Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 February 1886 — Refining of Petroleum. [ARTICLE]

Refining of Petroleum.

Processes vary in different establishments, but they are essentially as follows: The crude oil is emptied into stills made of heavy lioiler irou, either in a cylindrical form (placed horizontally), or with oval top and corrugated bottom, underneath which is the furnace •fire. Every refinery lias,,a, senes of these stills, each containing from COO to 1,500 barrels. The former are twelve and a half feet in diameter and thirty feet in length. The heat of the causes vapors to' rise from tlie most volatile portions of the oil within three hours after firing up. This vapor enters a coil,-or worm, of iron pipe submerged in cold water. The water codls or condenses the vapor into a liquid called “distillate.” This condensation in some refineries is effected by permitting the vapor to escape into confined boxes of water, or condensers. In. this box or condenser the* vapor is converted into a distillate which passes ‘ through a pipe to the “receiving-room,” and tlie water sinks to the bottom of the condenser, and is withdrawn. All distillate is sent to the receivingroom, where a separation is made according to its density. All that is below- 60 degrees B. (Baume, standard of density ), and down to 40 degrees 8., is turned into a tank for kerosene' distillates. The lighter portions, or the earlier runs from the still, go into naphtha, gasoline, or benzine tanks, while the heavier oils, below 38 de.grees 8., go into the manufacture of paraffine and lubricating oil. Tlid lightest vapor is called “rhigolene,” ranging from 115 degrees to 105 degrees 8., though it and the second run are usually turned into the naphtha tanks. When , saved it is used as an amesthetie, The next product is known as “cymogene,” ranging from 105 degrees to 95 degrees 8., and is sometimes used in ice-macliines. Below this is gasoline, 95 degrees to 80 degrees 8., used largely in country houses for manufacturing gas. Tlie'Park Avenue Hotel, New York, the Grand Union, Saratoga, and the Hotel Kaaterskill are lighted by this kind of gas. • Next comes naphtha, 80 degrees to 6,5 degrees 8., which is* Extensively used in South American towns for street-lamp lighting, and in conjunction with benzine, 65 degrees to 60 degrees 8., as a substitute for turpentine in mixing varnishes and paints. They are also used as a solvent to remove stains and and for cleaning wools, and for this? purpose are of superior value. Finally we come to that portion of the distillate intended for kerosene. It is relatively free from the obnoxious and inflammable elements that characterized the earlier rims from the stills, but it is necessary to subject it to further treatment, This distillate, therefore, is conveyed into a still, where live steam is injected into it, the gentle heat driving oft' through a pipe a large proportion of its remaining inflammable ingredients. The method of one of the leading manufactories in producing tlieir higli-test oil is to introduce the oil in the lower part of a tank of water heated to a temperature of 206 degrees V. , or just below the boiling-point. The oil rises through the water, and the rapor which is thus generated is carried Away; the remaining portion of the improved distillate is. conveyed to a large lank called the “agitator: In this agitator the distillate is treated with one and a half to two per cent, of sulphuric acid. Meanwhile a current pf air is forced down a tube submerged in the distillate. The air escapes from perforations, at its lower extremity, breaking up the acid into minute particles or atoms, which insures tlie closest commingling and admixture of the oP and aoid. The pitch which is held in suspension in the distillate has a greater affinity for the sulphuric acid, and consequently flies, to its embrace. When the current of air ceases, the acid in combination with the pitch is precipitated to the bottom and drawn off. The acid acts as a scavenger, “sweetening” the oil. It goes into the agitator as white and clear as water, and comes out a thick, black, and tarry substance, known as “sludge” or spent acid. This sludge, which has a very offensive odor, is either dumped in deep oeean ©r sent to Barren Island to be used in the manufacture of artificial fertilizers.

The next process is to give the distillate a water bath, for which purpose a large quantity of water is pumped to the top of the agitator, and falling to the bottom, cleanses its contents, removing the light films of acid that may attach to the oil globules. A solution of caustic soil a is next applied in like manner to neutralize any remaining traces of acid, and to complete the deodorization of the oil. This distillate lias now become refined oil. but to lighten and brighten its color it is withdrawn into settling; pans, where it is bleached from twelve to forty-eight hours. It is then barreled or packed in wood-incased tin cans, ami made ready for shipment to consumers at home or abroad. —George R. Gibson, in Harpers Magazine.'