The instrument, which provides a permanent record of all readings, is designed for use by field personnel. Since the nose's sensitivity to odorants varies widely over a normal population of gas users, utilities must have assurance that odorant levels are high enough for most people to detect.
Odorant concentrations can vary throughout a gas distribution system.
GRI recently completed the development of an instrument that a technician could use to check the odorant level in the field. A team of three GRI contractors has come up with a reasonably priced odorant analyzer that is self-powered, easily portable, and simple to operate. It provides a permanent record of all readings taken. Up to now, local distribution companies have relied upon several techniques, none of which were completely adequate. The electrolytic titrator, a wet chemical technique, is more expensive and identifies only classes of sulfur compounds rather than specific odorants.