IMPROVED COMPOUNDS OR MIXTURES TO BE USED FOR LUBRICATING MACHINERY
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MICHAEL
JOSEPH JOHN DONLAN, of Abbots Bromley House, Staffordshire, Esquire, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Fourth day of April,
One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, in the eleventh year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Michael Joseph John Donlan, my exors, adiiors, and assigns, Her ospecial
license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Michael
Joseph John Donlan, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Michael Joseph John Donlan, my exors, adññiors, or assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others; from time to time and at all times during
the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and
Man, and in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my
Invention of "IMPROVED COMPOUNDS OR MIXTURES TO BE USED FOR LUBRICATING
MACHINERY;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said
Michael Joseph John Donlan, shall cause a particular description of the nature
of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said

page_text: Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Michael Joseph John Donlan, do, hereby declare that the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, are fully
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, that is
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Michael Joseph John Donlan, do, hereby declare that the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, are fully
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, that is
THE ATTRITION PREVENTIVE COMPOUNDS.
"
There are three descriptions of these compounds designated, namely,
Nos. 1, 2, and 3.
These compounds are designed (exclusively) for the lubrifaction of the
axle boxes of locomotive engines, tenders, and other heavy bearings, and also
for all the machinery employed for locomotive and marine purposes, as well as
the machinery which composes stationary engines. The oils employed in
mannfacturing these compounds are in their raw and impure state found by
repeated distillation to contain air, acid, earth, and water, and are therefore
injurious in their application to metallic substances revolving in transit, and
generate friction, heat, and vibration; but the employment of the following
ingredients, as herein described, will prove competent to diminish these
imperfections to an extent never hitherto accomplished. The most appropriate
oils for these purposes are those called the southern or Greenland whale oil,
Gallipole oil, sperm oil, and palm oil. The above substances are disengaged
and unfolded by the application of the ingredients herein described when the
pure oils and such ingredients become subservient for application to railway and
steam-ship. machinery, as well as for application to the machinery which
composes stationary engines. The means I employ for the amalgamation
of these, ingredients, the proper proportions, with the necessary degrees of heat,
are herein described. I do not claim the exclusive use of these ingredients,
but I do claim their union in the combination which I produce from them
as being entirely new, which union is applicable for the lubrifaction of loco
motive marine, and stationary engines, as well as all machinery thereunto
belonging. I do respectfully, represent that to my knowledge and belief this
combination or compounds have never before been invented or used by any
individual other than myself; nor do I believe any ordinary chymist, unless
instructed so, to do, could command sufficient knowledge to convert these three
chemical kingdoms, namely, animal, vegetable, and mineral, into one pure
and liquid amalgamation.. And I do, solemnly, believe that this union of bodies

page_text: is the first and only combination ever jet produced, competent or capable of
preventing friction, heat, and vibration in locomotive machinery. This chemi--
cal composition is the union and combination of several substances of different
natures, from which a compound body results. From this union of bodies of
different natures a body is formed of a mixed nature, in which a mutual
adhesion takes place between the combined substances; all these ingredients
act upon
each other in complicated affinity; and the nature and quality of the
metals, which they are designed to lubricate are carefully consulted, so much
so that when an axle box has been found in a red heat by friction, the
application of the No. 1 of these compounds had the effect of rendering such
axle quite cool in transit. These compounds are the result of expensive
research and experiment; and as chemistry is a science solely founded on
experience I humbly submit that I had to surmount many obstacles before I
could provide compounds to produce proper effects upon the machinery which.
compose locomotive marine and stationary engines. I take the following
ingredients in the proportions herein described, namely:-First, I take the
green leaves of the vegetable substance called laurel; second, I take the green
leaves of the vegetable substance called ivy; third; I take the oxymuriate of
mercury; fourth, I take subnitrate (or trisnét) of bismuth; fifth, I take
sulphate of copper; sixth, I take sulphate of zinc; seventh, I take tartarized
antimony; eighth, I take pulverized Roman alum;' ninth, I take Greenland-
or southern whale oil; tenth, I take Gallipole or olive oil; eleventh, I take
sperm oil; twelfth; I take palm oil; thirteenth, I take the vegetable substance,
called caoutchouc; fourteenth, I take brown soap common; fifteenth, I take
minium; sixteenth, I take white pepper; seventeenth, I take cerúss";
eighteenth, I take common salt; nineteenth, I také powdered alum.'
N.B. Black lead and celestial blue, in powder, are used to colour No. 3

page_text: whole (with a brush having a handle about twelve inches in length) for the
period of three minutes. I then allow the liquid to remain in a quiescent
state for the space of one hour, at the end of which time I add, fourthly, of
an oz. of sulphate of copper; fifthly, of an oz. of sulphate of zinc; sixthly,
of an oz. of ceruss. I then agitate the whole for five minutes, and permit
the liquid to remain in a quiet state for one hour. I then strain this liquid
through a linen cloth into another Papin's digester (same size), leaving the
residuum in the first vessel. Seventhly, I then take 8 oz. of the green leaves
of laurel. Eighthly, I then take 8 oz. of the green leaves of ivy. I then cut
these two vegetable substances into small pieces (not very small); they are
then placed in the mortar and pounded, to which I add ½ oz. of pulverized
Roman alum. I then take a strong finely-perforated copper vessel 4 inches
in diameter and 10 inches in length, in which is fixed a small door firmly
secured, and to which is added a lock and key. At the top of this vessel I
fix an iron ring, to which is looped a small copper or other chain about of
an inch in diameter and six feet in length, with a weight of about 3 lbs. at the
other end of the chain. I then place in this vessel the above two portions,
8 oz. each, of these vegetable substances and powdered Roman alum. I then
lock the door of this vessel, and submerse it with its contents in the liquid in
the Papin's digester. I then add a heat to the Papin's digester of not more
than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which heat I continue for the space of one
hour. I then take first 120 gallons, or as near as may be, of southern or.
Greenland whale oil; in which, when put into the copper vessel, I place the
small perforated vessel to the extent of three inches below the surface of the
oil, having the weight attached to the other end of the chain to prevent the
perforated vessel sinking in the oil below the above depth. I then increase
the heat up to 150 degrees of Fahrenheit, which I continue for one hour, at
the end of which time I take out the perforated vessel and return it into
store. I next and then immediately add ingredient A, namely 48 lbs. of the
vegetable substance called caoutchouc (best kind), being previously cut into
very small pieces. I then increase the heat up to not less than 230 degrees
Fahrenheit, nor more than 250 as the maximum, which heat I continue for
the period of. twelve hours, occasionally stirring the liquid with an iron rod
having a small bowl at the end, but the heat may be taken off at any time
after the duration of seven hours to suit the convenience of the superin- s
tendent (if at night), and resumed in the morning to complete the duration of
the twelve hours above mentioned. When the caoutchouc shall have been.
dissolved, or very nearly so, the liquid original oil will then become disengaged
and unfolded from all its impurities (throw down a concrete precipitate with

page_text: an earthy basis) and combine with the caoutchouc liquid, leaving in union one
pure and perfect solution. This liquid must then be allowed to cool, and let
pass off through the brass tap at the bottom of the boiler into the coolers
ready for its reception. The residuum left at the bottom of the copper should
be taken out and destroyed. I then pass the liquid through a strainer made
of tin (not finely perforated) and return it to the copper boiler, to which I add
B, 12 lbs. of palm oil; C, 25 lbs. of minium; D, 12½ lbs. of ceruss; E,
3 lbs. of powdered alum. But care must be taken in paying attention to
these instructions for manufacturing this componnd, else it will kill the
superintendent. Note.-As portions of marine acid and mineral alkali are
continually dissolved in sea water, I add to these ingredients, when this
compound is designed for marine engines, 2 lbs. of black pepper (finely pul-
verized), but the compound without this last ingredient will answer for all
inland purposes. To all these ingredients I then apply a slow or gradual heat
until it arrives at 230 degrees Fahrenheit, which I continue for the space of
six hours, at the end of which time this compound will have arrived at the
perfect state of amalgamation. It is then allowed to cool to 150 degrees
Fahrenheit, and pass off at the brass tap at the bottom of the boiler into the
coolers, from which it may then be placed in the vessels designed for its
delivery for use. This process completes the No. 1 compound.
The axle boxes of engines and tenders as at present constructed require
some small alteration with reference to the application of this compound; I beg
to mention the improvement introduced by J. B. Gooch, Esquire, into the
axle boxes of engines and tenders employed on the London and South Western

page_text: I then
I then
alum. Sixth, 12 lbs. of ceruss. Seventh, 2 lbs. of white pepper. I then
increase the heat to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, which .heat I continue for the
period of six hours, at which time the amalgamation is complete.
permit this compound to cool, and to remain quiet for twelve hours.
let it pass off through the brass tap at the bottom of the boiler into a 5
bag made for this purpose, which bag is composed of cloth and horsehair,
and through which the liquid is to pass into the cooler ready for its reception,
This compound is then ready for delivery.
I then
I then
alum. Sixth, 12 lbs. of ceruss. Seventh, 2 lbs. of white pepper. I then
increase the heat to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, which .heat I continue for the
period of six hours, at which time the amalgamation is complete.
permit this compound to cool, and to remain quiet for twelve hours.
let it pass off through the brass tap at the bottom of the boiler into a
bag made for this purpose, which bag is composed of cloth and horsehair,
and through which the liquid is to pass into the cooler ready for its reception,
This compound is then ready for delivery.
ATTRITION PREVENTIVE COMPOUND, No. 3.
Designed for the lubrifaction of the wheels of railway carriages and luggage
trains.
First, I take 120 gallons of southern or Greenland whale oil; second, 3
lbs. common salt; third, 3 lbs. common brown soap cut into small pieces. I
then introduce the small perforated vessel (see No. 1), but adding to its
contents oz. of finely pulverized Roman alum, and communicate the heat
of 150 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour. I then withdraw the perforated vessel;
fourth, I then add 50 lbs. of the vegetable substance called caoutchouc (common
kind), being previously cut into small pieces; I then increase the heat to 250
degrees Fahrenheit, which I continue for the space of twelve hours, occa-
sionally stirring the liquid as mentioned in the No. 1 amalgamation, but the
heat may be taken off as therein described. I then permit the liquid to cool
to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, and strain it through a tin strainer, not finely per-
forated, on its way into the cooler ready for its reception, and return it into
the copper boiler; fifth, I then add 2 lbs. of minium to every three gallons of
oil; sixth, I then add 12 lbs. of ceruss to such three gallons of oil; seventh, I
add 5 lbs. of palm oil to such three gallons of oil; eighth, I add 1 lb. of
black lead to every three gallons of oil; ninth, I add lb. of celestial blue to
every three gallons of oil. Then I commnicate the heat of 250 degrees Fahren-
heit to all these ingredients, which heat I continue for seven hours. I then per-
mit this compound to cool to the heat to 150 degrees Fahrenheit; I then suffer
it to escape into the coolers ready for its reception, at which time it will have
arrived at a fit state for use. N.B. By the submersion of the small perforated
vessel in the poisonous liquid which has been received into the second Papine's
digester, as above described in the process for manufacturing No. 1 compound,
with the addition of an ounce of Roman alum finely pulverized at each sub-
mersion, the same laurel and ivy leaves will accelerate the manufacture of eight
hundred gallons, and the poisonous liquid will admit of seven of these sub-
mersions.

page_text: .
THE DESCRIPTION AND LIST OF THE APPARATUS AND VESSELS REQUIRED FOR
THE PURPOSES OF MANUFACTURING THESE COMPOUNDS.
The copper boilers should be made in sets of three each, and augmented in
conformity with the quantities of compounds required for consumption.
The laboratory in which these compounds should be made should be erected
with bricks, the walls should be two feet thick, with the roof arched of the
same material. This laboratory should be twenty feet in height and twenty
feet in breadth, with windows three feet by three feet in both sides, within
twelve inches of the roof, and at one end of the building. The frames of these
windows should be composed of cast iron, and made so as to open at top and
bottom. At the top of this roof should be placed an iron tank competent to
hold from eighty to one hundred gallons of water.
The boilers should be composed of copper, and made with treble bottoms,
with a brass tap fixed within three inches of the bottom of each. These
coppers should be set in fire bricks against the side wall. Under each copper,
and next to the firc, should be placed a sheet of iron one inch thick, over
which should be placed a bed of finely pulverized sand upon which to rest the
bottom of the copper. The fireplaces should be constructed outside the wall,
and have an iron door of twelve inches square, with a ring in the middle of
such door, and the ash-hole should be eighteen inches deep. I advise that a
main water pipe two inches in diameter should extend from the tank over the
coppers; that water pipes of one and a quarter inch diameter and six feet
in length should extend from the main pipe over each copper; that at the end
of each of these water pipes a perforated rose shall be fixed with a valve at
the top of each rose, and that an iron chain shall be attached to each valve,
and hanging close to the outside of the third copper; that these chains shall
be of different lengths, and designate the copper to which they belong, so that
in case of the compounds taking fire the chain of the copper so affected may
be pulled so as to raise the valves and inundate it with water from the tank ;
that the coppers shall be placed two feet apart, and that the second copper
should be placed twelve inches above the first, and the third copper placed
twelve inches above the second, that the flues of the chimney shall pass
through the wall in which the coppers are set, leaving a distance of twelve
inches of brick between the coppers and the flues, and that the chimney shall
be raised ten, twelve feet above the roof of the building; that the other
vessels and apparatus shall compose the following articles, namely:-
No. 1. Three coolers lined with lead, competent to hold 70 gallons cach.
2. One do. lined with lead, competent to hold 25 gallons.

page_text: 3. Two Papin's digesters, competent to hold 2 gallons each.
4. Four tin pans made square with handles on either side, competent
to hold 4 gallons each.
5. Four leaden bowls, competent to hold 2 quarts each.
6. One mortar and pestle, the mortar to be nine inches in diameter.
7. Two tin strainers nine inches in diameter, perforated.
8. One set of scales and weights.
9. One weighing machine.
10. Two cloth and hair bags, 24 inches square by 24, and one yard of
fine linen.
11. One Papin's digester, competent to hold eight gallons.
12. One small copper vessel finely perforated, 4 inches in diameter, 10
inches long, in the side of which is fixed a small door with lock
and key. At the top is fixed an iron ring, to which is fastened a
small copper chain a quarter of an inch in diameter and six feet
in length, with a weight not exceeding three lbs. at the end of
such chain.
he thermometer to measure heat from 100 up to the point of 600
ees.
In witness whereof, I, the said Michael Joseph John Donlan, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Third day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight