Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-12-08

BenZlne, much USED 1Of OfrelhoViES
grease, paint, &C., passes over next.
Though much less inflammab'e than
naphtha or gasoline, it is still too
dangerous for lighting purposes.
From benzine the chemist manu-
fac.ures the beautiful analine dyes
and inks now so popular. The
black waste of the gas rctorts,
which few years ago was an cx-
pensivc nuisance, is now converted
into the varied rainbow tints that
dye the woods and most beautiful
silks. Below 1900 these lighter
oils are distilled-aboye that point
kerosene begins to pass over. At
varying point the distillatien is
stopped, and we have left in the re-
tort, paraiine, and heavy oils used
for lubricating purposes. The man
uiacturer may distil his oil at too
low a temperature, but this is a rare
occurrence. If the Oil is not pure
it is usually dueio the addition of
20 to so or even rs per cent. of
naphtha by the dealer. Such kero-
sene is unsafe but not explosive.
The idea prevails that Kerosene like
gunpowder or nitrog g ycerine, is ex-
plosive, and therefore dangerous.
Water will explode as readily as
kerosene, and pure kerosene is as
safe for burning purposes as water.
But you say kerosene feeds flame!
SO will water, if you heat it hot
enough, and bring it in contact with
the right substances. The really
dangerous benzine or gasoline wtH
not erpfocle nor will their vapor cx-
plode. We must introduce air aud
thoroughly minglc it with their
vapor, in the right proportions, be-
fore an explosive mixture is formed.
This may be done in two ways:
Firs:. When at retiring, near
ly empty lamp is eAtinguished; the
vapor with which it has been filed
cools, partially condenses, al, enters
to FIJI lis place, and an explosive
m.-.C:e may be formed. If lighted
without reiill.ng an explosion may
take place.
Second. When, late in the even
ing, ihe oil is nearly out of the
lamp ,he space above is filed w,,h
varor. ] now ,he lamp IS carried
into cold ioon, or q cold d au9ht
strikes ,ne lamp, the vapor con
denses, air epicrs, and an explosion
may occG'. The vince da GER Of
explosion thus comes rom al mix
ed with vapor, aud may be cutie Y
avoided b. using u la'.e lamp aud
filing it eye.y cay. Most os the
so-called explosions are me;ely
bursts of flame a.,:sing from 'he ig-
milton of a large surface Of volatile
fluid. An ordinary kerosene lamp
filed with good Kerosene VIII be
extirguishcd by ppsetting j., but
woe be to one who upsets lamp
filled with gaso'ene, or the secret
burning fluids. He had better ex-
plode keg Of gunpowder in his
room than to spread this Greek fire
over his floor, for it cannot be ex.
tlnguished with water. But how is
pure kerosene to be known? 1t is,
you say, perfectly safe; but how are
we to know il it IS perfectly pure?
Must we, for lack 0 This knowledge,
give up the use Of this cheap, clean
ly and convenient combustible, and
return to the dull light Of the tallow
candle, or the Inconvenience of the
expensive sperm or lard oil lamp?
Will the farm house again depend
upon the dim dip, and the copntry
lad, or lassic, again, as of old, be
dazzled by the glare Of city gas
lights? Must kerosene be classed
with alcohol and gunpowder, and
must the oily, odorous casks, so
long associated with coffee and cal
icocs in country stores, be separa-
ted from their old companions? No.
A little care will assure one of per-
feet safety in the use of eroscne.-
A simple experiment will decide as
to the quality of the article in
question. The U. S. law says that
no burning fluid, whose burning
point is below l1Oo f., shall be
sold. "A special act was passed by
Congress, March 2nd, 1867, to pun
ish by fine and Imprisonment all
who should sell burning fluid be
low this standard, and the U. 5.
Grand Jury advised the re-enact-
ment of this law by our State Leg
islature. A lighted match should
be instantly eStingu;shed by being
thrust into good oil of the legal
standard. The following simple
test, which may be applied by any
oue, furnishes accurate Information
as to the safely Of the fluid tested
Half fill an ordinary bowl with
boiling water. Insert The bulb OF a
thermometer. The murcury will
rise to about 2oOo f. Slowly poul
in cold water, stirring with ther
mometcr, till the temperature is re
duced to 1lOo (the legal standard)
Now pour on the surface of the wa,
ter a quantity Of the fluid to be
tested, and apply . match. If tho
fluid burns, reject it as dangerous
If a thermometer is not at hand
fill the bowl one-quarter full ot
boiling water; add twice as much
water that has been standing in the
room for some time; pour on The
fluid and apply the lighted match
If the fluid burss reject it. Always
use the thermometer if possible, but
test the oil you buy at any rate
If you do, we will insure yol
against danger from the oil you use
for nothing.
In spite of the fact that insurance
policies are forfeited by using Of
storing these dangerous fluids il
any store or dwelling house, mo-
only are large quantities Of "Dan
forths," /" Eureka" Safety" "Crys
tai, "Carbon" and Sunlight" oils
sold; but Kerosene is largely adul
terated with the lighter oils, and te
cap the climax, gasoline is sold as
a safe burning fluid. A man nigh
more safely store 4 keg Of gunpow
der or a can Of nitro ycerine un
der is bed. than to use the above
mentioned fluids for lighting pur