Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-06-07
Oil from Water.

In certain parts of the Western States,
there is found, floating OH the surface of the
small streams, an oilv substance of the consis-
tency and color of thin molasses, and possess
ius -.---y h;..--;---- I--lt snmetimes
exudes from the earth in what are called 'tar
springs and running into the neighboring
brooks, flows into the larger streams and riv-
ers. For years this article has supplied the
means OF light to the sellers in the neighbor-
hood, who have been accustomed to saturate
a blanket by laying it upon the surface of one
of these streams, and then collecting the float
ing oil. And it has frequently come to pass
that individuals of moderate capacity, of whom
i; has been disparagingly remarked that they
would 'neverset the river on fire, have falsi-
fed the assertion by actually igniting por-
tion of the running stream.
The substance which is thus floating about,
waiting TO be burned, is Petroleum. or as it
is usually called, Rock OIL product of
vegetable decomposition, found in varisus
parts of the world, but especially in the coal
districts of the United States. In the north
western part of Pennsylvania, it may be gath
cred in large quantities, and of quality which
bids fair to render it an important article of
domestic consumption. A company of gentle
men have purchased tract of land in Venan-
go county, Pa, with the view of bringing the
oil into use, and have submitted specimens to
Professor Benjamin Siliman, Jr., of New
Haven, for chemical examination, as to the
value of the article for Illuminating and lubri-
eating purposes.
The result of Professor SlIiman's investi-
cations, which have been carried on during
the past winter, is highly favorable to the sue
cess of the enterprise. By means of distilla-
tion he obtained from the crude material, as
taken from the surface of the water, about 90
per cent. of the whole product, in series of
oils having valuable properties, though not all
equally fitted for illumination and fabrication.
By the original distilation, about fifty per
cent OF the raw material is obtained in the
form of thin, lght-colored oil, of faint BIZ
luminous odor. and density of about 750.-
It's value as an illuminator was tested, with
the following results g.
l. The oil is burned to the best advantage
in the common camphene lamp with glass
cone to direct the current of air, as with an
unprotected wick it smokes badly.
Q. When burned for 12 hours the Uniform
ity of the light was greater than that of cam
phene, and neither the wicks nor the tubes
were crusted. The light was pure and white,
without odor.
8. Tested by photometer, or apparatus
for the measurement of light, the rock oil
proved, in a rigid comparison with other H.
Eliminating agents, superior to them all in in
tensity OF light and economy of consumption.
The article which most nearly approached it
was camphene, which, with more than double
the consumption of fluid, produced degree of
light but one-fifih greater.
As lubricator, the rock oil is pronounced
by Professor Sfliman to possess the advan-
tage Of remaining fluid at temperature of Is
degrees below zero, of being entirely free from
any corrosive quality, and of not becoming
gummy, acid, or rancid by exposure to the
air.
There are other properties of this singular
substance which will add to its Importance as
a natural product of the soil. Professor Sill
liman is now eagaged in series of interesting
experiments upon its value as material for
producing gas, and upon ths product Of the