Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1889
Specification Accepted, 27th Apr., 1899
I THOMAS HENRY GRAY of 44 Meyrick Road, Clapham Junction in the County
of Surrey, Oil Refiner, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to treat the ordinary illuminating mineral oils of
commerce for the purpose of removing certain impurities which remain in the oil after
the ordinary refining by distillation.
The nature of these impurities varies according to the locality from which the oil is
obtained, but for general purposes, they may be said to consist of wax and tarry
matters.
The effect of these matters remaining in the oil is, that they interfere considerably
with the illuminating power of the oil, and the wicks by means of which the oil is
burnt for domestic uses become choked and clogged.
Now, in carrying out my invention, I treat the oil with a chemical solution, by
means of which these impurities are caused to precipitate in the bottom of the vessel
in which the treatment takes place, leaving a pure, highly refined oil of greatly
increased illuminating power.
In treating, say, 1 ton, or 280 gallons of oil, the oil is placed in a suitable tank,
which may be provided with mechanical stirrers of any convenient or suitable con-
struction. To the quantity of oil is added, say, 27 ounces of a solution of chlorinated
potash or soda, and the mixture is agitated for about two hours.
The mixture is then allowed to stand for from 2 to 4 days, during which time the
impurities will gradually precipitate.
The supernatant, purified oil is then drawn off into barrels or tanks for use.
In preparing my solution, I place one ounce of chloride of lime in a suitable vessel.
I add thereto three quarters of a gallon of water, and agitate for some time, say, for
ten minutes, or until a complete mixture is effected. I then add about 1 gill of a
solution of caustic alkali, of a strength of 24 degrees Twaddell, and agitate for, say, a
quarter of an hour.-I then allow the mixture to settle, and draw off the supernatant
liquor or solution of chlorinate of potash or soda, as the case may be, and store it for
subsequent use in the treatment of the oil.

page_text: I would here remark that the oil I have used in making my experiments is well
known in the market as an illuminating oil, and the proportions of the ingredients
used have effected good results, but I do not wish to confine myself to such proportions,
as other oils may require different proportions of the ingredients, and a slightly
modified manipulation; for example, 1 double the proportions for the heavier oils.
Although I have more particularly referred to the treatment of the ordinary
illuminating oils of commerce, my process may be used in place of the final distillation
from the crude oil, or even at an earlier stage of the refining processes, to render the
oil suitable for illuminating purposes.
.
In some cases, I may find it desirable to use a solution of caustic soda or potash
in or about the same proportions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1st. The process of treating mineral oils to be used for illuminating purposes as and
for the purpose set forth.
2nd. The use, in the treatment of mineral oils, of chlorinated Potash or Soda as and
for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 25th day of March 1889.