The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-01-07

sidered the present remedy and the
ultimate results from these conditions.
We must adopt the new processes
that will, get more gasoiene from the
petroleum.; must get 90 per cent gaso-
Iene instead OF 10 per cent. Yes. it can
be DONE"
Then came the explanation. in words
OF one syllable, OF the process of get
ting 80 per cent, instead of 10 per cent,
OF Rasolene from petroleum. The thing
has been explained plenty of times in
terms that a layman couldn't possibly
hore to understand. DR.. Rittman. in
Ventor OF the best of all the processes,
told il so simply that the philosophy of
1t could be understood in a moment.
Petroleum" he said. sis a combina-
ton of chemical elements; contains gas,
these elements are closely related to
each other; so closely. that the size OF
the molecule is all that determines
whether given part OF the product is
Kerosene or gasolene. The molecule in
Kerosene Is about twice as big as in
gasolene; they're made OF the same
material. but by reason of its smaller
molecules the Gasolene is more volatile.
knowing all this. the problem be-
comes one of breaking the kerosene
molecules in two, so that they will he rs
volatile as in Sasolene. That done, the
stan becomes gasolenc; IT'S all the DIFF
, ference There are different Cracking
or breaking processes. The Standard
I'll engineers nave developed one
which the petroleum Is treated under
high pressure and high temperature.
They treat IL In the liquid state, while
treat II In the vaporiZed state. making
different application of the heat.
Either, process greatly increases the
amount of Easolene extracted. We get
up to 90. and even 80, per cent gasolenc
by these processes"
The most wonderful thing about this
Rittman process Is that II will get gaso-
-. n 1T. 4 n
treatment, were not supposed to con-
taA gasolenc, In truth, they didn't
| contain II: they were heavy oils" COM
posed OF the bigger molecules, that don't
| compose gasolene. But these same
heavy oils, under the cracking processes,
turn out a good proportion Of gpsOlene.
! 1 said a moment ago. DIR. Rittman
J explained, that of the 1OO.C0O. 900 barrels
OF petroleum produced annually in Cali
| foTnia, one-half contained only per
cent and the other half no gasolene at
ell. Thus, for practical purposes, unless
| II be prOccssed, the California oil might
as well be discarded. But the cracking
process will get in excess Of 90 per cent
! sasolene from IL ALL
1 About the sumo is true of the pe-
troleCm from the Mexican field. There
| is an immense natural wealth in Pc
| trOleum in that country, though IL
| must be understood that there is no
other production in sight anywhere in
! the world, TO compare with that OF the
| United States. Mexico now produces
! about one-ihird as much oil as Cali
| fornia. 1t would increase this vastly
! il internal conditions would permit.
This also is a heavy oil like that OF
California, capable OF yielding 40 or
, 90 per cent of gasOlene when process
| ed, whereas the richest oils will give
| even as high as 90 per cent frasolene
under the cracking treatment"
| pr. Rittman doesn't see a bright
prospect for the gasolcne user. He
| firmly believes tn" worlds demand for
/ pasolene Is outstrippinF. all possibili-
i ties OF production, and that prices are
destined TO go on rising. Neither does
he believe anybody il robbing the
user; the conditions are what demand
and supply make them.