Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume Ii Part 81

=Oil, Caz'eline.= An excellent burning oil, probably prepared from American petroleum, introduced by Ca.s.sell, Smith, and Co., of London.

_Prop._ Bright, limpid, with scarcely a trace of colour; odour very slight, and quite free from any objectionable character; sp. gr. 805; lowest point of ignition 144 Fahr.; burns with a pure white light, free from smoke and smell.

=Oil, Col'zarine.= A heavy hydrocarbon oil, adapted for burning in lamps constructed from the old 'Moderators' and 'Carcels,' formerly so much used for the fat oils.

_Prop._ Limpid; quite inodorous; of a pale amber colour; sp. gr. about 838; temperature at which the vapour can be permanently ignited, 250 Fahr. Tested in the altered moderator, it gives an intense white light, without smoke or smell. Compared with vegetable colza oil, its illuminating power is in the proportion of 3 to 2.

_Obs._ This oil is manufactured by Ca.s.sell, Smith, and Co., under Martin's patent for the modification of mineral oils, to fit them for burning in lamps where 'colza' and other vegetable and animal oils have been usually consumed. Similar oils are prepared by other firms.

=Oil, Machin'ery.= _Syn._ LUBRICATING OIL, SHAFTING O., SPINDLE O. The heavier hydrocarbon, oils obtained in distilling coal, shale, and petroleum, have almost superseded the fat oils for lubricating purposes.

They have no chemical action on the ordinary metals, and are not affected by cold. The lightest of these comparatively heavy oils are used for spindles, or other kinds of rapid machinery; the heaviest for the bearing parts of heavy machinery; and those of an intermediate character for such things as printing-presses, agricultural steam-engines, &c. In America and on the Continent this oil is also used for making gas. The firm of Whitmore and Craddock is favorably known for the manufacture and purification of these machinery oils. See OIL, BELMONTINE (_above_), and OIL, PARAFFIN (_below_).

=Oil, Pa'raffin.= _Syn._ PARAFFINE OIL. This name was given by Mr Young to the oil produced by the distillation of cannel coal, Boghead coal, &c., at a temperature considerably lower than that employed in the manufacture of illuminating gas. The following is a brief outline of Mr Young's process:--

_Manuf._ (Young's patent.) Boghead coal, broken into small fragments, is introduced into perpendicular tubes or retorts, about eleven feet in height, by conical hoppers at their upper extremities. Four of these tubes const.i.tute a set, being built into one furnace, and charged by a single workman. They pa.s.s completely through the furnace, and are closed below by dipping into shallow pools of water, while the openings into the hoppers above may be shut by spherical valves. The coal in each tube is gradually heated as it descends to that part which pa.s.ses through the furnace, and when it reaches the bottom of the tube it has parted with its volatile const.i.tuents, and is raked away as refuse, the coal from above descending as it is removed. Thus, the action of these perpendicular retorts is continuous, and the distillation goes on uninterruptedly both day and night. The vapours produced are conducted by iron tubes to the main condensers, which consist of a series of syphon pipes freely exposed to the air. The quant.i.ty of incondensible gas formed is inconsiderable; and it is this result, so different from that obtained in the ordinary gasworks, that marks the great value of Young's process. The crude oil, a dark-coloured, thick liquid, is then distilled to dryness in large iron cylindrical stills, and is thus freed from the excess of carbon which is left behind as c.o.ke. The oil, after distillation, is further purified by being acted upon by strong sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol), which chars the princ.i.p.al impurities, and causes them to subside in the form of a dense black, heavy acid tar. To separate the remaining impurities, and that portion of the sulphuric acid which remains in the oil, it is next subjected to the action of caustic soda. As thus purified, the paraffin oil contains four distinct commercial products. To effect their separation, the process of fractional distillation is first employed. The first elevation of temperature drives over the lighter and more volatile portions, which, when purified by a subsequent distillation, yields the fluid known as 'paraffin naphtha,' 'petroleum spirit,' 'benzoline.' This product is used as a subst.i.tute for 'turps,' as a solvent for india rubber for cleaning gloves, and for burning in those naphtha lamps so much employed by costermongers, and workmen in railway tunnels and similar situations. On the perfect separation of this naphtha the safety of the burning oil depends. This burning oil, the 'paraffin oil' of commerce, comes over at a much higher temperature than the naphtha. It is a perfectly safe lamp oil, and has a greater illuminating value than any other oil in the market. Its properties are noticed _below_. The third product in point of volatility is a comparatively heavy liquid (machinery oil), largely used for lubricating purposes in the Lancashire factories.

From this oil, and others which come over at a very high temperature, the fourth commercial product is separated by the action of artificial cold.

This last product is the beautiful translucent solid, paraffin, now much used as a candle material.[60] (See OIL, PARAFFIN, PETROLEUM.)

[Footnote 60: For a detailed account of the processes carried on at the Bathgate works, see Mr Tegetmeier's paper in 'England's Workshops,'--Groombridge and Sons.]

In the preparation of paraffin oil, from native petroleum, the oil is obtained by direct distillation from the petroleum, and subsequently separated from the more or less volatile hydrocarbons (the paraffin naphtha, the lubricating oils and the solid paraffin) that are a.s.sociated with it by fractional distillation as in Young's process; whereas, when procured from bituminous minerals, it is derived from the _tar_ or _crude oil_, which has to be previously extracted from the bituminous matters by destructive distillation. There are various methods for obtaining this tar or crude oil, which, although differing in detail, are in general principles very similar to that described in Young's patent. Thus, whilst in many works _closed_ horizontal retorts are employed, in other establishments vertical ones, to the bottoms of which are attached receptacles for the receipt of the exhausted coal or other material as it falls from the retort, the same as in Young's apparatus, are extensively adopted. When horizontal retorts are employed they are made of cast iron, and vary in length from 8 to 10 feet, being from 28 to 34 inches wide and from 9 to 14 inches deep. The charge is introduced by an opening in the end of the retort, by which aperture the exhausted residue is removed when necessary. This aperture is closed by a tightly fitting cast iron cover while the distillation is going on. At the other end of the retort is a pipe for carrying off the products of distillation. This communicates with a larger pipe, and this latter with the condensing apparatus. A number of these retorts are set together in a row, with a furnace at one end, and flues extending beneath the retorts, while the upper parts of the retorts are covered with brickwork, to prevent the oil vapours from being decomposed by the heat of the waste furnace gas pa.s.sing to the chimney through the flues above the retorts.

The gaseous products of the distillation of the tar, leaving the retort by the exit tube already described, are cooled by being made to pa.s.s through a number of iron pipes exposed to the air, or surrounded by water, and thus becoming condensed pa.s.s into a reservoir in the form of the oil, which forms the material from which the various hydrocarbons are separated by fractional distillation. Accompanying the oil vapours are certain uncondensable gases; these escape through a properly contrived outlet which is made in the condensing pipes; in some works these escaping gases are utilised as fuel, and in others for purposes of illumination.

In other works superheated steam is driven into the retorts during the process of distillation; but although this has the effect of sweeping the oil vapour more quickly out of the retort into the condenser, it is questionable whether this advantage covers the extra cost of the production of the steam.[61]

[Footnote 61: Payne's 'Industrial Chemistry.' Edited by Dr Paul.]

In many parts of Germany the extraction of the crude oil or tar from bituminous substances is effected in ovens. In these ovens the bituminous body is thrown upon a layer of burning fuel which covers the bottom of the oven, the result being that the bituminous matter is resolved into gaseous bodies which are lost, and tar which flows downwards toward the burning fuel, which being covered with a layer of clay is prevented from entering into violent combustion. This method, however, is only had recourse to on a small scale, since it is found that in most cases the tar obtained by means of it is not of a kind suited for yielding paraffin and paraffin oils.

The preparation of the tar or crude oil from fossil fuel, of the character already specified, const.i.tutes one of the most delicate and difficult branches in the manufacture of paraffin oils, and paraffin, &c. The chief sources of failure to be avoided are the overheating of the oil vapour, and its consequent decomposition (varying in amount) into useless gaseous products; and its inefficient condensation.

It has been shown by Vohl that even when the construction of the retorts is not of the best, an average yield of tar may be obtained by the proper condensation of the vapours. "The complete condensation of the vapours of the tar is one of the most difficult problems the mineral oil and paraffin manufacturer has to deal with, while the means usually adopted for condensation, such as large condensing surfaces, injection of cold water, and the like, have proved ineffectual. It has often been attempted to condense the vapours of tar in the same manner as those of alcohol, but there exist essential differences between the distillation of fluids and dry distillation. In the former case the vapours soon expel all the air completely from the still and from the condenser, and provided, therefore, that, in reference to the size of the still and bulk of the boiling liquid, the latter be large and cool enough, every part of the vapour must come into contact with the condensing surfaces. In the process of dry distillation the process is entirely different, because with the vapours, say of tar, permanent gases are always generated. On coming into contact with the condensing surfaces a portion of the vapours is liquefied, leaving a layer of gas as a coating, as it were, on the condensing surface. The gas being a bad conductor of heat prevents to such an extent the further action of the condensing apparatus, that a large proportion of the vapours are carried on, and may be altogether lost. A sufficient condensation of the vapours of tar can be obtained only by bringing all the particles of matter which are carried off from the retorts into contact with the condensing surface, which need neither be very large nor exceedingly cold, because the latent heat of the vapours of tar is small, and consequently a moderately low temperature will be sufficient to condense those vapours to the liquid state. The mixture of gases and vapours maybe compared to an emulsion such as milk, and as the particles of b.u.t.ter may be separated from milk by churning, so the separation of the vapours of tar from the gases can be greatly a.s.sisted by the use of exhausters acting in the manner of blowing fans. It is of the utmost importance in condensing the vapours of tar that the molecules of the vapours be kept in continuous motion, and thus made to touch the sides of the condenser. The condenser should not be constructed so that the vapours and gases can flow uninterruptedly in one and the same direction."[62]

[Footnote 62: B. Wagner.]

An important condition for the safe and quiet distillation of the tar or crude oil when obtained is that it should be free from water. Unless the removal of the water is effectually accomplished, during its distillation, the tar may boil over, and coming into contact with the fire under the still may give rise to an alarming conflagration. The dehydration of the tar is effected in an apparatus constructed for the purpose, consisting of an iron tank placed within a larger tank, a s.p.a.ce of about two inches intervening between the two tanks is filled with water, which is heated to, and kept at a temperature of between 60 and 80 C., for 10 hours, by the end of which time the ammoniacal water having separated from the lighter tar is drawn off by a stop-c.o.c.k placed at the bottom of the tank, whilst the tar is decanted through a valve at the top.

In America the distillation of the natural petroleum oils is carried out in cylindrical stills capable of holding as much as 1600 gallons each. The retorts employed in the distillation of the tar or crude oils obtained from shale and other bituminous compounds are often constructed of large cast-iron f.l.a.n.g.ed pans, each capable of containing from 1-1/2 to 3 tons of the oil, "and forming the body of the retort. The pan is set in brickwork with flues running round the upper portion, and beneath it is a perforated dome of brickwork, through which the flame and hot gas from the furnace pa.s.s up round the bottom of the pan before entering the flues by which the upper portion of the pan is heated. To the f.l.a.n.g.e of the pan is fitted a f.l.a.n.g.ed cover having on one side a discharge pipe through which the vapour is pa.s.sed to the worm of the condenser. In the centre of the cover is a manhole. The oil condensed in the worm is discharged through a pipe into a receiver, and the uncondensable gas escapes through an ascending pipe."[63]

[Footnote 63: Palen.]

The processes to which the crude oil or tar and the natural petroleum are next submitted differ only in the degree of treatment with certain agents to which these products are subjected when, after similar methods of fractional distillation, they have been isolated from each other. The benzoline and paraffin oils (both for burning and lubricating purposes) separately yielded by the natural oils seldom require purification, or if so in a minor degree only, whilst the same bodies as obtained from the crude shale oil or tar must be submitted to various processes of depuration before they are fit for the market. Thus, the crude petroleum or burning oil derived from tar is characterised by a more or less dark colour and disagreeable smell--properties which are partly due to the presence of carbolic acid and its h.o.m.ologues. By agitating the paraffin oil with a solution of caustic soda these objectionable substances are removed.

The oil, being next separated from the alkali by subsidence, and any remains of the soda being removed from it by washing with water, is next mixed with an aqueous solution of sulphuric acid in the proportion of 5 per cent. of acid of sp. gr. 170. The acid removes from the oil certain basic substances derived from the tar, which, like the carbolic acid, give to it a bad odour and a dark colour. In this operation thorough admixture of the acid with the oil is important, and this is generally effected by mixing the two in vessels furnished with puddles. After a time, and when the mixture has separated into two layers, the upper one or the paraffin oil is drawn off from the lower or acid one, and well washed with water; in some instances lime water is used for the washing, in others the water is impregnated with caustic alkali. With some samples of crude paraffin oil the above operations have to be repeated two or three times, and even redistilled before the oil becomes sufficiently pure and colourless for sale. When redistilled, the last portions which come over are often found to yield some solid paraffin in addition to that furnished by the first fractional distillation. The 'paraffin,' 'naphtha,' 'petroleum,' 'spirit,'

or 'benzoline' (by all of which names it is known), which forms the more volatile portion of the tar, and which is the first to pa.s.s over from the retort, is subjected to the same treatment as that used for burning oil; as for the denser lubricating oil, which pa.s.ses over after the burning portion, this being freed from any of the latter, is set aside in a cool place, in order that any solid paraffin it contains may crystallise out, and be separated from it.

The waste carbolate of soda resulting from the treatment of the oil with the caustic alkali, being decomposed by sulphuric acid, the liberated carbolic acid is utilised either as a disinfectant, or for saturating railway sleepers; and sometimes as a source of certain tar colours; or it may be used in the manufacture of gas, the soda which remains in the c.o.ke being extracted by lixiviation. The waste sulphuric acid combined with the ammoniacal liquors that always accompany the first stages of the distillation of the tar is made into sulphate of ammonia.

_Prop._ The paraffin oil of commerce is of a very pale amber colour; is bright, perfectly transparent, and remarkably limpid. Its sp. gr. is 823.

Its point of temporary ignition is 150 Fahr., that of permanent ignition being a few degrees higher. Its odour is very slight. Its rate of combustion is slow, as may be inferred from the absence of the lighter oils, as indicated by its high sp. gr. and inflaming point. At the same time its limpidity proves the absence of the heavier oils, and accounts for its rising through a long wick with freedom, and burning without charring the cotton.

=Oil, Petro'leum.= _Syn._ KEROSENE OIL, REFINED PETROLEUM, PARAFFIN OIL.

Most of the burning oils now in the market are derived from American petroleum. That obtained from natural petroleum is now manufactured solely in America. The native petroleums vary greatly in properties, and numerous methods of refining are employed by the manufacturers. The Canadian petroleum contains sulphuretted hydrogen, which imparts to it a very disagreeable smell, and is difficult of removal. Some make use of both acids and alkalies, others employ alkalies alone, and steam is applied at various degrees of heat. Some of the oils produced are of excellent quality, but others are inferior, and do not ascend the wick in sufficient quant.i.ty to afford a constant light. None of the native petroleums contain carbolic acid and other impurities which exist in the oils distilled from coals and shales; hence their purification is simple and comparatively cheap. "The oil prepared from petroleum is almost colourless; it has a specific gravity of about 810, and when of good quality only a slight and rather aromatic odour." (Payen.) See PETROLEUM, and _above_.

=Oil, Shale.= As we have stated, products a.n.a.logous to those derived from cannel coal are obtained by the destructive distillation of bituminous shales and schists, and lignites or brown coals. On the Continent the production of shale oils has of late years declined considerably, owing to their unsuccessful compet.i.tion, in point of price, with the American petroleum oils. The oil obtained from bituminous shale or from coal is generally of higher specific gravity than that procured from petroleum; it is deeper in colour, and not so pleasant in smell.

=OILS (Mixed).= _Syn._ COMPOUND OILS; OLEA COMPOSITA, OLEA MIXTA, L. Under these names are commonly included various mixtures of oils and other substances that possess an unctuous appearance. When not otherwise stated, they are prepared by simply agitating the ingredients together, and, after a sufficient time, decanting the clear portion, which, in some cases, is then filtered. A few of them only possess any importance. Some of them are highly esteemed as remedies among the vulgar, and the use of others is confined to veterinary medicine.

The following include the princ.i.p.al mixed oils of the shops, to which the names of a few other compounds, which are frequently called '_oils_' by the ignorant, are added, for the purpose of facilitating a reference to them:--

=Oil of Turpentine, Sulphurated.= _Syn._ OLEUM TEREBINTHINae SULPHURATUM.

_Prep._ Sulphurated linseed oil, 1 part; oil of turpentine, 3 parts.

=Oil of Turpentine (for acoustic use).= _Syn._ OLEUM TEREBINTHINae ACOUSTIc.u.m. (Mr Manle.) Oil of almonds, 4 drams; oil of turpentine, 40 minims.

=Oil, Acou'stic.= _Syn._ EAR OIL; OLEUM ACOUSTIc.u.m, O. TEREBINTHINae ACOUSTIc.u.m, L. _Prep._ From oil of turpentine, 1 part; oil of almonds, 6 parts; mix. In atonic deafness, accompanied with induration of the wax. 1 or 2 drops are poured into the ear, or on a piece of cotton wool, which is then gently placed in it.

=Oil, Black.= _Syn._ OLEUM NIGRUM, L. _Prep._ 1. Oil of turpentine, 1 pint; rape oil, 3 pints; oil of vitriol, 1/4 lb.; agitate well together with care; then add of Barbadoes tar, 3 oz.; again agitate well, and in 10 days decant the clear portion. Linseed oil is preferred for the above by many persons.

2. (Percivall.) Sweet oil, 1 pint; oil of turpentine, 2 oz.; mix, add gradually of oil of vitriol; 1-1/4 oz.; again mix, and leave the bottle open until the next day. Detersive, stimulant. Used by farriers for mange, &c.

=Oil, British.= _Syn._ COMMON OIL OF PETRE; OLEUM BRITANNIc.u.m, O. PETRae VULGARE, L. _Prep._ From oil of turpentine, 1 quart; Barbadoes tar, 1 lb.; oils of rosemary and origanum, of each 1 oz. Stimulant. Formerly reputed to possess the most astonishing virtues.

=Oil, Camphora'ted.= Liniment of camphor.

=Oil, Car'ron.= Liniment of lime.

=Oil, Chabert's.= _Syn._ CHABERT'S EMPYREUMATIC OIL; OLEUM CHABERTI, O.

CONTRA TaeNIAM CHABERTI, L. Oil of turpentine, 3 parts; Dippel's animal oil, 1 part; mix, and distil 3 parts. It must be preserved from the air and light. Used in tapeworm.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls, in water, night and morning, until 5 or 6 fl. oz., or more, have been taken; a cathartic being given every third day.

=Oil, Exeter.= _Syn._ OLEUM EXCESTRENSE. (Gray.) Green oil, 16 lbs.; euphorbium, mustard seed, castor, pellitory, of each 1 oz.; digest and strain. The original form is more complex. The following is also used:--Rape oil, 1-1/2 pint; green oil, 1/2 pint; oils of wormwood, rosemary, and origanum, of each half a dram.

=Oil, Fur'niture.= _Syn._ MAHOGANY OIL, OIL STAIN. _Prep._ 1. From refined linseed oil, 1 pint; alkanet root, 1/4 oz.; digested together in a warm place until the former is sufficiently coloured, when it is poured off and strained.

2. Pale boiled oil, 1 pint; beeswax, 1/4 lb.; melted together, and coloured as before. Gives a superior polish, which becomes very tough by age.

3. Linseed or boiled oil, 1 pint; Venice turpentine (pure), 6 oz.; as before. The above are used for mahogany and other dark-coloured woods.

4. Linseed oil, 8 oz.; vinegar, 4 oz.; oil of turpentine, mucilage, rectified spirit, of each 1/2 oz.; b.u.t.ter of antimony, 1/4 oz.; hydrochloric acid, 1 oz. Mix.

5. Linseed oil, 16 oz.; black resin, 4 oz.; vinegar, 4 oz.; rectified spirit, 3 oz.; b.u.t.ter of antimony, 1 oz.; spirit of salts, 2 oz.; melt the resin, add the oil, take it off the fire, and stir in the vinegar; let it boil for a few minutes, stirring it; when cool put it into a bottle, and add the other ingredients, shaking all together. The last two are specially used for reviving French polish.

6. (Pale.)--_a._ As the preceding, omitting the alkanet.

_b._ From nut oil, 3/4 pint; beeswax (finest), 3 oz.; melted together.

_c._ To the last add of copal varnish, 3 or 4 oz.