IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT AND UTILIZATION OF CERTAIN REFUSE PRODUCTS RESULTING FROM THE MANUFACTURE OF OILS AND TARS, AND EMPLOYING THE SAME IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WAX AND OIL, OR GREASE, AND FOR LUBRICATING AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Aitken at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 10th June 1879.
HENRY AITKEN, of Falkirk, in the County of Stirling, North Britain, Coal
Master. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT AND UTILIZATION OF CERTAIN
REFUSE PRODUCTS RESULTING FROM THE MANUFACTURE OF OILS AND TARS, AND
EMPLOYING THE SAME IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WAX AND OIL, OR GREASE, AND
FOR LUBRICATING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention which relates to improvements in the treatment and utilization
of certain refuse products resulting from the manufacture of oils and tars, has for
its objects to utilize the said refuse products by employing them in the manufacture
of oil, grease, and wax, and for other useful purposes as hereinafter described.
In the manufacture of oils and tars as at present conducted, there comes off at
or near the end of the distillation, before the still comes to "dryness," a sub-
stance known as "tailings' or "greens." This substance is considered a refuse
product, being generally used as fuel for raising steam under boilers or in firing
stills. Now I have found that by treating it as hereinafter described I can make
therefrom a superior oil, grease, or wax.
"
In order to make the oil, I take the "tailings" and drive or filter the water out,
preferably by means of a steam coil or jacket. I then mix the "tailings" with
animal, vegetable, or mineral oils, heating the whole and mixing them well together.
Thereafter I pass this mixture through filters, and it is then ready for use. The
proportions and kinds of oils in the mixture are regulated so as to make the
required quality of oil. For example, if it is desired to make an oil of a quality
suitable for heavy bearings, I use lard oil (or rape oil) and "tailings" in about
equal proportions. For an oil for lighter bearings, I use about one fourth lard oil,
about one fourth lubricating paraffin oil, and about one half "tailings;" and for
still lighter bearings, a greater proportion of lubricating paraffin oil. Thus an oil
can be inade of whatever quality or nature is desired.
In manufacturing the grease, I have found that an excellent grease is made by
mixing "tailings" and tallow (or lard) together in about equal proportions and
filtering the same as before described. This mixture is well suited for lubricating
engine guides and wheels; but should it be desired to make a thicker lubricant, for
such purposes as lubricating wagon wheels, wire-ropes, and the like, the proportion
Pine 11

page_text: of "tailings" is increased, and rosin or any cheap oil-work refuse may be added
and treated with soda or lime.
These greases or oils may be rendered more suitable for the purposes for which
they are required by mixing a quantity of the following materials, the proportion
being regulated to suit the purpose for which the mixture is to be used, viz.,
graphite or black lead, sulphur or soapstone. The oils and greases manufactured
as aforesaid may be used for lubricating steam cylinders and the like.
In making wax I heat the "tailings" and drive out the water, and while still
hot I add shellac or resin and colouring matter, as desired, using the same in the
proportions necessary to make the wax of the consistency and colour required.
This wax may be dissolved in spirit, and be used as a varnish.
"
The tailings" may be used without admixture of other matters for lubricating
stean cylinders, and before being so used the water and other foreign matter may
be driven or filtered out therefrom, and black lead or soapstone may with
advantage be added to the "tailings" when used for this purpose. Of course in all
cases, it is desirable that the "tailings" be freed from sand or grit by filtration
through cloths or sieves.
By purifying the "tailings" in the same manner as crude paraffin scale is refined,
I produce a material suited to more delicate purposes than those above referred to.