You cannot see the leak, you cannot hear the leak but you recognize it by the smell.
Oxygen is a gas that is present in the atmosphere and is essential to all living things. Invisible oxygen maintains life. However, major risks are associated with oxygen surplus, i.e. oxygen enrichment (concentration above 22%). When the oxygen content of air rises, combustion speed increases with greater inflammability as a consequence. If oxygen content rises from the normal level of 21% to 24%, combustion speed is doubled.
Because of oxygen’s properties, none of our senses can warn us of a possible oxygen surplus. That is why ODOROX® odorized oxygen is needed.
Oxygen handling risks
The use of oxygen together with a fuel gas always requires great care. A three percent rise (from normal 21% to 24%) in oxygen content doubles the combustion speed. Materials which are not normally regarded as combustible (for example, safety suits) can burn if the oxygen content is high enough.
One in ten workshops has reported accidents caused by oxygen. ODOROX® odorized oxygen means increased safety. It immediately reveals small leaks and minimizes the risk of oxygen enrichment.
ODOROX® odorized oxygen is intended for fuel gas cutting, gas welding and similar work in workshops. Because of its smell, the gas is not suitable for use as breathing oxygen in hospitals, in the handling of foodstuffs or corresponding applications such as fish farming. Odorized oxygen should also not be used for laser and plasma cutting.
Gaseous ODOROX® is supplied to users as a finished product in cylinders or cylinder bundles. Large customers can have an odorant added to liquid oxygen supplied directly into the customer’s gas network.
What is it that smells?
ODOROX® contains bad smelling dimethyl sulphide (DMS). A very small amount of the odorant is enough to immediately warn of any gas leaks and oxygen enrichment and also of any fault in the equipment. A content as low as 0.1 ppm DMS in the atmosphere is enough to warn of oxygen leaks. ODOROX® contains ca. 12 ppm DMS.
The addition of DMS has no negative effect on the welding and cutting process or the environment. When the process works as it should, the DMS is completely combusted in the flame.
ODOROX® odorized oxygen – a guarantee of your safety
ODOROX® odorized oxygen does not replace other safety measures in the handling of oxygen, but supplements them effectively. This is what to do if there in case of a smell:
- Turn off all burners and other equipment
- Warn all those who are in the vicinity
- Close off the main oxygen valve
- Open doors and windows in order to air out excess oxygen
- Locate and seal the leak