How to Calculate the Perfect Odorant Tank Size for Your Pipeline System

For any pipeline professional, one critical calculation stands between operational efficiency and costly, risky complications: determining the correct size for your odorant storage tank. An undersized tank leads to frequent, disruptive refills, while an oversized tank represents unnecessary capital expenditure and can complicate site logistics.

To simplify this essential planning step, Burgess Pipeline Services is introducing our new free Odorant Tank Size Calculator. This tool provides pipeline engineers and operations managers with a quick, accurate estimate based on industry-standard methodology.

Key Calculation Inputs: Our calculator uses core variables like gas flow, injection rate, and odorant density to determine your annual need and recommend a tank size with a built-in safety factor.

Why Precise Odorant Tank Sizing Is Non-Negotiable

Natural gas is odorless in its pure state. Adding mercaptan-based odorants is a federally mandated safety measure that gives gas its distinctive "rotten egg" smell, allowing leaks to be detected at just one-fifth of the gas's lower explosive limit (LEL). The entire purpose of your odorization system hinges on consistent, reliable injection, which starts with having an adequate on-site supply.

Incorrect tank sizing directly undermines this safety function and creates operational headaches:

• Risk of Odorant Exhaustion: Running out of odorant, especially during periods of high demand or in remote locations, creates a severe, non-compliant safety hazard.

• Increased Costs & Downtime: Frequent refills increase transportation and labor costs and require more operational downtime for tanker access and filling.

• Site Planning Complications: Tanks must fit available space, meet building code restrictions, and allow for safe, accessible refills.

How the Odorant Tank Size Calculator Works: The Methodology Explained

Our calculator automates the standard industry calculation, breaking it down into clear steps. Here is the formula and an example from a real project:

Example Calculation:

• Gas Flow: 1,500,000 standard cubic feet per hour (scf/h)

• Injection Rate: 0.75 pounds per million standard cubic feet (lb/MMSCF)

• Odorant Density: 6.76 pounds per gallon (lb/gal) – varies by blend

• Expansion Factor: 1.20 (20% safety margin)

Calculation Step	Formula	Example Result
1. Pounds per Day	(Gas Flow × 24 hrs × Inj. Rate) / 1,000,000	(1,500,000 × 24 × 0.75) / 1,000,000 = 27 lb/day
2. Gallons per Day	Pounds per Day ÷ Odorant Density	27 / 6.76 = 3.99 gal/day
3. Annual Usage	Gallons per Day × 365 days	3.99 × 365 = 1,456 gal/year
4. Recommended Tank Size	Annual Usage × Expansion Factor (e.g., 1.20)	1,456 × 1.20 = 1,747 gallons

Beyond the Calculation: Partnering with Burgess Pipeline Services for Complete Odorization Integrity

An accurate tank size is just the first step. Ensuring your entire odorization system performs reliably under all conditions is where Burgess Pipeline Services excels. We provide the expertise and technology to translate your calculations into real-world safety and compliance.

• Expert Odorant Selection: We help you select the right mercaptan blend (like TBM or THT) for your specific gas composition and conditions to combat challenges like odor fade, where odorant is absorbed by new pipe walls.

• Advanced Injection Systems: From our high-precision BPS 50MM Odorization System for large-volume pipelines to specialized solutions for low-flow conditions, we provide technology that ensures consistent odorant levels.

• Proactive Pipeline Conditioning: For new or cleaned pipelines, our pickling services pre-treat the pipe to stabilize the inner surface, preventing the initial adsorption of odorant and ensuring immediate, effective leak detection from day one.

• Temporary & Mobile Solutions: We offer reliable mobile odorizers for maintenance periods, blow-downs, or new line commissioning, ensuring continuous safety coverage without interrupting your operation.

Optimize Your Pipeline Safety Today

Don't leave a critical safety component like odorant supply to guesswork. Use our free calculator to get your baseline tank size, and see how simple planning can enhance your operational reliability.

Ready to ensure complete odorization integrity? Use the Free Odorant Tank Size Calculator Now

For a comprehensive review of your odorization strategy, from tank sizing to system design and pipeline conditioning, contact the experts at Burgess Pipeline Services. Let us help you build a safer, more compliant, and efficient pipeline system.Visit www.burgessps.com or call (323) 609-5009 to discuss your project.