Purifying Oils Page: 5 of 8
1 sheet, 7 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this patent.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
1,277,829
ing an internal condensation with deposi-
tion of carbon-and saturation of unsaturated
groups may be used. Other metallic halids,
such as zinc chlorid and ferric chlorid tend
5 to -produce the same results but with most
oils are not as active as aluminum chlorid.
Titanium chlorid, antimony trichlorid, etc.,
may also be used.
In making medicinal oil I proceed sub-
10 stantially as above stated, but I ordinarily
carry on the operation for some time after
the rapid diminution in the iodin number
stops. With many oils the iodin number
will cease to diminish rapidly after about 2
15 to 6 hours' treatment while with others there
may be a progressive diminution of the
iodin number for as long as 24 hours. This
is particularly the case with oils derived
from an asphaltic base crude petroleum.
20 But in any event I find that to produce a
medicinal oil, warming - with aluminum
chlorid to a temperature around 1500 F
should be for a relatively long time; usually
around 24 hours. The time necessary of
25 course depends on the character of the oil,
on the nature of the purifying steps which
follow the aluminum chlorid treatment and
other conditions, and at times good results
may be obtained with a less period of warm-
30 ing, even as low 6 to 8 hours, but as a rule
20 to 24 hours' warming is advantageous.
In securing the high purity necessary for
these oils I ordinarily employ more alumi-
num chlorid than where the object is merely
35 to improve a lubricating oil and raise its
commercial grade as a lubricating oil. I
may, for instance, employ about 10 to 12
per cent. of aluminum chlorid calculated on
the weight of the oil'under treatment; say,
40 a pound to a gallon, although the exact
quantity will depend, of course, upon the
particular characteristics of the particular
oil under treatment. I find it better to use
naphthene-rich oils derived from petroleums
45 having an asphaltic or semi-asphaltic base,
such as the Texas oils, or certain naphthenic
California oils.
After completion of the aluminum chlorid
reaction, the oil is submitted to certain
50 further purifying operations. Most of the
aluminum chlorid, but not all, will settle
out as a sludge on cooling the mixture and
that which remains in suspension and solu-
tion must be removed. The oil at this
55 stage is not decolorized but on the other
hand is usually blackish or reddish in color
from the presence of dissolved and sus-
pended aluminum chlorid compounds. It
also has a strong taste, is not odorless and
60 usually indeed has an odor of sulfuretted
hydrogen. This oil I next treat with sul-
furic acid, which is used mainly for the
purpose of removing the remaining alumi-
num chlorid. No water should be allowed
65 to come in contact with the oil after thealuminum chlorid treatment and before the
acid treatment. The acid treatment may be
usefully repeated and particularly in the
case of oils which tend to display a fluores-
cence or "bloom." One or two per cent. hy 70
volume of sulfuric acid will suffice. If
'bloom is also to be removed, the quantity of
acid may be increased somewhat. Fuming
sulfuric acid of any commercial strength
may be employed; or the ordinary oil of 75
vitriol may be used. After the acid treat-
ment, ample time should be allowed for set-
tling and depositing the compounds formed
by the acid.
The settled and clarified oil is next given 80
an alkali wash in order to neutralize and
remove any dissolved sulfuric acid com-
pounds from the oil; that is, the oil is agi-
tated with a solution of any suitable alkali,
such as a solution of caustic soda. It is then 85
washed .with water to remove the excess
alkali.
The remaining taste and odor are removed
with super-heated steam which carries away
some hydrocarbons of the kerosene series 90
having taste and odor and renders the oil
.completely tasteless and odorless. Since
the steaming may leave the oil sufficiently
moist to cloud on cooling the oil may be next
dried. This may be effected by blowing 95
air through it for a time while it is still
warm. Finally the oil is filtered and freed
of mechanical impurities, advantageously
with fullers' earth or other pulverulent de-
colorizing filtered material, such as bone- 100
black. This filtration with decolorants has
the advantage that any remaining color is
removed.
The product made in the stated manner
is colorless, tasteless, odorless and has a 105
flash point of not below 3250 F., and a boil-
ing point as high as 6500 F. or above. It
is substantially inert to all ordinary chemi-
cal reagents and responds to the most strin-
gent tests of the various pharmacopoias for 110
hydrocarbon oils for internal or external
use. Because of' its neutral permanent
characteristics it may be used as a basis for
the manufacture of perfumes; as in the well
known enfleurage process. 115
The sludge resultingfrom the above proc-
ess may be added to fresh lubricating oil as
has, been above described or it may be used
in making gasolene from gas oil, solar oil,
etc., in accordance with the process of my 120
application Serial No. 792,615, filed Septem-
ber 30, 1913. A more advantageous appli-
cation of this partly exhausted sludge and
one which is more particularly contemplated
in the present invention, is its use .for mak- 125
ing the original material for the manufac-
ture of medicinal oils. For this purpose
crude petroleum oil may be freed of low
boiling constituents, if any substantial
amount be present, and then admixed with 130
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This patent can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Patent.
McAfee, Almer M. Purifying Oils, patent, August 27, 1918; [Washington D.C.]. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1257804/m1/5/: accessed July 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.