Question

LPG used as domestic fuel is mixed with a strong-smelling liquid for---------.
(A) Better combustion
(B) Good small/fragrance
(C) Detection of gas leakage
(D) Higher calorific value

Answer 1

Hint: Generally a fuel gas does not have any odour. LPG is a mixture of propane and butane and it does not have any odour. By adding a strong-smelling liquid called Ethyl Mercaptan LPG gives a strong smell of rotten cabbages.

Complete step by step solution:
-Generally fuel gases like LPG supplied for domestic use do not have an odour.
-If there is any leak of LPG we cannot find it because we cannot see the gases and there is no odour to LPG.
-So, to detect the leakage of LPG gas a strong-smelling chemical called Ethyl Mercaptan is added.
-After adding Ethyl Mercaptan to LPG we can detect the leakage very easily.
-So, the correct option is C, detection of gas leakage.

Additional information:
-Ethyl Mercaptan is a colourless gas and has a low boiling point.
-The molecular formula of Ethyl Mercaptan is\[{{C}_{2}}{{H}_{6}}S\].
-Ethyl Mercaptan is also called Ethanethiol.
-The structure of Ethyl Mercaptan is as follows.

-Due to the presence of sulphur Ethyl Mercaptan is too smelly.
-Generally Sulphur compounds are smelly in nature.

Note:-Ethyl Mercaptan is only added to LPG gas (used for the domestic purpose), not to CNG, which is used to run vehicles.
LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas
CNG – Compressed Natural Gas (composed of methane gas)
-By adding Ethyl Mercaptan to LPG the calorific value of LPG is not going to affect.