Rhinology laboratory - Chilton Co Durham

JULY 9, 2008

Facts about gas odorisation and the rhino lab
• The prime method of detecting gas leaks is by smell. Natural gas has no or very little odour and therefore an odour has to be added so that a leak can be readily detected by someone with an average sense of smell.
• A very small amount of a strong smelling component (odorant) is put into the gas to add the odour.
• The amount of odorant added is carefully controlled; too little and the gas odour will be too weak to be detected; too much and the extra odour may be perceived as a nuisance in normal use.
• The Advantica rhinology facility exists for two reasons. 1. It is used in trials by experts in odorisation (known as 'rhinologists') to determine the amount and type of odorant to be used for a particular distribution network. 2. For the training of rhinologists that would carry out routine monitoring of gas odour.
• A lot of science and good scientific practice goes into both of the above, to ensure that the gas will have a distinct odour, readily detectable at a concentration in air well below that at which it would form a potentially explosive mixture and to ensure optimum control of the odour strength
• In the UK we do not just assume that because the gas is odorised it will therefore have a correct odour - there is always the potential, albeit extremely small, for the odour to be lost or masked in some way. Therefore all gas distribution networks (like Northern Gas/UU) employ rhinologists who can make regular assessments of the gas odour as part of their normal duties to ensure it is at the correct strength. This can be thought of as a belt and braces approach in ensuring public safety
• Rhinologists are trained by Advantica at the Bishop Auckland facility (this is the second main reason for it existing). The training involves:
o Confirming that they have a good sense of smell
o Instruction on recognising the correct odour expected in distributed gas
o Instruction on relevant policies and procedures relating to odour monitoring and control
• Despite developments in technology, there is no instrument currently available that can completely mimic the human sense of smell and hence replace rhinologists. However 'electronic noses' as they are known are slowly being developed for certain fields (e.g. medical, food/drink quality control). Advantica carried out feasibility tests to see if such an instrument could be developed for use in gas odour monitoring. We believe it shows promise for the future but development and prove of use would require significant investment in time and money.
• The rhinology facility at Bishop Auckland is almost unique (I know of only one other in Italy). It has been used since the early days of natural gas use in the UK and was moved to the North East from Hertford several years ago when its operation came under Advantica control
• It is not used solely for UK related operations. Advantica has had clients from as far away as Brazil for odorant selection trials and rhinologist training

Fast Facts on Scent:
1. Everyone has a unique smell, except for identical twins.
2. Taste is about 75% smell.
3. Women are born better smellers than men and remain better smellers over life.
4. Smell acuity peaks in women at ovulation.
5. Some people can't smell skunks, while others can't smell freesias.
6. Smell function falls off dramatically in men after their mid-50s, a decade earlier than in women.
7. In a recent study, men thought women wearing a Citrus Floral scent were 12 pounds lighter.
8. Recall can be enhanced if learning is done in the presence of an odor and that same odor is present at the time of the recollection.
9. People recall smells with a 65% accuracy after a year, while the visual recall of photos sinks to about 50% after only three months.
10. Green apple and cucumber scents create the impression of a larger space, while the scent of roasted meat creates the impression of closer quarters.
11. Astronauts in space tend to lose their sense of smell and taste. Because of the lack of gravity, their sinuses fill up with fluid, causing stuffiness similar to a cold.
12. The smell of lavender can help with insomnia and sleep disorders.
13. The aroma of Green Apples can help control appetite.