A Process for Producing a Carbonaceous Agent for Enriching Methylated Spirit and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th July, 1897-Accepted, 20th Nov., 1897
A Process for Producing a Carbonaceous Agent for Enriching
Methylated Spirit and the like.
1, HEINRICH HEMPEL of 4 Waterloo-Ufer, Berlin in the Empire of Germany,
Engineer, 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 object of the present invention is to produce a soluble medium which when
added to spirit, such as methylated spirit shall render the same rich in carbon,
so that it will burn with a luminous flame.
Volatile oils, such as turpentine, rich in carbon and containing little or no
oxygen are best suited for the purpose, but if a quantity of such oils is added to
the spirit the mixture will be transferred to resin if allowed to stand for any length
of time, on the other hand small quantities of the oils do not render the spirit
sufficiently luminous..
It is, therefore, necessary to increase the amount of carbon contained in the
volatile oils without, however, increasing the amount of resin in the same; solid
hydrocarbons and particularly naphthaline are well suited for this purpose.
T'his
substance is soluble in volatile oils and spirit, but possesses the disadvantage that
when these volatile hydrocarbons evaporate, it remains as a residue in the form
of crystals. Thus in a mixture of naphthaline as also in connection with a
luminous spirit consisting of volatile oil and spirit the disadvantage is noticeable
that in a wick lamp, the volatile naphthaline will be deposited in the form of
crystals on the projecting end of the wick. Thus when the lamp is ignited the
naphthaline crystals will burn and in so doing generate considerable smoke.
According to the present invention this disadvantage is avoided by treating the
naphthaline so as to render the same completely soluble in cold water, owing to
the increased solubility the naphthaline will more intimately combine with the
spirits.
Five parts by weight of finely powdered napthaline are gradually added to six
parts by weight of a 96% solution of sulphuric acid which has been previously
heated to about 90 degrees C., the mixture being continually stirred whilst the
naphthaline is being added. The pulpy mass thus obtained is heated to about
160° and frequently agitated. In about an hour's time the mixture will be perfect,
being of a black-brown colour, it is then kept at a temperature of about 160° C. for
several hours. In order to prevent the mass from volatilization the same is heated
in a sealed receptacle having a small nipple to receive a tube. The mass thus
obtained is kept in a closed receptacle and when cold runs to a dark brown pulpy
mass.
One part by weight of this naphthaline, sulphuric acid mass is added to one
part by weight of water in which it entirely dissolves, the solution is then distilled,
the naphthaline in the mass being simultaneously distilled, the residue in the
retort will consist of a black asphalt-like mass. The products of distillation are
then again distilled thus leaving in the retort fluid naphthaline containing a small
quantity of water only.

page_text: One part by weight of this residue of the retort is mixed with from 2 to 6 parts
by weight of one or several volatile oils. rich in carbon, the liquids being
intimately mixed by shaking, or agitation.
The fluid is now ready for use and is added to the spirits in proportions varying
from one part by weight of the solution to 3 to 6 parts by weight of spirit,
according to the composition of the solution and the strength of the spirits, a
complete mixture of both liquids being attained by shaking same together, or
stirring or agitating the mixture.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
A process for producing spirit capable of burning with a luminous flame which
consists in treating the solid hydrocarbon, naphthaline, with sulphuric acid, then
mixing the naphthaline thus treated with volatile oils rich in carbon, said mixture
being added to the spirit in the manner and for the purpose substantially as
described.
73
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.