NITED STATES PATENT

nines,

THOMAS J. GORDON, OF LIMA, OHIO.

PROCESS OF PURlFYlNGpPETROLEUM DISTILLATES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 451,724, dated May 5, 1891.
Application ?led June 30, 1890. $erial No. 357,289. ($pecimens.)

'

In carrying my invention into effect I dis

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. GORDON, of solve in or mix with the distillate a chemical
Lima, in the county of Allen and State of Ohio, having an affinity for sulphur, preferably 55
have invented certain new and useful Im litharge, which acts as a deodorizing agent
provements in a Process of Purifying Pe and at the same time eliminates the sulphur
troleum Distillates; and I do hereby declare held in mechanical suspension therein. The
that the following is a full, clear, and exact distillate thus treated is then drawn into an_
description of the invention, which will enable other vessel, where it is treated with a cold

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

others skilled in the art to which it apper

tains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a process of puri

solution of sulphate of magnesia, the speci?c

gravity of which is preferably ?ve degrees
heavier than Water on a Baum alkali hy

fying petroleum distillates. As is well known, drometer.

The distillate is then agitated,

nearly all petroleum contains a certain per

either by mechanical stirrers or by a current

cent. of sulphur, and some such a large per of air, the latter being preferred, from two to
cent. as to render its elimination for the pur three hours, and is then allowed to rest until

65

pose of producing a high-grade illuminating the solution settles, after which the water
oil practically impossible. It has been the contained therein is drawn off. I then add a
solution of sulphuric acid that shows ?ve de
an oxide of lead, preferably with litharge, to grees heavier than water on a Baum acid
eliminate the sulphur held in mechanical hydrometer? The distillate is then again agi

> custom heretofore to treat the distillate with

20

suspension therein,_ and also to desulphurize tated for about one hour, when a yellowish
the distillate; but when so treated the distil~ precipitate is drawn off, which indicates that
late in burning deposits a large amount of the lead and sulphur vheld in suspension in 75
carbon or lamp-black, and also emits a very

25 disagreeable odor, which result can be traced

to the fact that the lead oxide is soluble in
petroleum or its distillates, so that in the at
tempt to eliminate the sulphur-a metallic base
is substituted therefor.
It is the object of the present invention to
overcome these obstacles by treating the dis
tillate with a substance having an af?nity for

sulphur and lead, which, after having per

the distillate are precipitated.

After the sul

phur compounds and lead have been re

moved a suitable alkaline solution is incor

porated by agitation to neutralize any acid

which might remain in the distillate, after
which it is washed to remove the alkali. By
this process I am enabled thoroughly to elimi
nate from the product all trace of lead or sul

phur, and as a result produce ahigh grade of

illuminating and practically smokeless oil. 85

Having thus fully described my invention,

formed its functions, is expelled from the dis

35 tillate by suitable means, whereby the said what I claim as new, and desire to secure by
distillate is rendered free from sulphur com Letters Patent, is e
1. The herein-described process of purify
pounds and lead, thus presenting a pure high

grade and practically inodorous illuminat

ing-oil.

ing petroleum distillates, which consists, ?rst,

in subjecting the same to the action of a

lVith these objects in View the invention chemical having an affinity for sulphur pro
consists in treating the distillate with a chemi ducts, such as litharge, then admixing with
cal having an affinity for sulphur products, the distillate thus treated sulphate of mag
such as litharge, subjecting the distillate thus nesium to precipitate the sulphur products 95
treated to the action of a substance capable and litharge, then adding an acid to precipi
45 of separating the litharge and sulphur com tate the remaining sulphur and lead pro
pounds from the said distillate, preferably ducts, then adding an alkaline solution to
sulphate of magnesia, then submitting the dis neutralize the acid, and ?nally washing the
tillate to the action of an acid capable of pre I distillate to remove the alkali.
2. The herein-described process of purity
cipitating the sulphur and lead held in solu
50 tion, then to the action of an alkaline solu ing petroleum distillates, which consists, ?rst, '
tion to neutralize the acid, and then washing in subjecting the distillate to the action of
the distillate to remove the alkali.

litharge; secondly, addingsulphate of mag

10

451,724

nesium t0 the distillate and agitating the

whole; thirdly, adding an acid solution and
agitating; fourthly, adding an alkaline solution and agitating, and ?nally washing the
distillate.
3. The herein-described process of purify-

ing petroleum distillates, which consists, ?rst,

in subjecting the distillate t0 the action of
litharge, then adding a cold solution of sul

phate of magnesium, agitating and drawing

off the water, then adding sulphuric acid,

agitating and drawing off the precipitate,

then adding an alkaline solution and agitat
ing to neutralize the acid, and ?nally wash
ing to remove the alkali.
In testimony that I claim the foregoing as
my own I hereby af?X my signature in pres
ence of two Witnesses.
THOMAS J. GORDON.
WVitncsses:
WILLIAM WEBSTER,
-ANNA J. LEHANEY.