On Dec 28, 12:11*am, "Existential Angst" wrote:
"Steve W." wrote in message

...





Existential Angst wrote:

The taste was likely due to the Butane that they add for winter use of
propane.
If it tasted sort of like weak weld smoke then it would be the butane
reacting with the catalyst.

Well, this was on natural gas.
But, altho it has been some time, "weak weld smoke" might characterize
it, altho I kind of like welding fumes.
I
But what catalyst are you referring to?
I *was speculating that the ceramic *might* be acting as a catalyst, but
do you know this for sure??

The "ceramic" is actually a metalized item that uses a catalytic reaction
to reduce the CO and convert more of the combustion gases into heat.
The taste is still likely trace butane in the mix. It gets added to help
the lower gases ignite easier when it's cold.

Well, NG is methane, don't think they put butane in there, but there is some
sulfurized hydrocarbon in there, so you can detect gas leaks.

That ceramic must be the problem, then, at least in my cheapie units --
forgot the brand, but I think most proly heard of them.
--

Right, mostly methane. You can google up MSDS's for composition.
Here's one:

https://www.nwnatural.com/uploadedFi...yDataSheet.pdf

Sulfur compounds while down in the ppm level are not insignificant as
a few ppm of the sulfur dioxide combustion product could be
irritating.

Someplace I have an analysis for natural gas in the PA area. Will
have to find it.