas odorants may be compounds that are present at the wellhead or commercial mixtures that are added to the gas stream,
or both.
3.1.2 olfactory fatigue, n—desensitization of the sense of smell through either prolonged exposure or repeated exposure over
a short period of time to an odor, a mixture of odors, or series of odors.
3.1.3 sniff, vi—smell or snuff with short, audible inhalations.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 high pressure, n—for the purpose of these test methods, high pressure refers to natural gas pressure greater than the
maximum inlet pressure specified by the manufacturer of the gas dilution apparatus.
3.2.2 intensity, n—the magnitude of odor perceived by the operator.
3.2.3 low pressure, n—for the purpose of these test methods, low pressure refers to natural gas pressure less than or equal to
the maximum inlet pressure specified by the manufacturer of the gas dilution apparatus.
3.2.4 operator(s), n—the person(s) performing the testing described in these test methods. Because of the nature of the testing
described herein, the operator shall be qualified to perform this work (see 5.2).
3.2.5 readily detectable level, n—the concentration of natural gas and odorant mixture in air at which the operator is able to
detect and identify natural gas odor.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of Committee D03 on Gaseous Fuels and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D03.05 on Determination of Special
Constituents of Gaseous Fuels.
Current edition approved May 1, 2008Jan. 1, 2014. Published May 2008February 2014. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20032008 as
D6273 – 98D6273 – 08.(2003). DOI: 10.1520/D6273-08.10.1520/D6273-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://www.dodssp.daps.mil.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6273 − 14
3.2.6 threshold detection level, n—the concentration of natural gas and odorant mixture in air at which the operator is barely
able to detect an odor.
3.3 For definitions of terms related to natural gas that are used in these test methods, refer to Practice D5287.
3.4 For definitions of terms related to olfactory testing that are used in these test methods, refer to Terminology E253.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Federal regulations (49 CFR Part 192.625) state: “A combustible gas in a distribution line must contain a natural odorant
or be odorized so that at a concentration in air of one-fifth of the lower explosive limit, the gas is readily detectable by a person
with a no
...