The of a Certain Composition to the Lining, Painting, or Coating of Tanks or Vessels Used for the Transport or Storage of Petroleum, Turpentine, and the like.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1887
Complete Left, 3rd Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 3rd Feb:, 1888
The Application of a Certain Composition to the Lining, Painting,
or Coating of Tanks or Vessels Used for the Transport or
Storage of Petroleum, Turpentine, and the like.
I, PATRICK MOLYNEUX, of Atlantic Wharf, Bow Common, London, E., Wharf
Superintendent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object the application of a composition, for which I have
already made application for Letters Patent, such application bearing date the 4th day
of May 1887 and being numbered 6582, to the lining, painting or coating of tanks
or vessels used for the transport and storage of petroleum, turpentine and the like.
Hitherto the transport as well as the storage of petroleum turpentine and the like
have been attended by certain difficulties of a serious nature. It has been found
practically impossible to prevent the turpentine and the lighter and more volatile of
the constituents of the petroleum from oozing or leaking through the pores in the
walls of the said tanks or vessels, whether such be constructed of iron, wood, concrete
or the like. This oozing or leaking has given rise to several serious drawbacks.
There is a considerable loss of the material through such oozing and leakage. In the
case of petroleum storage tanks, the more volatile constituents pass through their
walls and surround them with an atmosphere highly charged with hydrocarbons-an
atmosphere which is not only disagreeable but highly dangerous and it is the existence
of this atmosphere which has rendered the protection of such storage tanks from fire
and from the effects of lightning so difficult. The enormous losses which have been
sustained through the setting on fire of such tanks, by the ignition of the hydrocarbon
atmosphere surrounding them, by lightning or sparks or such like, are well known:
and when one tank has become ignited any others in the neighbourhood are very
liable to be ignited also, as the heat of the burning tank is radiated to those in the
vicinity, producing a rise of temperature in the tanks which increases the pressure,
and consequently the rapidity with which the atmosphere surrounding them becomes
charged with readily inflammable hydrocarbon vapours. This continued oozing out of
the lighter and more volatile of the constituents of the petroleum causes the composition
of what remains to be considerably altered, and in many cases reduced in value. In
the case of transport tanks or vessels great inconvenience has arisen through the
D
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page_text: penetration of the turpentine and the lighter constituents of the petroleum into
the pores and interstices of the walls of the tanks, where they remain for an indefinite
period. This prevents such tanks or vessels, after they have served to transport the
said turpentine petroleum or the like. from being used for the transport of other
substances likely to be deleteriously affected by contact with them, inasmuch as in
spite of the most thorough washing and scraping they or their va
vapours continue to
ooze out of the walls for an indefinite period, so causing damage to the said substances
and consequent pecuniary loss. The above drawbacks refer to the passage of the
liquids into and through the substance of the walls of the tanks and vessels, but
similar drawbacks arise through the leakage through the joints or unions of the tanks
or vessels when such exist.
Many attempts have been made to overcome these drawbacks; and a large number
of compositions have been tried, but hitherto it is believed without successful result,
as the turpentine petroleum and the like act upon these compositions and cause them
to disintegrate or to flake off or otherwise become detached from the walls of the
tanks or vessels which then cease to be protected and are exposed to the action of
the liquids, thereby bringing about all the drawbacks herein before mentioned. By
the application however of my composition to the tanks or vessels all difficulties are
overcome. The lining or coating does not sensibly alter or deteriorate, but remains
firmly adherent, whilst it is sufficiently pliable to withstand the alternate expansion
and contraction produced in the walls of the tanks or vessels by changes of temperature,
as well as the bending produced by pressure or concussion.
Dated this 0th day of 1007
J. G. LORRAIN, M. Inst. M.E., M.S.T.E., &c.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street,
London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: The Application of a Certain Composition to the Lining, Painting,
or Coating of Tanks or Vessels Used for the Transport or
Storage of Petroleum, Turpentine, and the like,
I, PATRICK MOLYNEUX, of Atlantic Wharf, Bow Common, London, E., Wharf
Superintendent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
My invention has for its object the application of a composition, for which I have
already made application for Letters Patent, such application bearing date the 4th
day of May 1887, and being numbered 6,582, to the lining painting or coating of
tanks or vessels used for the transport and storage of petroleum turpentine and the
like.
:
Hitherto the transport as well as the storage of petroleum turpentine and the like
has been attended by certain difficulties of a serious nature. It has been found
practically impossible to prevent the turpentine and the lighter and more volatile of
the constituents of the petroleum from oozing or leaking through the pores in the
walls of the said tanks or vessels, whether such be constructe.l of iron, wood concrete
or the like. This oozing or leaking has given rise to several serious drawbacks.
There is a considerable loss of the material through such oozing and leakage. In the
case of petroleum storage tanks the more volatile constituents pass through their walls,
and surround them with an atmosphere highly charged with hydro-carbons-an
atmosphere which is not only disagreeable but highly dangerous: and it is the
existence of this atmosphere which has rendered the protection of such storage tanks
from fire and from the effects of lightning so difficult. The enormous losses which
have been sustained through the setting on fire of such tanks by the ignition of the
hydro-carbon atmosphere surrounding them by lightning or sparks or such like are
well known and when one tank has become ignited any others in the neighbourhood
are very liable to be ignited also, as the heat of the burning tank is radiated to those
in the vicinity producing a rise of temperature in the tanks which increases the
pressure, and consequently the rapidity with which the atmosphere surrounding them
becomes charged with readily inflammable hydrocarbon vapours. This continued
oozing out of the lighter and more volatile of the constituents of the petroleum causes
the composition of what remains to be considerably altered, and in many cases reduced
in value. In the case of transport tanks or vessels great inconvenience has arisen
through the penetration of the turpentine, and the lighter constituents of the petroleum,
into the pores and interstices of the walls of the tanks, where they remain for an
indefinite period.
This prevents such tanks or vessels, after they have served to
transport the said turpentine petroleum or the like, from being used for the transport
of other substances likely to be deleteriously affected by contact with them, inasmuch
as in spite of the most thorough washing and scraping they or their vapours continue
to ooze out of the walls for an indefinite period, so causing damage to the said sub-
stances and consequent pecuniary loss. The above drawbacks refer to the passage of
the liquids into and through the substance of the walls of the tanks and vessels, but
similar drawbacks arise through the leakage through the joints or unions of the tanks
or vessels when such exist. Yet another drawback arises through discoloration when
say one of the higher qualities of refined petroleum is stored or transported in iron

page_text: tanks or vessels. Contact with the iron, which is always liable to oxidation, causes
the liquid to be discolored so that its quality is reduced, and its market value lessened.
Many attempts have been made to overcome these drawbacks, and a large number
of compositions have been tried, but hitherto it is believed without successful result,
as the turpentine, petroleum and the like act upon these compositions and cause them
to disintegrate or to flake off or otherwise become detached from the walls of the
tanks or vessels, which then cease to be protected, and are exposed to the action of
the liquids, thereby bringing about all the drawbacks herein before mentioned.
In carrying my invention into effect I make a composition in the following
manner :-
Black oxide of iron (black scale or hammer scale) is ground to fine powder, and
very fine powder of Portland cement is prepared by sifting. The two are then
thoroughly mixed in the proportion of one-third by weight of black scale to two-thirds
of Portland cement. To every three and one-fifth parts of the mixture one part of
litharge is added.
To one part of methylated spirits of wine, half a part by weight of shellac of the
very best quality is added and allowed to dissolve in the cold.
A quantity of glycerin of good quality (five per cent. of the volume of the above
solution), is taken; and to it is added one-twentieth of its weight of gum Arabic in
fine powder, and allowed to dissolve in the cold.
The glycerin solution of gum Arabic is now added to the solution of shellac, and
the two are shaken together."
Next to say three parts by weight of the dry powder, composed as above, sufficient
of the mixture of liquids just prepared is added to make it of the consistency of paint,
and the whole ground together in a paint mill until thoroughly mixed. The amount
of liquid required to be added will depend upon the dryness of the powder. This
constitutes the paint or coating which is now ready for use, and is applied to the
surface required to be coated exactly like ordinary paint.
If the paint or coating is not required to be pliable after application to any surface,
five per cent. of powdered glass is added to the above powder before mixing with the
liquid.
It will be readily understood that, without departing from my invention, known
equivalents may be substituted for some of the ingredients of my composition; and
also that the proportions named may be varied to a considerable extent.
By the application of my composition to the tanks or vessels all difficulties are
overcome. The lining or coating does not sensibly alter or deteriorate, but remains
firmly adherent, whilst as generally compounded it is sufficiently pliable to withstand
the alternate expansion and contraction produced in the walls of the tanks or vessels
by changes of temperature, as well as the bending produced by pressure or
concussion.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the saine is to be carried into effect I declare that
what I claim is :-
The application of the composition hereinbefore referred to to the lining or coating
of tanks or vessels used for the transport or storage of petroleum turpentine and
the like.
Dated this 1st day of October 1887.
J. G. LORRAIN, M.S.T.E., M. Inst. M.E.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street,
London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.