Petroleum.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4792, 8 September 1883, Page 3

Petroleum.

*>■ Mr Thomas Crompton, of the Crown Iron* works, hai just completed an apparatus for the purpose of refining crude petroleum, whioh has been tried with considerable suocess on some of that sent to Chrißtohuroh from Gisborne. Ihe appliances are similar to those used in Amerioa and elsewhere for the same purpose, but are, of course, only on a small scale. Ihey consist of a " still " and its reverse— an " agitator." Tht latter ii merely an iron cylinder, very muoh resembling a barrel ohurn, and is worked in tho same ffiauaer, being made to revolve by means of a handle. Into this cylinder the petroleum, which is a muddy looking liquid, of dark gray oolour, is put, together with certain ohemioals. The " agitator " is then set to work, and the liquid is, in teohniosl language, "washed," emerging from tbe prooiu coniidwably im* proved in appearance, being much clearer, and of a brown oolour, with a whitish sediment, wkioh settles at the bottom of any vessel in whioh it is plaoed. Ihe impurities whioh have been washed out take the form of a dark brown, almost blaok sediment, somewhat resembling ooal tar, whioh is said to be of co&siderable value as a lubricant, and for other purposes. Ihe partially refined oil is next transferred to a still, of .the ordinary desoription, from whioh it comes as a liquid very nearly as clear as wator. This is again snbjeoted to further purifications and " washings" till it is deemed sufficiently olean. So far the results of the test of Gisborne petroleum, as witnessed by a member of our itaff at Mr Orompton's works this morning, have been satisfactory. The distilled oil is bright and clear, and in the matter of both smull and colour, compares favourably with a sample of American oil. Its illuminating and othsr necessary qualities cannot of oourse be judged of as yet.