VIC
851 posts
A gas leak in North Melbourne.
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Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokeswoman Meg Rayner said the [gas] leak appeared to originate from the shopping centre basement on Weston Street.
"Putting water onto the gas leak helps to 'break it up'," she said. "There is still a thick smell."
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"Putting water onto the gas leak helps to 'break it up'," she said.
HUH??! How does that work?? Can anyone on here enlighten me? Natural gas soluble in water? Farting in a bath full of water sure doesn't appear to 'break it up' as far as I can see. Perhaps I'm missing something?
WA
7298 posts
The flouride reacts with the hydrocarbons to make hydrocarbon flourinite (H6C03Fl7)
This is a poison, but the firies can then add it back into the shopping centre water supply due to lack of regulation.
That is why if you take a leak in a shopping centre toilet is smells like stale cat urine mixed with vomit and vodka, then strained through an old ladies' hair net, the smell is actually volitilites coming off the hydrocarbon flourinite.
The water then undergoes a molecular transformation
Note : I learned all this in Razzonator's Chemical Class Correspondence Skool, so it may not be 100% scientifically accurate
QLD
6525 posts
Silly as it sounds, it works. I worked at a heavy industrial place with the potential of large scale dangerous gas leaks. The scary unit had massive deluge systems to 'knock the gas down' as well as curtain effect deluge systems to create a barrier, as well as remote operated monitors (hydrants with a variable tip capable of 100m spray or fan, controlled by joystick from air-sealed control room) to break up any pockets or spot leaks. The emergency alarm went off one day and the whole lot kicked in shortly after. Was a spectacular sight.
WA
575 posts
In some cases yes, in this case no.
Natural gas wont dissolve in water, but in this case, the smell is due to ethyl-mercaptan which is also not soluble in water.
Putting water on it can however help to distribute/dilute it with air and get it below LEL (lower exposisivity limit) and thus prevent it igniting. Wont help the smell though.
NSW
2575 posts
so its harder to light farts in the shower for more than 1 reason then. thanks. couldnt work that one out for years.
QLD
663 posts
I just couldnt get past the wet match!
