New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-22
The AdulferntiOn Of Petroleum.


The systematic adulteration of petroleum
is constantly increasing evil. and one that
demands immediate reform. 1t is Ugh time
that the attention of the police, of the fire
department and Of the press, was concen
trated upon the discovery of a full and
speedy remedy. The enormous manufac-
ture Of naphtha as an incidental product.
for which there is little demand, offers
great temptation to dealers in petroleum to
increase their profits by the admixture of
the dangerous ether; and the lax state of
our laws, and the carelesSncss of the insur
ance patrol, tend to perpetuate an evil that
ought not to he tolerated for a moment in
any well regulated and civilized commit
nifty.
What can be done to prevent the danger
Gus adultcration of refined petroleum. is Il
question of the utmost Importance to all
who burn it as an illuminating material.
Unfortunately, most of the regulations
adopted by the police or by the Legislature
have thrown impedments in the way of
trade, without producing any good results.
The authorities are in the ha bit of represent
ing petroleum as highly infammable and
dangerous substance, when. in fact, the
refined article. free from naphtha is
scarcely more dangerous than sperm oil.
The storage of large quantities OF petroleum
in the business portions OF cities has been
prohibited under severe penalties. and
these regulations have been prepared as if
petroleum were gunpOwder. The idea seems
to prevail that the refined article is Just as
explosive as the crude. while it is really less
infammable than alcohol. about the storage
of which 10 such stringent rules are laid
Alcohol takes fire the moment burning
match is applied to it; properly refined Pc
troleum does not ignite. docs not FASH as it
ia called, until it is heated up to 1902 or no.
Fahrenheit. Alcohol more readily evolves
combustiblc vapOrs: well refined petroleum
forms neither gases nor vapOrs, Snd evapO-
rates. even when exposed i'll shallow vessels.
very slowly, and in the summer does not
occasion the formation of explosive gas
mixtures: in fact, it is not nearly so danger
Gus IA we are i'll the habit OF suSpcCtlng.
Throwing obstacles n the way of its sale
does not appear to be the best measure to
prevent accidents. If the authorities. i'll
the interest of the public, are willing to
take the matter in hand, it will not be
difficult to suggest remedy 1t Will only
be necessary to make distinction between
safe and dangerous petroleum, and to
publish a single test, by the use of which
this point can be easily settled.
The taking of the specific gravity is
worthless, beca,,se the ad,Iteratiou by the
lighter naplltha can he disguised by the ad-
dition Of heavy oil. The color and odor
are also not to be relied upon. The only re-
liable test is the temperature OF the flashing
point; that IL. the temperature at which the
petroleum tslies fire when burning match
is applied to It's surface. The test can he
easily applied. Into fat dish or saucer.
pour the oil to be tried until il is at least
half an inch deep: then hold burning
match or taper near the surface. At the
point of contact the combustion is often
very lively, "a the taper draws up some OF
the liquid. but if tho petroleum be
safe and free from Eaphtha. the Iiame
does not spread over the surface
If the petroleum has been adu!terated. as
soon as the match touches the surface blue
lambert flame flashes across it, and in a few
moments the boy of the oil will be on fire.
IL lamps, and liable to give Oft inhammable
vapcrs at all times. Any oil which takes
fire when match is held near its surface.
and continues to burn, ought to be con-
dcmned at once and thrown into the streets.
We lay some stress upon this experiment.
because we have actually seen country
merchant pour petroleum into saucer and
ignite it in this way as proof that it was
not dangerous.
There is no doubt whatsoever, that all
of the accidents can be traced to adultcra-
ted and worthless petroleum. The pure ar
ticle never explodes in lamps. even when
they are filled at night, with a candle by
their side; but it is never safe to try this
experiment. as we cannot rely upon the
quality of the oil VIC buy. The sale Of pctrO-
lcum containing naphtha ought to he stopped
at all hazard, and if police officer were
| detailed to walk UP and down before the
store to warn all Customers of danger. and
the names of the Ubiquitous tradesmcn were
| to be publicly posted. and heavy fines were
to be imposed, the great loss of life and pro-
| pcrty that has been occasioned by this nefa
rious business would justify the severity Of
We need some stringent laws on the sub
.ject. and after they are passed, let them be
enforced without fear or favor
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