The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-10-13
Notes From u. S.
Bureau of Mines

g. Z. Bowie petroleum engluetl OF the
bureau OF mines, assisted by j. ). Des.
mond, chemical laboratorian, is contin-
ung at the San Francisco office of the
bureau, the developing Of the Bowie
Gavin cracking process for the refin-
ing Of heavy lTudes, tarIy substances,
and residuals that are difficult TO treat
by other methods. Experiments are be
ing performed so study the possibility
OF converting the residual carbon into
producer gas. which, together with the
fixed gases from the STILL may be used
as fuel for operating the plant Mr..
Bowie is preparing a bulletin on the
cracking process, which will contain
drawings Of the apparatus and will de-
scribe the experimental work in detail
Separation OF Wax From Distillates
l.. ID. Wyant, chemical engineer Of
the bureau OF mines experiment station
at Bartlesyille, Okla, is continuing the
study OF methods OF separating wax
from mid-coutinent distillates. This is a
part of q broader Investigation 10 deter.
mine the most efficient methods of pre-
pairing lubrlcating oils from md-conu-
nent crudes. Data are heing collected
on the methods now in Sc for separat-
ing wax from distillates and q carefl
study viii be made 10 determine the
nature Of the wax that is not removed
by pressing. The experimental refinery
ot the Bartlesylle station has been en.
larged and viii be used for the prepara.
tlon Of wax distillates and lubricating
oils from different mld-coutlnent crudes
breaking Down Oil Fuel Emulsions
At the B&rtlesyille, Okla, experiment
station. d. b. Dow, chemical engineer,
OF the bureau VI mines. assisted by c.
l.. Reitsle junior chemist. Is conduct.
ing an Investigation TO determine sat
!sfactory methods Tor breaking down oil
field emulslCns. In several mid-contnent
fields, oil IS 10 comes from the wells
contains relatively high per ceutage OF
water emulsified with the oil (com.
monty known as h. 81 and In many
cases this emulsion is run into sumps
and burned In some fields large guam
titles OF 4. =. are stored ln tanks. be.
cause no economical method Tor treat
ING them have been developed. Ia this
investigation 1t Is planned tO study the
methods that are now ia use such a.
steamlng, chemical treatment. electrical
process, aud centrifugal separation. as
means ot determining the method
Jhat Is best suited Tor each particular
1ype VI emulsion A series OF laboratory
tests viii be made IN order ~ deter.
mine the effect Of such factors as the
Nisoos.ty ot the OIL the relative per
centages OF OIL .ut water The effect uf
clefent saIt- dissolved ia the water and
the presence o other emu'sltyluf agents
such a. finely divided s,It The effort
W.ll te made TO develop silt The effort
treating emulsion that Will b. elouom.
cal Tor use on properties that produce
only d ieN barrels % oA daily. where
the installation of expensive equipment
Wou.d not be- justified
survey Of Foreign Crude oils
a survey OF foreign crude oils W.u
D." made by the bureau OF mine. upon
the completion OF the survey OF crude
oils in the United States now In pro
Uress. In the survey ot crude potro
leums .u the United states. reports con
tanning data on the properties Of crude
oils from thu eastern fields the Rocky
Mountain fields. northern Louisiana.
northern Texas. and Arkansas. Kansas.
and oklahoma have bceu published.
Samples Of crude oils collected through
cut the Gulf Coast fields are now be.
iug examined
Sediment Ia Petroleum
a. N. Bauer. laborator, assistln, of
the bureau of mines at Pittsburgh. Pa
has made comparative studies OF the
laboratory methods OF determining the
amounts OF sediments in fuel oil In the
bureaus laboratories. Comparisons were
made between The methods developed
Ia the Washington aud Pittsburgh lab
otatur>es and these methods were also
compared With the ordinary centrifugal
method Mr.. Bauer is comparing several
types Of stills In order To make "A stni
that, on % larger scale. will duplicate
the work of the small analytical stills
in The bureau of mines laborainrsa