Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-08-25
MISCELLANEOUS.

RESOURCES OF WEsTERS VIRGINIA-The follow
ug article, from the kanawha Valley Star, will be
read With pleasure by all who take an interest in the
development Of the resources of Virginia. The ex
tension Of cur lines of Improvement aud the ncreas-
ed facilities for trade are gradually intusing new
spirit of enterprise in every section, which cannot
otherwise than greatly enhance the interests of the
State and the welfare Of the people. The Camel
Coal Oil mandatory We look upon as one Of several
new enterprises recently commenced, destined to
yield large profits to these engaged in it:
CAMEL Coal OiL.-Messrs. Coones, Pickett g.
Co., have commenced the Manufacture OF Camel
Coal Oil upon their coal property in this valley and
about twenty.sx miles above Charleston. They are,
al present. making two hundred gallons Of oil per day.
i'll n crude state, from camel coal
The manner of extracting the crude oil from can
mel coal is very simple The coal is frat broken up
into small pieces, not larger in size than hens egg,
then placed into retorts, and heat is applied TO the
sides aud top Of the retorts. AZ the same time the
beat Is applied externally to the reorts, stream Of
steam Intensely hot is thrown into each retort-
This combination Of heat partially L9uifes the
coal and causes the oily matter of the cos to escape
in semi. gaseous and semi liquid condition through
pipes leading from the bottom Of each retort. The
oily matter thus coming from the various retorts Is
discharged into one large pipe, which leads into
very large reservoir of cold water This large pipe
enters in at the top of the reservoir and after making
many revolutions stillworm like) in the water OF the
reservoir passes out of the reservoir at the bottom
The oily matter in passing through this large pipe
becomes condensed and Immediately after leaving
the reservoir it discharges itself gas, ndter and
crude OIL into cisern. The gas then makes its exit
through pipe at the top of the oil factory; the wa
ter which comes from the intensely heated steam and
vapor Of the coal, is conducted off by small tube
and the crude oil, which rises above the water
aud to the top Of the sis:eru, is drawn off by pipe
likewise.
This is the simple process Of making the crude OF
from camel coal.
Messrs. Coones, Pickett & Co, have received,
lately some very large reiorts, aud WILL in the course
Of few weeks. have them also in operation. With
these last named retorts and those already in opera
lion, they will make, daily, 1000 gallons Of crude oil
These gentlemen have also made arrangements, and
will erect next spring. very large brick building, in
which they will operate ~ Of the large sized retortS,
which will enable them to make, at their camel coal
oil factory, 5000 gallons Of crude oil daily. The
market price Of this oil now, in New York. is W cents
per gallon.
These gentlemen intend clarifying and refining the
crude oil at Maysvie, Ky. The uncertainty of navi'
CATION in the kanawha river prevents them from
erecting refining establishment i'll this county.
From the crude oil is obtained benzoe, Illuminating
oil, ubricating oil, and paraine. Benzole is All in.
aammable liquid, and para6ne is like white wax, and
we'll suited for candles. After extracting the oil FROM
the COAL there lett coke, which ie used in the fur
naces under the retors, for fuel and answers nearly
water that comes from the coal, aud 10 discharged
iuto the cistern is called ammonia ratcr and ia said
TO possess fue mauuring qualities. Last week up
words Of loo gallons of this oil were shipped TO
Maysville, Ky.
.