Improvements in and relating to the Solidification of Liquid Mineral Oils.
Year: 1899

page_text: Complete Specification Left, 31st Aug., 1900-Accepted, 1st Dec., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Solidification of Liquid Mineral
Oils.
We, HEINRICH BERNHARD HELBING and FRANCIS WILLIAM PASSMORE, both of
63, Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London, Consulting Chemists, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to improvements in the solidification of liquid
petroleum oils, paraffin and the like.
For many purposes the conversion of the liquid portion of petroleum oils into
a solid mass is a most desirable object, and has hitherto been effected by the
addition of absorbent materials like sawdust, or by the incorporation with the
oil of solid substances such as resin or soap, or by a combination of both
methods. In all these cases a relatively large quantity of material must be
added to produce the desired effect, and this renders the product useless or too
costly for many purposes to which a solidified petroleum could otherwise be put.
According to our invention we convert liquid petroleum into a solid mass by
mixing it with a concentrated aqueous solution of a salt of casein, preferably the
sodium salt. The amount of casein salt necessary to bring about this trans-
formation is relatively very small, and consequently the resulting product can be
put to uses to which so-called solidified" petroleums as hitherto made, could
not be applied.
"
Dated this 1st day of December 1899
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Chartered Patent Agents.
Improvements in and relating to the Solidification of Liquid Mineral
Oils.
We, HEINRICH BERNHARD HELBING and FRANCIS WILLIAM PASSMORE, both of
63, Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London, Consulting Chemists, 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 follow-
ing statement:
-
The present invention relates to improvements in the solidification of liquid
petroleum oils, paraffin and the like.
For many purposes the conversion of the liquid portion of petroleum oils into

page_text: a solid mass is a most desirable object and has hitherto been effected by the
addition of absorbent materials like sawdust, or by the incorporation with the
oil of solid substances such as resin or soap, or by a combination of both
methods. In all these cases a relatively large quantity of material must be
added to produce the desired effect, and. this renders the product useless or too
costly for many purposes to which a solidified petroleum could otherwise be put.
According to our invention we convert liquid petroleum into a solid mass by
mixing it with a concentrated aqueous solution of a salt of casein, preferably the
sodium salt. The amount. of casein salt necessary to bring about this trans-
formation is relatively very small, and consequently the resulting product can be
put to uses to which so-called "solidified" petroleum as hitherto made, could
not be applied.
It will be understood that we do not limit ourselves to any particular pro-
portion of ingredients, nor to any particular degree of thickness or solidity of
the product, but by way of example we may add to 20 parts of casein 100 parts
of decinormal caustic soda solution or a sufficiency to obtain a substantially
neutral solution thereof, applying heat cautiously for dissolving.
To the stiff gelatinous solution is added at first drop by drop and subsequently
more rapidly with constant stirring in an emulsion mortar or by suitable mech-
anical means 1000 parts of petroleum.
It will be found necessary to add during the incorporation of the petroleum,
according to the character of the petroleum oil used, from time to time a small
quantity of water to obtain complete emulsification; generally the addition
of about 5 parts of water to 100 parts of petroleum is required. The emulsion
is then poured into suitable moulds and allowed to stand when it gradually
thickens.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
-
1. The process for thickening or solidifying liquid petroleum or mineral oils
by treatment with a soluble salt of casein, preferably the sodium salt, in presence
of water, substantially as described.
2. As a new product, liquid petroleum or mineral oil thickened or solidified
by means of casein.
.
0.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Chartered Patent Agents.