TARANAKI OIL WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 145, 19 June 1906, Page 2

TARANAKI OIL WORKS.

. Professor Easterfield, of the Victoria University, Wellington, has submitted the report of-Ms analysis of crude petroleum from the Moturoa- bore. The report says-. The crude oil sample' was of greenish colour, red by transmitted light, and without offensive jsmell. It was semi-solid at an ordinary temperature, but completely liquid at SOdeg Fahr. It contains sufficient volatile matter to flash at an ordinary temperature. The specific gravity -was 84 at 65deg Fahr. The sample was free of water and grit. When distilled the oil gart-e the following products: Benzine (distilling between 50deg and 150deg C), 20 per cent; burning oil (distilling between 120deg and 300deg C.).. 40 per cent.: heavy oil for lubricating (300 and 440 deg C.), 37 per cent.; pitch, 2 per cent.; loss, 1 per cent.; total, 100 per cent. The kerosene is of greater density than White Rose oil, and shows a greater tendency to smoke when burnt in American lamps. This defect also is shown in Russian kerosenes, but is largely overcome by the practical manufacturer. Heavy oil and paraffin heavy oil set at an ordinary temperature owing to the deposition of the solid paraffin. The maximum amount of paraffin scale whicr I obtained was equal to 13 per cent of the crude petroleum. After pressing and re-melting, the scale showed a melting point of 130deg Fahr. The yield of paraffin in a properly arranged distillery, fitted for cold filtration, would be greater than in a laboratory experiment. The melting point of wax would also be raised by systematic sweating, as earned out by the modern manufacturer, lne lubricating oil was a good lubricant giving complete satisfaction in practical test The alkali is most satisfactory.