ASTM D6273-98

Standard Test Methods for Natural Gas Odor Intensity

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: 09-May-1998
• ICS: 75.060 - Natural gas
• Technical Committee: D03 - Gaseous Fuels

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D6273-98(2003) - Standard Test Methods for Natural Gas Odor Intensity
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2003

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D 6273 – 98
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Methods for
1
Natural Gas Odor Intensity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6273; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2.2 intensity, n—the magnitude of odor perceived by the
operator.
1.1 These test methods cover the procedures for determin-
3.2.3 low pressure, n—for the purpose of these test meth-
ing the odor intensity of natural gas through the use of
ods, low pressure refers to natural gas pressure less than or
instruments that dilute and mix the sampled natural gas with
equal to the maximum inlet pressure specified by the manu-
air. The mixed gas stream is then sniffed by the operator for the
facturer of the gas dilution apparatus.
purpose of determining the threshold detection level or the
3.2.4 operator(s), n—the person(s) performing the testing
readily detection level, or both, for odorant in the natural gas
described in these test methods. Because of the nature of the
stream.
testing described herein, the operator shall be qualified to
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
perform this work (see 5.2).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.5 readily detectable level, n—the concentration of natu-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ral gas and odorant mixture in air which the operator is able to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
detect and identify natural gas odor.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.6 threshold detection level, n—the concentration of
2. Referenced Documents
natural gas and odorant mixture in air which the operator is
barely able to detect an odor.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
3.3 For definitions of terms related to natural gas that are
D 4150 Terminology Relating to Gaseous Fuels
2
used in these test methods, refer to Practice D 5287.
D 5287 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Gaseous Fuels
3.4 For definitions of terms related to olfactory testing that
E 253 Terminology of Sensory Evaluation of Materials and
3
are used in these test methods, refer to Terminology E 253.
Products
4. Significance and Use
3. Terminology
4
4.1 Federal regulations state: “A combustible gas in a
3.1 Definitions:
distribution line must contain a natural odorant or be odorized
3.1.1 odorant, n—sulfur-bearing compound that gives natu-
so that at a concentration in air of one-fifth of the lower
ral gas a distinctive odor. For the purpose of these test methods,
explosive limit, the gas is readily detectable by a person with
natural gas odorants may be compounds that are present at the
a normal sense of smell.” These regulations state further that
wellhead or commercial mixtures that are added to the gas
“each operator shall conduct periodic sampling of combustible
stream, or both.
gases to assure the proper concentration of odorant in accor-
3.1.2 olfactory fatigue, n—desensitization of the sense of
dance with this section.” Additionally, a number of states have
smell through either prolonged exposure or repeated exposure
enacted legislation that requires natural gas to be odorized so
over a short period of time to an odor, a mixture of odors, or
that it is detectable at concentrations less than one fifth of the
series of odors.
5
lower explosive limit. While regulations do not specify the
3.1.3 sniff, vi—smell or snuff with short, audible inhala-
exact method for determining compliance, it has been docu-
tions.
6
mented that compliance testing must be olfactory in nature.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
4.2 These test methods cover procedures to measure the
3.2.1 high pressure, n—for the purpose of these test meth-
odor level of natural gas by way of olfactory determination. No
ods, high pressure refers to natural gas pressure greater than the
direct correlation may be ascertained between these test
maximum inlet pressure specified by the manufacturer of the
methods and those methods available or under development
gas dilution apparatus.
1 4
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of Committee D-3 on Gaseous 49 CFR Part 192.625.
5
Fuels and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D03.05 on Determination of For example, Massachusetts Section 192.625 MFS Standards requires that “.
Special Constituents of Gaseous Fuels. a concentration of fifteen hundredths of one percent gas in the air is readily
Current edition approved May 10, 1998. Publi
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