Improvements in and relating to Illuminating and Lubricating Oils.
Year: 1888

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION. :
Improvements in and relating to Illuminating and Lubricating Oils.
I, CHARLES HENRY CURRIE, of 5 Thomas Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Plumber, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
The main object of my invention is to provide an oil which shall possess a high
illuminative power, but whose flashing point shall be at a considerably higher
temperature than that of ordinary mineral oils at present commonly used in wick
lamps. A further object of my invention is to render the oil useful also as a lubricant
for machinery and other purposes.
According to my invention, I take a heavy mineral oil having a high flashing point,
and incapable of being, or not readily burned in ordinary wick lamps nevertheless
possessing properties which are capable of giving a high illuminative power when it
is ignited and properly burned to this oil I add another oil, or other oils, (such as
those hereinafter specified) of a lighter nature which is or are capable of rendering the
heavy oil being easily burned in an oil wick lamp: for instance, I take a mineral oil
having a flashing point of about 300° Fahrenheit, and mix with it another mineral oil
having a flashing point of about 60° to 80° Fahrenheit: to these I add a fine vegetable
oil such as that extracted from Palm Nut kernels, Cocoa Nut shells and Yucauba nuts,
known in Liverpool as "cocoine." The effect of this latter kind of oil is that the
mixture of the first two oils is given properties which render it capable of giving a
whiter light and one of a considerably higher illuminative power than it would possess
without it, and it also raises its flashing point considerably, as will be hereinafter
set forth.
I will now specify certain oils possessing the above described properties, and
proportions of ingredients forming the oil according to my invention; which, so far as
I have found, give the best results, that is, a high illuminative power and economy of
cost of production or manufacture. I will also set forth one mode, and the one I prefer,
by which I manufacture the oil; and certain matters I use in the said manufacture for
purposes hereinafter explained; and also the particular kinds of the above oils I prefer
to use.

page_text: 6
For the heavy mineral oil I use that one of the petroleum class known at present as
"Marine "
or Sperm Mineral" oil-this oil has a flashing point of about 300°
Fahrenheit for the lighter mineral oil I use paraffin oil having a flashing point of
about 60° Fahrenheit, or refined petroleum having a flashing point of about 80° 5
Fahrenheit; and for the fine vegetable oil I use, as above stated, that extracted from
Palm nut kernels, Cocoine kernels, or Cocoanut shells.
The proportions in which these substances may be used, are :-
to this total of 100 is added about 5%, by weight, of the Cocoine, Palm kernel oil, or
Cocoa nut oil. These oils, when boiled or agitated, do not readily mix and, as it is
necessary that they should mix, I add caustic soda or its equivalent to the extent of
about 1% by wheight, (in solution), and mix it well and boil the whole in a suitable
receptacle for say about twenty minutes. The effect of this treatment is, that not only
does the whole become homogeneous and blended, but the well known smell of
petroleum or paraffin is in a great measure dispelled and the oil consequently greatly
deodourized. After this the mass is allowed to cool, whereupon a sediment is deposited
and water sinks to the bottom; which are drawn off by a pipe in any suitable way,
and the oil becomes clear.
To further clarify and purify the oil, I treat it now with clean cold water and fine
salt (about 2%) which I mix with it. This treatment causes a further slight sediment
to be deposited, which together with the salt and water is also drawn off. The oil is
now ready for use and it possesses a high flashing point, and a high illuminative
power.
With reference to the vegetable oil used in the manufacture of oil according to my
invention, I would state that the effect produced by the particular oils as above
specified, may also be produced, but not to the same degree, by Colza oil, Castor oil,
Olive oil and the like, but as Colza and Castor oil would give off offensive smells when
burning and as Olive oil is very costly, I do not recommend the use of these or any
other vegetable oils accompanied by like drawbacks or objections.
The flashing points herein specified are those known as the Abel test.
In forming the ingredients into a lubricating oil I use
The mixture is treated with caustic soda solution, boiled, and with water and salt as
above set forth with reference to the illuminating oil.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature object and purposes of
my invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would state in conclusion 4
that have described what I consider the best combination and particular kinds of
oils of the kinds herein specified forming illuminating oil, involving my invention,
and the best treatment or mode of manufacture thereof, and those I prefer to employ ;

page_text: I would have it understood however that I do not intend to limit my Patent to the
precise proportions, combinations of oils specified, or the said mode of manufacture,
since various mere modifications of these may be made and equivalents used without
departing from the spirit or scope of my invention: and what I claim in respect of
the herein described invention is :-
First. An improved illuminating oil comprising in its composition two mineral oils,
one having a high flashing point and the other a comparatively low flashing point, and
a vegetable oil; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second. In the production or manufacture of illuminating oil, the use in combination
with a light mineral oil, or a combination of light and heavy mineral oils of the kind
herein described, of cocoanut cocoine, or palm kernel oil, or other equivalent vegetable
oil, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Third. In the manufacture of an oil for illuminating, comprising one or more kinds
of mineral oils, and a vegetable oil of the type herein specified, the treatment herein
described for rendering it homogeneous and clear.
"
Fourth. The improved lubricating oil, comprising a heavy mineral oil known as
Sperm Mineral," and a vegetable oil of the kind specified, as set forth.
CHARLES HENRY CURRIE.
By Cheesbrough & Royston,
15, Water Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents.
Dated this 9th day of August 1888.
CHARLES HENRY CURRIE.
By Cheesbrough & Royston,
15, Water Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents.