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Show MORE WEALTH IN PETROLEUM. It is hardly thirty years since petroleum was mainly valued as a medicine. Men bottled it up, to be used during the winter for chilblains or rheumatism, but neglected to analyze its composition with a view to its commercial value. With the excitement of 1860 over the wonderful flow of petroleum, came a new era of discovery in technology. In the first place, by a refining process a cheap burning oil was obtained which forever drove the candlestick and snuffers from even the most humble cottage. When the profits from the preparation of kerosene for market grew less, experiments were made in utilizing the residuum of the rock oil, and no less than nine valuable articles of commerce were added to our wealth. Three kinds of naphthas were manufactured and sold for mixing paints and varnishes, and dissolving rosins, and other uses. Then came the mineral sperm-oil, almost odorless and slow to ignite. This is of great value to steamers and railroads. The neutral lubricating oil, also, and various paraffine [paraffin] oils, it was found, could be profitably extracted from the crude petroleum. By mixing in some cases with animal oils they are especially adapted for machinery. Among the products of lesser general value, but needed in surgery and mechanical purposes, may be added rhigoline and gasoline. In its crude state petroleum is also used in the manufacture of illuminating gas. Within a few months, new discoveries have been made of great importance. In Trumbull County, Ohio-the new oil region recently brought to light-a well was sunk into a vein of the best quality of lubricating oil. It is fit to be used on the finest machinery without any process of refining. An ordinary barrel of Pennsylvania petroleum brings 60 to 65 cents, the Ohio oil commands $16. Other wells are being put down in that region, and there is a prospect of wonderful developments. We may soon be able to go into the markets of the world with our lubricators unburdened by any cost of refining. The next step in the steady march of petroleum will be its utilization as fuel. Many minds are a work on this problem, and some devices have been put before the public; but it is still in an imperfect state. Long reports and elaborate drawings can be found at the libraries, but the suspicion that these fine furnaces may cause too much heat by way of an explosion prevents its general use. The time will come, however, and that soon, when the inventor will be able to cage this dangerous element, tame it, and make it do duty as a heat producer. If the introduction of electric light is successful, petroleum will become cheaper than ever, and necessity, the mother of invention, may be trusted to do her part in developing still further the commercial products of oil-wells.-New York Examiner and Chronicle. |
