Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-02-19
REFINING OF PETROLEUM.

stills made of heavy boiler iron. either in
or with oval top and corrugated bottom,
underneath which is the furnace fire.
Every refinery has a series of these stills,
each containing from 600 to 1900 barrels.
The former are twelve and a half feet in
diameter and thirty feet in length. The
heat of the furnace causes vapors to rise
from the most volatile portions of the oil
= within three hours after firing up. This
vapor enters coil. or worm. of iron pipe
submerged in cold water. The water
cOolS or condenses the vapOr into liquid
called ''distillate." This condensation
in some rctineries is effected by permit
ting the vapor to escape into confined
boxes of water. or cUndpnsers. In this
box or condenser the vapor is converted
into Il distilatc which passes through Il
''ppc to the recciving-room." and the
water sinks to the bottom of the condcn-
ser. and is withdrawn.
MI distillate is sent to the receiving
room. where a separation is made accord
ing to its density. All that is below 60 :
b. (Baume. standard of density). and
down to 40@ b., is turned into a tank for
kerosene distilates. The lighter por-
tons. or the earlier runs from the still.
go into naphtha. gasoline, or bcnzine
tanks, while the heavier oils, below IS
b.. 90 into the manufacture of paratline
and lubricating oil. The lightcst vapor is
called ''rhigolene." ranging from l15o
to 1867 b.. though it and the second run
are usually turned into the naphtha
tanks. When saved it is used as an anHs-
thetic. The next product is known as
"cymogene. ranging from 1867 to % :
b., and is sometimes used in icc-machincs.
Below this is gasolene. % to So B.,
used largely in country houses for manu-
featuring gas. The Park Avenue HOTEL
New York. the Grand Union. Saratoga
and the Hotel kaaterskil are lighted by
this kind of gas. Next comes naphtha
So to Go b.. Whichis extensively used
in South American towns for Strcct-lamp
lighting. and in conjunction with bcnzinc
Co. to Go b.. as a substitute for tul-
pcntinc in mixing varniShc> and paints
They are also used a. Il solvent to remove
stains and grease and for cleaning woods,
and for this purpose are of superior
value.
Finally we come to that portion of the
di>tillate intended for Kerosene. 1t j.
relatively free from the obnoNiou- and
intlammable elements that characterized
the earlier runs from the stills. but it is
necessary to subject it to further treat
mcnt. This di,tillate. therefore. is con-
vcycd into STILL where live steam is
injected into it. the gentle heat driving
of through pipe a large proportion of it,
remaining inflammable ingredients. The
method of one of the leading manufac-
toric, in producing their higll-tcst oil j.
to introduce the oil in the lower part of
IA tank of water heated to temperature
of 2OG@ F.. or Just below the boiling
point. The oil rises through the water.
and the vapor which is thus generated is
carried away: the remaining portion of
the improved di>tilatc is conveyed to Il
large tank called the "agiiator."
In this agitator the distilatc i treated
with one and a half to two per cent. of
>ulphuric acid. McamWhilca current of
air is forced down tube submerged in
the diStillate. The air escapes from the
pcrforatiOns as its lower extremity.
breaking up the acid ntominutc particles
or atoms. which insureS the closest COM
mingling and admiXture of the oil and
acid. The pitch which is held in SuSpen-
sion in the diStillate has greater affinity
for the Sulphuric acid. and consequently
flies its embrace. When the current of
air ceases. the acid in combination with
the pitch is preciptated to the bottom
and drawn of. The acid acts as scav-
cnger, "Sweetening" the oil. 1t goes into
the agitator as clear and white as water.
and comes out a thick. black. and tarry
substance. known as "Sludge" or spent
acid. This Sludge which has a very Of
fensve odor. is either dumped in deep
ocean or sent to Barren Island to be used
in the manufacture of artificial fcrtli-
gers.
The next process is to give the dstillate
a water bath. for which purpose large
quantity of water is pumped to the top of
the agitator, and falling to the bottom.
cleanSes it, contents. removing the light
films of acid that may attach to the oil
globules. \ solution of caustc soda is
next applied in like manner to ncutralize
any remaining traces of acid, and to com
plcte the deterioration of the oil. This
distillate has now become rcdned oil. but
to Tighten and brighten its color it is
Withdrawn into settling pans. where ii is
blcached from twelve to forty-cight hours.
1t is then barrelled or packed in wood-in-
cased tin cans, and made ready for ship
ment TO consumers at home or abroad.
The people of South Egremont.