The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-25


DR.. Broadus will remain in the city for sew
eral days, and will be guest Of MIR. T. A.
Wilbur.
KERosENE On. AND LAMps.-1here is much
inquiry Oh foot at present in regard to the
danger or inoouousness Of the several pro-
ducts of the oil wells, manufactured for illu-
minating purposes. Kerosene, coal oil or Pc
trolsum, as the product is indiferently called
| in different sections Of the country, has come
into almost universal use. 1t is cheap, and
furnishes an excellent light, and although
there is vague impression that it's use is not
altogether safe, and although fatai accidents
have occurred again aud again, yet every one
seems to think he or she is safe, because they
believe that with proper care these accidents
will Lot OCCUR. We have looked into the mat
ter somewhat, and gathered the following
facts:
Crude petroleum is composed Of variety
of liquids-some are liquids, some are volatile,
at very low, others at higher temperatures
By distilation these substance are separated,
and all Of them brought into use. Gasoline,
the most volatile passes off first, and lis the
most inhammable and dangerous Of these SUBJ
stances. Naphtha, the next in volatility, pass
es off after the gasoline. 1t has strong, Pc
culiar odor, is very infammable, and the more
distillers, or afterwards mixed with good oil,
by nefarious spectators, the more inferior and
Objectionable the article for use in lamps, on
account of it's infammabiGty.
Refined petroleum is that which next passes
off. and is of such nature that, when proper
ly prepared, will not ignite at temperature
less than Ito degrees Fahrenheit, which is, Of
course, much higher than is ever attained in
ordinary lamps. This is tho Illuminating oil
30 universally used and known as kerosene,
and after proper treatment in the refining pro-
ceases, is as safe for use as sperm or other
oils. The remainder is heavy oil with other
substances, and usually called lubricating oil.
The test which at present is almost univer-
sal is an igniting point of Ito degrees Fahren-
heit, obtained by oil being put into glass
cup, about three inches wide and three inches
deep, which is immersed in a tin vessel filled
with water, under which is applied an alcohol
lamp, the oil heated at the rate Of about 10
minutes from 90 degrees to one hundred and
ten degrees, or about one degree per minute,
and when heated faster than that, the lamp is
temporarily Withdrawn. Into this oil the bulb
of thermometer is permanently suspended,
80 that the oil will just cover it. The oil is
not stirred nor touched. When the oil has
arrived within some FIVE degrees Or ten degrees
Of the point desired, the lamp is withdra Wn,
and the oil comes up to the desired temper
ature by the heat Of the water of the bath In
which it is immersed, care being taken to tit
the cup containing The oil tight at the top by
means of lip. RI the igniting point obtained
Is one hundred ten degrees, the flashing
point will ge.aLy De found some degrees
or 10 degrees less; but by rapid heating OF the
water, or still more where the fame is applied
direct, that portion of the oil in immediate
contact gets warmer, and the flashing point
can be obtained at almost any point, and even
igniting al some degrees less.
We thus see that much depends upon the
reliability Of the manufacture. If ne buy our
kerosene from regular dealer, Of character
and standing, who knows his business, we may
be reasonably sure that we obtain good and
safe article. There is great difference also
in lamps. AS general thing, those with glass
chimneys are deemed least liable to accidents
from explosion. Chimneys, however, have
great tendency to crack and break, and there
is, in consequence, great demand for kero
sene lamps, without these fragile appendages
I'm these the burner is usually mounted by 6
brass cap, which soon becomes hot, and thus
creates current Of air sufficient to assist IL
the combustion Of the surplus carbon, set fret
by the more ready union of the hydrogen o
the oil with the atmospheric oxygen.
No lamp ought ever to be filled at night
This should be an absolute rule in all house
holds. Trim your lamps in the day time ant
every day; fill it every morning, keep you
burner clean, and see to it that the wick
long enough to communicate with the oil
Large lamps ought never to be carried about
or il it cannot be avoided, it would be mucl
safer to blow out the light before moving ii
and then re-light. Many fail to take the ne
cessary precautions from belief that unles
the light come in actual and visible contact ii
filing the lamp at night) with the kerosen
L nm