A process and apparatus has been developed which can evacuate natural gas odorants containing mercaptan (thiols) and sulfide compounds from odorant vessels, tanks, and containers without releasing the odorant to the atmosphere. Through the use of this process, it is possible to remove mercaptan containing materials from a vessel, transfer the material to disposal containers, decontaminate the vessel, dispose of the mercaptan waste at a permitted facility, and remove the vessel or tank from service and send it to a metals recycler. The process instantly destroys all mercaptan and sulfide odors.

Appropriate safeguards to control odor release, fire, and explosion are employed throughout the removal process.

No odors are discernable during the evacuation process. Air samples have been collected during material removal and from the final air discharge of the apparatus. Results of laboratory analyses (GC/MS) of the influent air indicated the presence of the organic compounds presented below.

• Thiobismethane
• 2-methyl-2-propanethiol
• (1,1-dimethylethyl)(1-methylpropyl)disulfide
• Bis(2-methylpropyl)disulfide
• Butyl(1,1-dimethylethyl)disulfide

Results of laboratory analyses from effluent air samples are non-detect for all compounds.