The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-17
PETROLEUM is F.RsPRooF.
New Process for Making Crude OIL Nom
sxnosive.
Erom the Olaan Herald

4
sxpIosive.
From the Olean Herald.
Joseph Bahney of this place has dis
covered a chemical process for treating
crude petroleum which neutralizes the
gases and renders IL absolutely fire.
proof up to a temperature of at least
$50 degrees. A reporter who called up
on Mr.. Bahney was ushered into that
gentleman's parlor and was surprised
to sc him clear off the center table, as
though the experiments were to be con-
Quoted there. Mr.. Bahney laughed good
naturally at the reporters remon-
STRANGE against such an obviously dam
gerous proceeding.
After he had cleared the table Mr.
Bahney placed upon IL a small tin pam
Then he brought from another room a
large bottle filled with a dark liquid
and handed II to the reporter TO smell.
1t was undoubtedly crude petroleum.
Mr.. Bahney said he got IL from one
OF the Four Mile wells in the Ale
ghany field. No odor but that of crude
oil could be detected by the sense of
smell.
Mr.. Bahney poured about half the oil
into the pan. Then he took an ordi-
nary lamp wick, and after thoroughly
saturating IL with the oil, lit one end.
leaving the other end In the pan of oil.
1t burned about as a kerosene lamp
does with the chimney removed. He
slowly lowered the wick into the oil
until one corner of the lighted top re-
manned unsubmerged. Strange to say,
the oil in the pan did not catch fire.
AS long as a portion of the wick re-
manned above the oil IL burned steadily
and brightly, the size of the flame cor
responding to the amount of wick left
uncovered. When the wick was en-
tirely submerged in the oil the flame
was extinguished.
Then Mr.. Bahney lifted the wick out
again and lit II. This time instead of
submerging 1t he extinguished the blaze
by slowly pouring oil upon II from the
bottle. This was to show that ma gas
had generated from the oil left in the
bottle. 1t was a strange thing to see
a fire extinguished by pouring oil up
on IL.
The oil had been treated by chemi-
cal process which is a secret with Mr..
Bahney. Its discovery by him is not
an accident. but is the result of many
years of study and experimenting.
Though he has never been engaged in
the production or refining of petroleum.
he has lived in the oil country the
greater part of his life. and. like nearly
everyone else here, is familiar with the
nature of the oleaginous fluid. He was
quite a student of chemistry in his
younger days, and the idea early sug-
gested itself to him that there might
be discovered a process of treating the
natural oil chemically in such way
as to cheaper the manufacture and inn
prove the quality of Illuminating oils.
He has since been working upon the
idea and thinks he has solved the
problem.
The importance Of the discovery is at
once apparent. Mr.. Bahney claims that
his process Is practically inexpensive,
and very simple. II can be applied to
the treatment of crude petroleum to
any extent desired. 1t will eliminate
the natural oil. rendering ii safe from
explosion or fire, either while in the
process of refining or while in storage.
More than this. IL obviates the neces-
sity of removing the benzine and other
volatile components of the refined oil
before IL can be used for Illuminating
purposes, while at the same time IL
does not destroy its usefulness as an
illuminant. OF course. the crude oil is
too heavy to be burned satisfactorily
as an Illuminating oil, but Mr.. Bahney
claims that he can run il through a
still by his process and procure a light
oil. which. without the removal of the
benzine and naphtha. is a safer and
better illuminant than the kerosene
now I'm use. 1t will stand a fire test
up to from 140 to $50 degrees. and will
produce a bright. steady flame with no
smoke or gas. Moreover. the residue
of the crude is a better lubricating oil
than is produced by the refining pro-
cess now in use. 1t is apparent at
once that this will greatly simplify
and cheaper the refining of petro-
leum.
Mr. Bahney has already applied for
patent on his process.