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Chapter VIII—The Physical and Chemical Properties of Kansas Petroleums
by W. A. Whitaker, F. W. Campbell and Clarence Estes
Division of State Chemical Research
Previous Work
Previous investigations, which have included the analytical characteristics of certain of the Kansas petroleums, have been carried out by Bailey (1897, p. 51-53), Bartow and McCollum (1903), Richardson (1906, p. 57, 81), Bushong (1908, p. 303-317), Day of the United States Geological Survey (1913, p. 1190), and others. For the purpose of comparing the properties of certain of these petroleums with some of those being produced at the present time, and herein later recorded, a summary of the analytical characteristics as determined by former investigators is given in Tables Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive.
Table 1—Properties of Kansas Crude Petroleums. (Bushong, 1908, p. 314)
Field No. |
Location | Specific gravity, 60° F. |
Baumé, 60° F. |
Flash point, degrees F. |
Burning point, degrees F. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | Neodesha | .8378 | 37.1 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
8 | Bolton | .8413 | 36.4 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
15 | Peru (town) | .8465 | 35.4 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
16 | Peru (Huffman) | .8473 | 35.2 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
14 | Peru (Blundell) | .8525 | 34.2 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
17 | Paola | .8573 | 33.3 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
12 | Caney | .8601 | 32.8 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
13 | Peru (Alford) | .8601 | 32.8 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
4 | Humboldt | .8622 | 32.4 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
19 | Chanute | .8639 | 32.0 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
7 | Independence | .8649 | 31.9 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
1 | Erie | .8674 | 31.4 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
2 | Shaw | .8684 | 31.2 | 43 | 115 |
11 | Coffeyville | .8706 | 30.8 | Below 40 | 95 |
3 | Urbana | .8722 | 30.5 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
6 | Moran | .8749 | 30.0 | Below 40 | Below 80 |
9 | South of Independence | .9110 | 23.7 | 265 | 310 |
10 | Benedict | .9240 | 21.5 | 275 | 340 |
18 | Burlington | .9340 | 19.7 | 194 | 275 |
Table 2—Distillates from Kansas Petroleums, Percentage Yield. (Bushong, 1908, p. 315)
Field No. |
Gasoline to 150° C. by volume |
Kerosene, 150°-300° C. by volume |
---|---|---|
5 | 17.2 | 29.4 |
8 | 16.3 | 32.8 |
15 | 14.0 | 27.7 |
16 | 13.4 | 29.7 |
14 | 11.9 | 29.4 |
17 | 11.3 | 30.7 |
12 | 9.0 | 33.6 |
13 | 10.3 | 29.6 |
4 | 10.7 | 28.1 |
19 | 8.7 | 31.4 |
7 | 11.2 | 24.5 |
1 | 7.2 | 31.2 |
2 | 5.6 | 34.1 |
11 | 7.3 | 27.4 |
3 | 9.1 | 30.5 |
6 | 8.9 | 27.7 |
9 | 13.7 | |
10 | 7.3 | |
18 | 14.4 |
Table 3—Properties of Kansas Crude Petroleums. (Day, 1913, p. 1190)
Serial No. |
Location of Well | Depth of well, feet |
Specific gravity, 15.5° C. |
Baumé, 60° F. |
Begins to distil |
Paraffin, percent |
Asphalt, percent |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Allen County | |||||||
Humboldt pool: | |||||||
354 | McKinley Crude Oil Co., Humboldt | Settling tank | .8878 | 27.7 | 123° C. 253° F. |
3.93 | 2.33 |
355 | McKinley Crude Oil Co., Logan township | 851 | .8895 | 27.4 | 110° C. 230° F. |
1.92 | 2.68 |
356 | Fussman lease, Logan township; Frank Fussman, Humboldt | 850 | .8822 | 28 7 | 108° C. 226° F. |
2.10 | 1.03 |
357 | Fussman lease, Logan township; Frank Fussman, Humboldt | 850 | . 8850 | 28.2 | 85° C. 185° F. |
7.92 | 0.39 |
Chanute pool: | |||||||
358 | Hedrich lease, I. N. Knapp, Chanute | 700 | .8706 | 30.8 | 125° C. 257° F. |
3.78 | 0.89 |
359 | Beach lease, Rex Oil & Gas Co., Chanute | 751 | .8647 | 31.9 | 109° C. 228° F. |
4.25 | 1.23 |
360 | Beach lease, Rex Oil & Gas Co., Chanute | 737 | .8647 | 31.9 | 110° C. 230° F. |
4.71 | 1.45 |
361 | Kansas Cooperative Refining Co., Chanute | Tank. | .8615 | 32.5 | 90° C. 44° F. |
1.45 | 1.50 |
362 | Chanute Refining Co. | Pipe line. | .8637 | 32.1 | 113° C. 235° F. |
4.32 | 1.15 |
Moran pool: | |||||||
363 | Carroll lease, Eastern Kansas Oil Co., Moran | 735 | .8794 | 29.2 | 95° C. 203° F. |
1.21 | 2.63 |
364 | Smith lease, Eastern Kansas Oil Co., Moran | 535 | .8799 | 29.1 | 78° C. 172° F. |
3.48 | 1.88 |
365 | Newton lease, E. I. Holman, Moran | 735 | .8712 | 30.7 | 75° C. 163° F. |
3 94 | 2.67 |
366 | Eastern Kansas Oil Co., Moran | Pipe line. | .8589 | 33.0 | 106° C. 223° F. |
4.61 | 2.32 |
Chautauqua County | |||||||
Peru pool: | |||||||
367 | Prairie Oil & Gas Co., Peru Station, Independence | Pipe line. | .8526 | 34 2 | 87° C. 189° F. |
3.81 | 0.35 |
368 | F. G. Hill's lease, Interstate Oil & Gas Co., Peru | 1,070 | .8557 | 33.6 | 110° C. 230° F. |
5.79 | 1.53 |
369 | Hill's lease, Central Pool Oil Co., Peru | 1,100 | .8521 | 34.3 | 80° C. 176° F. |
5.24 | 0.20 |
370 | Interstate lease, Pittsburg Oil & Gas Co., Peru | 1,100 | .8454 | 35.6 | 77° C. 171° F. |
4.54 | 0.42 |
371 | Interstate lease, Pittsburg Oil & Gas Co., Peru | 1,100 | .8500 | 34.7 | 66° C. 151° F. |
5.41 | 0.34 |
Elk County | |||||||
Longton pool: | |||||||
372 | Allen County Investment Co., Longton | 585 | .8637 | 32.1 | 98° C. 208° F. |
7.19 | 0.89 |
373 | Allen County Investment Co., Longton | .8631 | 32.2 | 96° C. 200° F. |
4.30 | 1.56 | |
Franklin County | |||||||
Rantoul pool: | |||||||
374 | Springer lease, Hardison & Streeter, Rantoul | 350 | .8557 | 33.6 | 76° C. 168° F. |
3.45 | 2.29 |
375 | Tullows lease, Hardison & Streeter, Rantoul | 350 | .8750 | 30.0 | 136° C. 277° F. |
3.98 | 2.80 |
Miami County | |||||||
Paola pool: | |||||||
378 | C. J. Hafey, Paola | 360 | .8511 | 34.5 | 80° C. 176°F. |
7.44 | 2.94 |
Montgomery County | |||||||
Coffeyville pool: | |||||||
379 | Gilroy lease, Brown Brokerage Co., Coffeyville | 600 | 8822 | 28.7 | 173° C. 343° F. |
5.31 | 0.17 |
380 | M. Davis lease, Dunkley & Odell, Coffeyville | 625 | .8717 | 30.6 | 100° C. 212° F. |
||
381 | T. Hall lease, Lynch & McSweeney, Wayside | 800 | .8696 | 31.0 | 75° C. 167° F. 1 |
4.66 | 0.61 |
382 | T. Hall lease, Lynch & McSweeney, Wayside | .8838 | 28.4 | 81° C. 188° F. |
|||
Bolton pool: | |||||||
383 | G. L. Bank lease, Miller, Rider & Co., Independence | 1,180 | .8424 | 36.2 | 72° C. 162° F. |
||
384 | Prairie Oil & Gas Co., Station 5, Independence | .8495 | 34.8 | 109° C. 228° F. |
6.31 | 0.55 | |
Neosho County | |||||||
Erie pool: | |||||||
386 | Webb lease. Northland Oil & Gas Co., Erie | .8739 | 30.2 | .135° C. 275° F. |
4.78 | 3.20 | |
387 | Barger lease, Buckeye Oil & Gas Co., Erie | 520 | .8658 | 31 7 | 110° C. 230° F. |
1.22 | 0.88 |
388 | Thayer | .8490 | 34.9 | ||||
Wilson County | |||||||
Neodesha pool: | |||||||
389 | D. Johnson lease, Dolly Johnson Oil & Gas Co., Neodesha | 800 | .8373 | 37.2 | 80° C. 176° F. |
||
390 | T. Johnson lease, Prairie Oil & Gas Co., Neodesha | 820 | .8368 | 37.3 | 88° C. 190° F. |
3.40 | 0.08 |
391 | Dolly Johnson Oil & Gas Co., Neodesha | Settling tank. | .8568 | 33 4 | 135° C. 275° F. |
5.79 | 0.10 |
392 | Neodesha | .8350 | 37.7 | ||||
393 | Neodesha | .8350 | 37.7 |
Table 4—Gasoline obtained from Kansas petroleums by distilling to 150° C. (302° F.). (Day, 1913, p. 1190)
Serial No. |
Percent volume |
Specific gravity, 15.5° C. |
Baumé, 60° F. |
---|---|---|---|
354 | 1.0 | ||
355 | 3.0 | ||
356 | 5.0 | .7460 | 57.6 |
357 | 3.5 | .7515 | 56.3 |
358 | 3.0 | .7500 | 56.7 |
359 | 5.0 | .7350 | 60.5 |
360 | 6.0 | .7355 | 60.4 |
361 | 7.5 | .7156 | 65.6 |
362 | 4.5 | .7405 | 59.1 |
363 | 8.0 | .7275 | 62.5 |
364 | 10.0 | .7105 | 67.1 |
365 | 7.5 | .7190 | 66.9 |
366 | 3.0 | .7330 | 61.0 |
367 | 7.0 | .7244 | 63.3 |
368 | 7.0 | .7311 | 61.5 |
369 | 12.0 | .7160 | 65.5 |
370 | 11.0 | .7218 | 64.0 |
371 | 13.0 | .7177 | 65.0 |
372 | 12.0 | .7202 | 64.0 |
373 | 6.0 | .7360 | 60.2 |
374 | 11.5 | .7116 | 66.7 |
375 | 1.0 | ||
376 | 5.5 | .7220 | 63.9 |
378 | 10.0 | .7202 | 64.4 |
380 | 6.0 | .7289 | 62.1 |
381 | .9.5 | .7100 | 67.2 |
382 | 5.0 | .7315 | 61.4 |
383 | 14.7 | .7273 | 62.5 |
384 | 7.0 | .7358 | 60.3 |
386 | 1.0 | ||
387 | 3.0 | ||
388 | 16.7 | .7282 | 62.3 |
389 | 17.0 | .7172 | 65.2 |
390 | 16.0 | .7185 | 64.9 |
391 | 1.0 | ||
392 | 19.1 | .7205 | 64.3 |
393 | 19.8 | .7252 | 62.5 |
Present Investigation
Since the foregoing investigations were made, several new fields have been developed, prominent among which are the Augusta and El Dorado fields, and the impetus thus given to local production has caused the reexploration and extension of several of the older fields, such as the Paola, the Rantoul and others. In the present investigation the physical and chemical properties of twenty-two crude petroleums have been determined. Of this number, nine samples came from the new fields in Butler county (Augusta and El Dorado); six came from Miami county (Paola); and one each from Franklin, Woodson, Allen, Wilson, Neosho, Chautauqua and Cowley counties.
Methods Used
Sampling. Most of the samples which were used in this investigation were collected by one of the writers personally (Mr. F. W. Campbell). Others, Nos. 3, 5, 6 and 22, were received through. the kindness, respectively, of the Prairie Oil Company; Mr. E. E. Lyder, of the Empire Gas and Fuel Company; the Gypsy Oil Company; and Mr. W. B. Varner, of the Imperial Oil and Gas Company. The samples were taken at the well while pumping, and shipped in one-gallon wooden sheathed cans, which were stopped with cork and sealed with plaster of Paris. All samples reported herewith arrived at the laboratory intact and in good condition.
Specific Gravity. The specific gravity was determined in the ordinary form of pyknometer, holding approximately 25 cc. at 15° C. The Baumé gravity was calculated' from the specific gravity, using conversion tables given in Van Nostrand's Chemical Annual, 1913.
Viscosity. Viscosity was determined in an Engler viscosimeter at 20° C., the result being expressed in degrees Engler, which is the time of flow of oil divided by the time of flow of an equivalent volume of water.
Flash and Fire Points. Flash and fire points were determined in a Standard Abel tester. The higher boiling fractions were tested in an open glass cup two inches in diameter filled within a quarter of an inch of the top and heated on a sand bath, allowing the temperature to rise about two degrees per minute. A gas test flame, approximately the size of that used for the Abel tester, was used.
Fractionation. The Ubbelohde Engler method of distillation was used, samples of 800 cc. being distilled in a one-liter flask with a vertical condenser. Dry carbon dioxide was used to aid in removing the water in the first fractions. The lighter distillates were collected in bottles packed in ice. To facilitate the removal of the heavier distillates, the condenser water was warmed. Fractions were taken off as shown, allowing the flask to cool, followed by reheating several times to each temperature. After distillation the fractions were refined by shaking with one to two percent of 60° Baumé sulphuric acid, washing with water, neutralizing with 30° Baumé sodium hydroxide, washing with water again and drying over fused calcium chloride.
Index of Refraction. The index of refraction of the distillates was determined in an Abbe refractometer at 25° C. The instrument was checked against a Pulfrich refractometer and found to be accurate.
Paraffin. The method which is used by the German custom-house authorities was adopted for the determination of paraffin. It consists in distilling 100 grams of crude oil until a temperature of 300° C. is reached. The fraction obtained by distilling between 300° C. and coke, without the use of a condenser, is caught in a tared receiver and the weight of the distillate determined. To 5 to 10 grams of this distillate is added a one-to-one mixture of ether and absolute alcohol until a clear solution is obtained. The mixture is then cooled to -20° C. and just enough of the ether-alcohol mixture is added until all oily drops are dissolved and only the precipitated paraffin remains. The paraffin is then filtered by suction on a funnel surrounded by an ice-salt freezing mixture and washed free from oil by the ether-alcohol mixture which is cooled to -20° C. The filter paper containing the paraffin is then removed to another funnel and the paraffin dissolved and washed into a tared beaker with hot naphtha (B. P. 40-50° C.). The solvent is then evaporated on a water bath, and the contents dried at 105° C., cooled and weighed.
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons. The unsaturated hydrocarbons were determined by the method of Kramer and Buttcher, which consists in adding an equal volume of concentrated sulphuric acid (sp. gr. 1.84) to the sample of oil contained in a graduated cylinder. The oil and acid are mixed, and, after standing several hours, centrifuged, and the volume of uncombined oil recorded. The difference between the original volume and uncombined oil is taken to represent the unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Calorific Value. The calorific value was determined by the formula developed by Sherman and Kroff (Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 30, p. 1626, 1908):
B. T. U. = 18,650 + 40 degrees Baumé - 10)
This method, as well as that used for the determination of sulphur, was resorted to because of the nonavailability of a bomb calorimeter at the time these tests were made.
Sulphur. The sulphur was determined by the method of Rathe, which is only of approximate accuracy (Houlde, D., Examination of Petroleum and Petroleum products, p. 40). To about 3 grams of the oil in a 300 cc. round-bottom pyrex flask is added 1.5 grams of magnesium oxide and 30 c.c. of nitric acid (sp. gr. 1.48). After the first violent reaction the flask is heated gently on a hot plate for about two hours. The temperature is then increased, the excess of nitric acid evaporated, and the heating continued until the nitrates begin to decompose. After cooling, 10 c.c. of concentrated nitric acid are added and the flask placed on the hot plate and evaporated to dryness. The flask is then heated with a burner until the nitrates are completely decomposed. The residue remaining is then dissolved in hydrochloric acid (sp. gr. 1.124) and filtered after diluting with 30 c.c. of water. The sulphates in the filtrate are determined by the barium chloride method.
Nitrogen. (Prutzman, Paul W., 1913, Petroleum in Southern California: California State Min. Bureau, Bull. 63, p. 40) Determinations of this element were made by a modification of the Kjeldahl process, in which the oil is oxidized by means of fuming sulphuric acid and permanganate until colorless, diluted, neutralized, and distilled, and the ammonia estimated in the usual manner.
Asphalt. The asphalt was determined by Holde's method, by weighing off 1 gram of residuum and shaking this with 40 c.c. of gasoline which was free from unsaturated hydrocarbons and which boiled between 65° and 95° C. After shaking, this is allowed to stand for 48 hours and the precipitated asphalt is dissolved in benzol, dried at 105°, and weighed. Accuracy greater than 1 percent is not claimed for these analyses.
Formolit Reaction. (Nastjukojf Test). (Houlde, D., Examination of Petroleum and Petroleum products.) When formaldehyde in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid is added to a mineral oil the unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbons are precipitated. In this way a solid is obtained for which the name "formolit" has been suggested. The formolit number is the number of grams of dried formolit which are obtained from 100 grams of oil under definite conditions. The color of the formolit precipitates obtained in these tests on Kansas petroleums was uniformly a grayish brown.
Data Obtained in the Present Investigation
The physical and chemical properties of Kansas petroleums as determined in the present investigation are summarized in tables numbers 5 to 12, inclusive.
Table 5a—Properties of Kansas Crude Petroleums.
County | Location | Depth of wells |
Lab No. | Specific gravity, 15° C. |
Baumé, 59° F. |
Viscosity, 20° C. |
Flash | Fire |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Butler | El Dorado, Murphy No. 11, S. 31, T. 25, R. 5 E. | 2,400 | 1 | .8190 | 40.9 | 1.46 | 7° C. 45° F. |
8° C. 47° F. |
Cowley | Winfield, Clark No. 1, S. 6, T. 31, R. 4 E. | 3,353 | 2 | .8271 | 39.2 | 1.31 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
|
Butler | Augusta, G. W. Bell No. 1, S. 28, T. 27, R. 4 E. | 2,448 | 3 | .8270 | 39.2 | 1.38 | 5° C. 41° F. |
7° C. 44° F. |
Butler | El Dorado, Weaver No. 1, S. 1, T. 28, R. 5 E. | 2,473 | 4 | .8312 | 38.4 | 1.39 | 4° C. 39° F. |
6° C. 43° F. |
Butler | Augusta, Penley lease, S. 21, T. 27, R. 4 E. | 5 | .8320 | 38.2 | 1.46 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
||
Butler | El Dorado, Hazlett lease, S. 34, T. 25, R. 5 E. | 6 | .8381 | 37.0 | 1.54 | 12° C. 54° F. |
17° C. 63° F. |
|
Butler | Douglass, Patterson lease, S. 18, T. 29, R. 4 E. | 7 | .8386 | 36.9 | 1.53 | 2° C. 36° F. |
3° C. 38° F. |
|
Butler | El Dorado, Wilson No. 2, S. 27, T. 25, R. 5 E. | 2,662 | 8 | .8412 | 36.4 | 1.52 | 3° C. 37° F. |
5° C. 41° F. |
Butler | El Dorado, Wrightsman-Foster No. 55, S. 31, T. 25, R. 5 E. | 9 | .8496 | 34.7 | 1.62 | 7° C. 46° F. |
12° C. 53° F. |
|
Butler | Augusta, Anderson No. 1, S. 9, T. 27, R. 4 E. | 1,980 | 10 | .8526 | 34.2 | 2.09 | 3° C. 37° F. |
5° C. 42° F. |
Miami | Paola, Chiles & Cooper lease, S. 9, T. 17, R. 22 E. | 700-750 | 11 | .8585 | 33.0 | 4.05 | 7° C. 45° F. |
17° C. 63° F. |
Miami | Paola, C. B. Purcell lease, S. 35, T. 17, R. 23 E. | 400-450 | 12 | .8557 | 33.6 | 1.98 | 4° C. 39° F. |
8° C. 46° F. |
Miami | Paola, Wingert No. 1, S. 9, T. 17, R. 22 E. | 705 | 13 | .8661 | 31.6 | 2.96 | 5° C. 41° F. |
17° C. 63° F. |
Wilson | Guilford, S. 23, T. 28, R. 15 E. | 14 | .8662 | 31.6 | 3.29 | 5° C. 41° F. |
7° C. 44° F. |
|
Miami | Paola, Lon Altman lease, S. 8, T. 17, R. 22 E. | 750 | 15 | .8671 | 31.4 | 3.19 | 8° C. 46° F. |
23° C. 73° F. |
Franklin | Rantoul, Eliz. Tullos lease, S. 27, T. 17. R. 21 E. | 650 | 16 | .8703 | 30.8 | 2.98 | 9° C. 48° F. |
13° C. 55° F. |
Neosho | Chanute, 2 miles north | 17 | .8710 | 30.7 | 2.73 | |||
Miami | Town lots of Paola, Little Cushing field | 460 | 18 | .8740 | 30.1 | 4.06 | 31° C. 87° F. |
41° C. 105° F. |
Chautauqua | Oakley lease, S. 30, T. 32, R. 13 E. | 19 | .8782 | 29.4 | 3.39 | 11° C. 51° F. |
14° C. 57° F. |
|
Miami | Paola, Day farm, S. 26, T. 17, R. 22 E. | 20 | .8860 | 28.0 | 6.17 | 32° C. 90° F. |
37° C. 99° F. |
|
Allen | LaHarpe, S. 15, T. 24, R. 19 E. | 21 | .8895 | 27.4 | 6.74 | 13° C. 56° F. |
21° C. 69° F. |
|
Woodson | Vernon, S. 8, T. 24, R. 16 E. | 1,030 | 22 | .9027 | 25.0 | 16.31 | 9° C. 49°F. |
16° C. 60° F. |
Table 5b—Properties of Kansas Crude Petroleums.
Laboratory No. |
B. T. U. per pound |
Sulphur, percent by weighta |
Paraffins, percent by weight |
Unsaturated hydrocarbons, percent by volume |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1988 | 0.14 | 1.54 | 14 |
2 | 19820 | .11 | 1.67 | 8 |
3 | 19820 | .21 | 1.61 | 12 |
4 | 19790 | .15 | 2.61 | 12 |
5 | 19780 | .14 | 2.34 | 12 |
6 | 19730 | .12 | 14 | |
7 | 19730 | .25 | 1.93 | 16 |
8 | 19710 | .13 | 1.62 | 16 |
9 | 19640 | .21 | 2.19 | 12 |
10 | 19620 | .42 | 1.24 | 28 |
11 | 19570 | .28 | 2.13 | 30 |
12 | 19590 | .11 | 1.25 | 12 |
13 | 19520 | 2.33 | 32 | |
14 | 19510 | .10 | 1.06 | 26 |
15 | 19510 | .08 | 2.05 | 30 |
16 | 19480 | .26 | 1.32 | 28 |
17 | 19480 | |||
18 | 19460 | .27 | 1.81 | 24 |
19 | 19430 | .15 | 2.02 | 28 |
20 | 19370 | |||
21 | 19350 | .28 | 1.62 | |
22 | 19200 | |||
a. Bartow and McCollum found an average of 0.27 percent sulphur, while Bushong reported an average of 0.35 percent sulphur. (Kan. Univ. Geol. Survey, vol. 9, p. 313, 1908.) |
Table 6—Fractionation of Kansas Petroleums
To 150° C. (302° F.).
Lab No. | Percent by volume |
Percent by weight |
Specific gravity, 15° C. |
Baumé, 59° F. |
Refractive index 25° C. |
Flash | Fire |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 23.9 | 20.8 | .7249 | 63.1 | 1.4008 | 3° C. 37° F. |
|
7 | 23.5 | 20.5 | 7354 | 60.4 | 1.4029 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
2 | 20.8 | 18.0 | .7151 | 65.8 | 1.3961 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
10 | 20.3 | 17.2 | .7230 | 63.6 | 1.3989 | 3° C. 37° F. |
4° C. 39° F. |
4 | 18.8 | 16.0 | .7183 | 64.9 | 1.3941 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
5 | 17.7 | 15.3 | .7216 | 64.0 | 1.3940 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
1 | 17.5 | 15.1 | .7148 | 65.9 | 1.3955 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
9 | 17.5 | 14.9 | 7339 | 60.8 | 1.4047 | 8° C. 46° F. |
10° C. 50° F. |
8 | 16.7 | 14.2 | 7218 | 63.9 | 1.3950 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
15 | 15.4 | 13.6 | 7255 | 63 0 | 1.4024 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
6 | 15.3 | 13.3 | .7189 | 64.8 | 1.3985 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
12 | 15.3 | 12.8 | .7189 | 64.8 | 1.3984 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
13 | 13.6 | 11.2 | .7257 | 62.9 | 1.3962 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
16 | 12.8 | 10.7 | .7255 | 63.0 | 1.4001 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
11 | 12.4 | 10.2 | .7217 | 64.0 | 1.3991 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
17 | 10.5 | 9.1 | .7386 | 59.6 | 1.4057 | ||
14 | 10.5 | 8.3 | .7118 | 66 7 | 1.4123 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
19 | 9.4 | 7.8 | .7294 | 61.9 | 1.3970 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
21 | 8.8 | 7.3 | .7341 | 60.7 | 1.4200 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
22 | 8.7 | 7.3 | .7211 | 64.1 | 1.4028 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
18 | 7.4 | 6.4 | .7384 | 59.9 | 1.4109 | 4° C. 39° F. |
5° C. 41° F. |
20 | 6.5 | 5.5 | .7518 | 56.2 | 1.4108 | Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Below 0° C. 32° F. |
Table 7—Fractionation of Kansas petroleums.
150° C. (302° F.) to 200° C. (392° F.).
Lab No. | Percent by volume |
Percent by weight |
Specific gravity, 15° C. |
Baumé, 59° F. |
Refractive index 25° C. |
Flash | Fire |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3. | 13.0 | 12.3 | .7808 | 49.3 | 1.4286 | 31° C. 88° F. |
41° C. 106° F. |
7 | 9.9 | 9.1 | .7795 | 49.6 | 1.4262 | 25° C. 77° F. |
27° C. 81° F. |
2 | 11.1 | 10.5 | .7817 | 49.1 | 1.4299 | 28° C .82° F. |
40° C. 104° F. |
10 | 6.7 | 6.2 | .7823 | 49.0 | 1.4293 | 28° C. 82° F. |
37° C. 99° F. |
4 | 13.4 | 12.2 | .7690 | 52.1 | 1.4218 | 30° C. 86° F. |
33° C. 92° F. |
5 | 13.1 | 12.4 | .7675 | 52.4 | 1.4171 | 24° C. 75° F. |
28° C. 82° F. |
1 | 160 | 15.2 | .7641 | 53.3 | 1.4280 | 30° C. 86° F. |
40° C. 104° F. |
9 | 70 | 6.4 | .7765 | 50.3 | 1.4265 | 31° C. 88° F. |
48° C. 118° F. |
8 | 13.9 | 13.0 | .7775 | 50.1 | 1.4240 | 26° C. 79° F. |
31° C. 88° F. |
15 | 7.1 | 6.3 | .7807 | 49.3 | 1.4284 | 36° C. 87° F. |
43° C. 109° F. |
6 | 13.5 | 12.4 | .7730 | 51.1 | 1.4260 | 28° C. 82° F. |
31° C. 88° F. |
12 | 7.3 | 6.6 | .7696 | 51.9 | 1.4241 | 30° C. 86° F. |
33° C. 92° F. |
13 | 9.8 | 8.7 | .7747 | 50.7 | 1.4259 | 26° C. 79° F. |
29° C. 84° F. |
16 | 7.5 | 6.6 | .7665 | 53.0 | 1.4275 | 32° C. 90° F. |
36° C. 97° F. |
11 | 7.9 | 7.0 | .7804 | 49.4 | 1.4270 | 29° C. 84° F. |
32° C. 90° F. |
17 | 7.0 | 6.4 | .7725 | 52.2 | 1.4180 | ||
14 | 9.4 | 8.2 | .7773 | 50.1 | 1.4410 | 24° C. 75° F. |
27° C. 81° F. |
19 | 8.5 | 7.4 | .7740 | 50.9 | 1.4210 | 26° C. 79° F. |
31° C. 88° F. |
21 | 6.0 | 5.2 | .7765 | 50.3 | 1.4391 | ||
22 | 5.2 | 4.4 | .7764 | 50.3 | 1.4298 | 24° C. 75° F. |
28° C. 72° F. |
18 | 9.3 | 8.2 | .7768 | 52.1 | 1.4280 | 27° C. 81° F. |
30° C. 86° F. |
20 | 6.0 | 5.7 | .7862 | 48.1 | 1.4315 |
Table 8—Fractionation of Kansas Petroleums
200° C. (392° F.) to 250° C. (482° F.).
Lab No. | Percent by volume |
Percent by weight |
Specific gravity, 15° C. |
Baumé, 59° F. |
Refractive index 25° C. |
Flash | Fire |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 11.0 | 10.8 | .8151 | 41.7 | 1.4477 | 82° C. 180° F. |
91° C. 196° F. |
7 | 10.5 | 10.1 | .8117 | 42.5 | 1.4443 | 64° C. 147° F. |
69° C. 156° F. |
2 | 16.8 | 16.3 | .8071 | 43.6 | 1.4446 | 75° C. 167° F. |
78° C. 172° F. |
10 | 12.4 | 11.8 | .8137 | 42.1 | 1.4461 | 50° C. 122° F. |
62° C. 144° F. |
4 | 12.7 | 12.1 | .8025 | 44.4 | 1.4398 | 61° C. 142° F. |
67° C. 153° F. |
5 | 13.3 | 13.1 | .8285 | 39.0 | 1.4415 | 70° C. 158° F. |
75° C. 167° F. |
1 | 8.4 | 8.4 | .8176 | 41.3 | 1.4470 | 82° C. 180° F. |
88° C. 190° F. |
9 | 13.5 | 12.9 | .8120 | 42.4 | 1.4461 | 76° C. 169° F. |
84° C. 183° F. |
8 | 11.1 | 11.0 | .8059 | 43.7 | 1.4445 | 73° C. 163° F. |
81° C. 178° F. |
15 | 9.2 | 8.5 | .8150 | 41. 8 | 1.4461 | 72° C. 162° F. |
89° C. 192° F. |
6 | 14.1 | 13.6 | .8089 | 43.1 | 1.4451 | 73° C. 163° F. |
82° C. 180° F. |
12 | 10.3 | 9.7 | .8039 | 44.2 | 1 4428 | 60° C. 140° F. |
66° C. 151° F. |
13 | 9.2 | 8.5 | .8078 | 43.3 | 1. 4441 | 67° C. 153° F. |
72° C. 162° F. |
16 | 9.3 | 8.5 | .8076 | 43.4 | 1.4437 | 60° C. 140° F. |
67° C. 153° F. |
11 | 10.1 | 9.4 | .8114 | 42.5 | 1 4443 | 65° C. 149° F. |
71° C. 160° F. |
17 | 13.3 | 12.5 | .8118 | 42.4 | 1.4432 | ||
14 | 7.8 | 7.0 | .8064 | 43.6 | 1.4579 | 62° C. 144° F. |
69° C. 156° F. |
19 | 8.0 | 7.2 | .7988 | 45.3 | 1.4378 | 63° C. 146° F. |
67° C. 153° F. |
21a | 6.7 | 5.9 | .8103 | 42.8 | 1. 4581 | ||
22 | 8.5 | 8.0 | .8163 | 41. 5 | 1.4495 | 68° C. 154° F. |
71° C. 160° F. |
18 | 12.5 | 11.8 | .8114 | 42.5 | 1. 4463 | 62° C. 144° F. |
68° C. 154° F. |
20. | 13.0 | 12.2 | .7923 | 46.7 | 1.4488 | ||
a Showed evidence of cracking. |
Table 9—Fractionation of Kansas petroleums.
250° C. (482° F.) to 300° C. (572° F.).
Lab No. | Percent by volume |
Percent by weight |
Specific gravity, 15° C. |
Baumé, 59° F. |
Refractive index 25° C. |
Flash | Fire |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 17.8 | 17.6 | .8434 | 36.6 | 1.4648 | 102° C. 216° F. |
127° C. 260° F. |
7 | 9.5 | 9.5 | .8372 | 37.2 | 1.4590 | 104° C. 219° F. |
110° C. 230° F. |
2 | 13.0 | 13.0 | .8455 | 35.6 | 1. 4667 | 92° C. 198° F. |
114° C. 237° F. |
10 | 10.1 | 10.1 | .8424 | 36.2 | 1. 4627 | 115° C. 239° F. |
122° C. 252° F. |
4 | 11.1 | 11.1 | .8280 | 39.0 | 1. 4545 | 92° C. 198° F. |
99° C. 210° F. |
5 | 14.3 | 14.3 | .8380 | 37.1 | 1.4575 | 101° C. 214° F. |
112° C. 234° F. |
1 | 15.3 | 15.3 | .8396 | 36.8 | 1. 4620 | 113° C. 235° F. |
122° C. 251° F. |
9 | 16.3 | 16.0 | .8400 | 36.7 | 1. 4635 | 107° C. 225° F. |
121° C. 250° F. |
8 | 18.2 | 18.0 | .8433 | 36.0 | 1.4629 | 85° C. 185° F. |
100° C. 212° F. |
15 | 12.5 | 11.9 | .8395 | 36.7 | 1.4608 | 81° C. 178° F. |
103° C. 217° F. |
6 | 17.8 | 17.2 | .8371 | 37.2 | 1.4620 | 90° C. 194° F. |
103° C. 217° F. |
12 | 11.7 | 11.5 | .8333 | 37.9 | 1.4590 | 96° C. 205° F. |
102° C. 216° F. |
13 | 11.1 | 10.7 | .8369 | 37.3 | 1. 4594 | 91° C. 196° F. |
103° C. 217° F. |
16 | 12.5 | 11.8 | .8379 | 37.1 | 1.4603 | 94° C. 201° F. |
103° C. 217° F |
11 | 10.6 | 10.1 | .8425 | 36.2 | 1.4611 | 93° C. 200° F. |
102° C. 216° F. |
17 | 12.6 | 12.6 | .8480 | 35.1 | 1.4609 | ||
14 | 10.8 | 10.1 | .8346 | 37.7 | 1.4720 | 88° C. 190° F. |
96° C. 205° F. |
19 | 12.8 | 11.7 | .8307 | 38.5 | 1. 4531 | 97° C. 207° F. |
96° C. 205° F. |
21 | 7.6a | 6.9 | .8342 | 37.8 | 1.4715 | ||
22 | 9.0 | 8.9 | .8453 | 35.6 | 1.4651 | 112° C. 234° F. |
119° C. 246° F. |
18 | 13.4 | 12.8 | .8321 | 38.2 | 1.4622 | 92° C. 198° F. |
103° C. 217° F. |
20 | 9.5 | 9.2 | .8484 | 35.0 | 1.4622 | ||
a Showed evidence of cracking. |
Table 10—Fractionation of Kansas petroleums, percent b,y weight.
Lab. No. | Water | Residue | Loss on distillation |
---|---|---|---|
3 | Trace | 37.1 | 1.4 |
7 | Trace | 49.5 | 1.3 |
2 | Trace | 41.3 | 0.9 |
10 | Trace | 53.7 | 1.0 |
4 | .7 | 47.8 | 0.1 |
5 | 1.3 | 40.7 | 2.9 |
1 | Trace | 45.4 | 0.6 |
9 | 2.4 | 47.1 | 1.0 |
8 | Trace | 41.7 | 2.1 |
15 | 7.2 | 51.9 | 0.0 |
6 | .1 | 42.8 | 0.6 |
12 | 4.6 | 53.7 | 1.1 |
13 | Trace | 60.0 | 0.3 |
16 | 4.0 | 54.8 | 3.5 |
11 | Trace | 61.7 | 1.6 |
17 | .6 | 57.1 | 1.7 |
14 | .8 | 63.9 | 1.7 |
19 | 1.9 | 61.3 | 2.7 |
21 | .8 | 70.5 | 3.4 |
22 | .8 | 66.9 | 3.7 |
18 | Trace | 60.5 | 0.3 |
20 | .9 | 65.0 | 1.5 |
Determinations of nitrogen, asphaltene and formolit number were restricted to five samples which came from as many different fields.
Table 11—Nitrogen, asphaltene and formolit from Kansas petroleums.
Lab No. | Nitrogen, percent by weight |
Asphaltene, percent by weight |
Formolit No. |
---|---|---|---|
2 | .08 | 1.99 | 12.6 |
3 | .08 | 0.77 | 19.5 |
6 | .08 | 0.88 | 12.7 |
12 | .08 | 1.71 | 14.6 |
19 | .09 | 0.61 | 25.3 |
Table 12—Percent of gasoline by volume from Kansas petroleums, based on two standards.
Lab No. | To 150° C. (302° F.) percent by volume |
To 200° C. (392° F.) percent by volume |
---|---|---|
3 | 23.9 | 36.9 |
7 | 23.5 | 33.4 |
2 | 20.8 | 31.9 |
10 | 20.3 | 27.0 |
4 | 18.8 | 32.2 |
5 | 17.7 | 30.8 |
1 | 17.5 | 33.5 |
9 | 17.5 | 24.5 |
8 | 16.7 | 30.6 |
15 | 15.4 | 22.5 |
6 | 15.3 | 28.8 |
12 | 15.3 | 22.6 |
13 | 13.6 | 23.4 |
16 | 12.8 | 20.3 |
11 | 12.4 | 20.3 |
17 | 10.5. | 17.5 |
14 | 10.5 | 19.9 |
19 | 9.4 | 17.9 |
21 | 8.8 | 14.8 |
22 | 8.7 | 13.9 |
18 | 7.4 | 16.7 |
20 | 6.5 | 12.5 |
Following the completion of the foregoing analyses and tabulations, a sample from the famous Trapshooter well No. 2 (Sec. 11, T. 26 S., R. 4 E.), Butler county, was received and examined (sample secured by Dr. W. P. Haynes, State Geological Survey of Kansas). Its characteristics are given below. This well was one of the largest producers in the state, having begun production in June, 1917, with an estimated daily flow of 20,000 barrels.
Properties of crude petroleum from Trapshooter well No. 2, Butler county | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Specific Gravity, 15° C. | Baumé, 59° F. |
Began to distil |
Residue and loss |
Water |
.8516 | 34.4 | 153° F. | 70.2 | None |
Fractionation of petroleum from Trapshooter well No. 2, Butler county | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temperature | Percent by volume |
Percent by weight |
Specific gravity, 15° C. |
Baumé, 59° F. |
To 150° C. (302° F.) | 6.0 | 5.1 | .7243 | 63.0 |
150° C. (302° F.) to 200° C. (392° F.) | 13.5 | 12.0 | .7576 | 54.8 |
200° C. (392° F.) to 250° C. (482° F.) | 13.5 | 12.7 | .7959 | 45.9 |
Table 13—Comparison of Kansas petroleums with those of other states.
State | No. of samples |
Specific gravity | Gasoline to 150° C. percent by volume |
Sulphur, percent by weight |
Paraffin, percent by weight |
Asphalt, percent by weight |
Unsaturated in crudes, percent by volume |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | |||
Kansas: | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
Bushong, 1908(a) | 18 | .9340 | .8378 | 17.2 | 0.0 | .76 | 27 | ||||||
![]() |
U. S. Geological Survey, 1913(b) | 38 | .8895 | .8350 | 19.8 | 1.0 | 7.92 | 1.21 | 3.20 | 0.8 | 50.0 | 12.4 | ||
![]() |
Present Investigation, 1917. | 22 | .9027 | .8190 | 23.9 | 5.5 | .42 | .08 | 2.67 | 1.06 | 1.99 | 0.61 | 32.0 | 8.0 |
California(c) | 287 | .9745 | .8875 | 2.0 | 3.55 | .34 | 59.1 | 32.2 | ||||||
Colorado(d) | 6 | .8997 | .8092 | 28.0 | 1.0 | 27.23 | 9.23 | |||||||
Illinois | 47 | .9236 | .8260 | 23.0 | 1.0 | .73 | .10 | 5.48 | 1.96 | 5.04 | .38 | |||
Indiana | 5 | .9371 | 8500 | 17.4 | 7.2 | 1.26 | .72 | 47.0 | 2.9 | |||||
Kentucky | 18 | .9021 | .8083 | 27.0 | 1.0 | 5.49 | 2.13 | 2.66 | 63.0 | 2.0 | ||||
Louisiana | 21 | .9669 | .8065 | 15.0 | 0.57 | 1.05 | 7.78 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 6.8 | ||||
Michigan | 2 | .8333 | .8065 | 15.0 | .78 | |||||||||
Missouri | 1 | 10.0 | 8.0 | |||||||||||
New Mexico | 4 | .9186 | .8951 | 1.0 | Trace | 3.91 | 28.4 | 20.0 | ||||||
Ohio | 36 | .8500 | .7739 | 29.65 | 4.0 | 11.24 | 2.23 | 22.8 | 2.8 | |||||
Oklahoma | 77 | .8844 | .7887 | 22.0 | Trace | 12.45 | 1.24 | 4.01 | 57.2 | 10.0 | ||||
Pennsylvania | 7 | .8861 | .7901 | 21.0 | 8.55 | .06 | ||||||||
Texas | 44 | .9708 | .8250 | 34.6e | O.1f | 2.40 | .94 | 7.02 | 20.0 | 66.8 | 12.8 | |||
Utah | 12 | .9511 | .8202 | 12.0 | 1.38 | .18 | 29.4 | 3.4 | 5.9 | 0.49 | 21.2 | 14.4 | ||
West Virginia | 62 | .8895 | .7684 | 24.5 | 1.0 | 9.73 | Trace | 32.8 | ||||||
Wyoming | 58 | .9960 | .7821 | 28.0 | .66 | 8.0 | 15.26 | 58.0 | 8.4 | |||||
a Loc. cit. b Loc. cit. c U. S. Buteau of Mines, Technical Paper 74. d Data for Colorado and other states digested from Mineral Resources of the U. S., part II, 1913. e to 140° C. f to 160° C. |
Table 14—Showing the relative heating values of various representative fuel oils. (Johnson & Huntley, Principles of Oil and Gas Production, p. 7, 1916.)
Crude petroleum | British thermal units |
---|---|
Average six samples Cushing crude | 19,755 |
Average five samples Boston pool, Oklahoma 19,661 | |
Average of crudes from thirty Oklahoma pools | 19,567 |
Pennsylvania heavy crude | 20,736 |
Caucasian light | 22,027 |
Caucasian heavy | 20,138 |
Petroleum refuse | 19,832 |
Average fuel oil | 18,900 |
Mexican fuel oil (Panuco?) | 18,000 |
California fuel oil | 18,630 |
Gulf coast fuel oil | 19,028 |
Caddo, Louisiana | 19,163 |
Lima-Indiana field | 18,900 |
Austrian and Russian petroleum residues | 18,900 |
Kansas Crudes, 1917 | 19,250-19,880 |
What is Gasoline?
A question often asked by the consumer, and one that should be answered soon, either by national authority or by common agreement of all concerned, is, What is gasoline?
The answering of this question fifteen or more years ago merely involved a simple statement concerning which there was little reason for debate. Kerosene was then the product most desired, and though at that time, and since, there has existed considerable looseness, or elasticity, regarding the definition of gasoline, the lesser demand for this product was not sufficient to create controversy regarding its specifications. It may be of interest to quote here some definitions which have appeared in the literature of the subject at various times. [Note: B. P., boiling point; Sp. Gr., specific gravity; Be., Baumé.]
- 1896. Redwood Boverton, Petroleum and its Products, vol. I, p. 203.
- Gasoline: "B. P. 70°-80° C. (158°-176° F.); Sp. Gr. .640-.667 (89-80 Be.)"
- 1912. Norris, Principles of Organic Chemistry, p. 41.
- "Gasoline is the name given to a product which contains the hydrocarbons found in naphtha, benzine and ligroin."
- 1912. Allen, Commercial Organic Analysis, vol. 3, p. 111.
- Gasoline: Sp. Gr. .622-.666 (95-80 Be.).
- 1912. Sadtler, Industrial Organic Chemistry, p. 31.
- Gasoline: B. P. 70°-80° C. (158°-176° F.); Sp. Gr. .660-.690 (80-75 Be.).
- 1913. Martin, Industrial Chemistry, Organic, p. 8.
- Gasoline (petroleum ether, solene): B. P. 40°-70° C. (104°-158° F.); Sp. Gr. .64-.65 (89-85 Be.).
- 1913. Southcombe, Chemistry of the Oil Industries, p. 56.
- "Motor spirit, or light benzine, varies in gravity from .650 to .720 and distils completely between 30° and 120° C. (860-248° F.) to 140° C. (284° F.).
- 1916. Holde, Examination of Hydrocarbon Oils, p. 51.
- German Specifications: "The material must have been obtained by fractional distillation and should be free from water and all substances likely to injure the motors. Filter paper moistened with the naphtha should not show spots or give a persisting odor. Running through a sieve should not separate the naphtha into fine drops. It should be of uniform composition, not a mixture of high- and low-boiling products. Light naphtha should distill 80 percent under 100°, all under 130°; heavy naphtha, 50 percent under 100° C. (212° F.), all under 130° C. (266° F.); heavy naphtha, 50 percent under 100° C. (212° F.), all under 140° C. (284° F.). The naphtha must be carefully purified, have no color and only a faint odor. Naphtha for passenger service should have a specific gravity of 0.70 (70° B.) to 0.72 (64° B.) at 15° (59° F.); for commercial trucks, 0.720 (64° B.) to 0.750 (56° B.).
- 1916. Bacon and Hamor, American Petroleum Industry, vol. I, p. 124.
- "The fraction between the initial boiling point and 150° C. (302° F.) constitutes the gasoline fraction."
However, conditions at the present time as regards gasoline are decidedly different from those of a few years ago. The passing years have witnessed an enormous growth in the production and use of the motor car, with a corresponding demand for the propulsive agent, gasoline. This demand has now reached a point where the rate of production of motor cars is surpassing the rate of production of the necessary fuel. As the demand for motor fuel has increased it has been found necessary to evolve new methods of production, such as are included under the "cracking" and "pressure distillation" processes; and in the ordinary distillation process it has seemed expedient to include in the gasoline fraction distillates which Were not formerly included. Furthermore, a considerable amount of gasoline has been obtained from casing-head gas by the compression and absorption methods. These newer methods of production have yielded gasolines possessing different properties from those formerly associated with the product, and this has led to an enlargement of the original conception of gasoline, with a consequent widening of the distillate and gravity limits.
These changes in the physical and chemical properties of motor fuel were destined to bring about dissatisfaction among those who were unaccustomed to their use, or whose motors were designed for distillates of different properties. On the other hand, when kept within those limits which have allowed the product to serve as a satisfactory combustion agent in the present-day type of motor, such changes have been fully justified, on a basis of economy and conservation.
An investigation which was made a few months ago by C. V. Bacon (1917, Petroleum Age, vol. 4, p. 2) on twenty different samples of gasoline which were produced at widely scattered points over the United States showed that there was a range in gravity (Baumé) from 52.4 to 84. The beginning point in distillation ranged from 81° F. to 142° F., except in the case of one sample, which began distillation at 203° F. The end point of distillation ranged from 334° F. to 475° F. The author states that while 203° F. is a little high in initial boiling point for use as automobile motor spirit, this material is very well adapted for use in stationary gas engines. As regards the other samples, in spite of the seemingly wide discrepancies, these fuels have "been satisfactorily used in internal-combustion engines, in automobiles or in trucks."
A report (1916, Petroleum Age, vol. 3, p. 10) presented at a recent meeting of the Independent Oil Men's Association proposed an end point for gasoline distillation from 380° to 400° F., which is equivalent to 205° C. The Bureau of Mines has suggested a dry point (end of distillation) at 220° C. (428° F.).
Dr. C. F. Mabery (1916, Petroleum Age, vol. 4, p. 3.), a noted petroleum technologist whose opinion on this subject should carry weight, suggests that a dry point of 250° C. (482° F.) is not too high, and it may be even higher.
In the absence of national regulations for gasoline quality, many states have attempted individually to establish legal standards for motor fuel offered for sale within their boundaries. This action is analogous with that of former years when it became necessary to establish regulations regarding the sale of kerosene. Unfortunately, there is a lack of agreement between these state laws and there seems to exist now a real need for coordination and standardization. The federal government in its enactment of the pure food and drug law has set a national precedent in the regulation of these products which might be appropriately followed by similar regulations regarding a product so widely used as gasoline. The user is entitled to a fuel which burns satisfactorily in his motor; the refiner is entitled to encouragement in his efforts at increased production and he should be protected from possible specifications which may be too exacting. That these viewpoints are not irreconcilable is shown by the present great production and consumption of motor fuel.
In general it may be said that an ideal gasoline for motor cars should have an initial distillation point that is low enough to allow of easy starting of the motor under different climatic conditions, and a final distillation point (dry point) that is not so high as to cause excessive carbon deposition. The range of intermediate distillates should present an unbroken chain of boiling points, and if these temperatures be plotted against the corresponding percentages the result should be a smooth curve.
The law governing the sale of gasoline in Kansas is given below.
State Oil-Inspection Law for Kansas
(Chapter 245, Laws of 1917.)
Sec. 6. In testing by said inspector or his deputies of all kerosene oils for illuminating purposes they shall reject all such oil as will emit combustive vapor at a temperature of less than 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The oil tester known as "the Foster automatic cup" shall be used in the making of these tests, and the oil shall not be heated faster than two degrees per minute. All kerosene oils for illuminating purposes shall not show a lower flash point than the 110 degrees Fahrenheit above mentioned. All gasoline that is used for heating, illuminating and power purposes shall be tested and graded, and all said gasoline used for heating, illuminating and power purposes shall he subjected to the following test: Said gasoline shall be of water-white color, sweet and free from obnoxious odors, and shall be weighed by hydrometer of Tagliabues, or some other standard and reliable weight of hydrometer (the temperature at time of test 60 degrees Fahrenheit). All gasoline graded and tested offered for sale in Kansas shall not be heavier than 58 degrees Baumé, at 60 degrees temperature : and shall show by it fractional distillation test an initial boiling point not to exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and an end point (or dry point) of not more than 410 degrees Fahrenheit, with no gaps, and all gasoline or fluid sold as such not meeting with the test above prescribed shall be known and sold as "gasoline under-test."
Sec. 7. All benzine shall have a gravity of not less than 43.5 Baumé gravity, and it shall be unlawful for any dealer, vendor or refiner to sell or offer for sale any kerosene, gasoline or benzine which does not comply with the test specified in this act, and any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) and not more than five hundred ($500) for each and every offense.
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Kansas Geological Survey, Geology
Placed on web Aug. 10, 2018; originally published 1917.
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