Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1859-12-10
kerosene OIL

The establishment of Kerosene Oil Manufac-
tory, IN this city, has caused considerable talk
and many have thought that the effect was preja-
decal to the great interest of the city, but the fact
is that it will decide great commercial question
whether coal oil can be manufactured in sufficient
quantities and such prices to cause it to take
the place Of whale oil. If it can, then the profit
OF the fishery will be reduced, and it will have to
be in great tmeasure abandoned but if not then oil
will retain Its place, and it will be safe to prose-
cute the fishery to the same OF even q greater
extent than at present.
1t was to decide this question that Mr.. Abraham
Ii. Howland and others of this city have erected
works and are endeavoring to test the cheapness
and comparative merits of the two oils and either
way the result will be beneficial to the commercial
interest of New Bedford. .'--'>
For lighting rooms and buildings whale Oil. has
for long time been pretty generally abandoned.
In all large places gas works have been put up and
the use of that light is general. Various kinds of
burning fluids have been manufactured, but the
danger attending the of them has been so great
that they have one and all been put out of the
question.
Kerosene oil gives a strong, clear light, does not
smoke, is not explosive has no bad smell and does
not require much trimming, that is the refined OIL
which is worth Sl.25 per gallon. The cost of
burning this OIL 10 single lamp is about l cent
per hour.
The coal from which the oil is made is Camel
coal. IL is first placed in retort and subjected
to dry distllatiOn by which its elements, carbon
hydrogen, nitrogen, potash, with a mixture of
silica and sometimes trace Of sulphur are set free
and form new products. being subsequently con-
densed ntOlquOrs in coiled copper worm attach
ed to the still.
The FIST liquor is Naptha, which is highly in
fammable. By different process this Napths is
converted into BenzOle. BY treating BenzDle with
nitric acid. Nitro Benzole is formed. The next
fluid coming from the still is what is called Kero-
sene Oil. By redistiling, Creosote OF Carbonic
acid is produced, and from the latter Carbozotic
acid.
still is a heavy oil now used very extensively for
lubricating machinery, and this oil when exposed
to cold produces parafined or coal wax, which is
made into candles.
From this heavy oil Ryanol is also extracted.
which gives beautiful blue dye. -e
The coke which is left in the still is used for
fuel. and plumbago Of q superior quality can be
made from it. The Ammonia water mixed with
other cheap ingredients is valuable fertilizer.
The works in this city are now in full operation,
and about 1000 gallons per week can be manufac-
turcd.
The first kettle full of refined oil was taken off
this morning and contained 500 gallons of superb
or quality. .- I'd. ..
1t will take some time yet, however, to test the
fact Ofits cheapness and whether il can ever sue
cessfuy compete with whale oil or not. If it can,
there is still enterprise enough in New Bedford to
make it the great oil mart of the country, and the
only difference will be that the capital will be in
factories instead Of ships. IN. b. Paper.