THE NEW YORK JOURNAL OF PHARMACY 



are difficult to determine b}- analysis, and 

 are not especially important for our pur- 

 pose. Petroleum in its natural form is 

 crude oil. By the process of refining 

 which practically consists of boiling, con- 

 densing, and separating the vapors, it 

 may be divided into a number of liquids 

 varying considerably in physical charac- 

 teristics. To go into detail, crude oil is 

 first subjected to a moderate temperature^ 

 the resulting vapors condensed and 

 drawn off, the temperature is increased 

 producing more vapors, which are treat- 

 ed similarly, and so on. By careful 

 regulation of the temperature and its 

 duration, it is possible to produce an al- 

 most infinite variety of products varying 

 in volatility, specific gravity, fluidity, and 

 color. All the distillates of petroleum 

 produced at a temperature below 340° F 

 have a flashpoint below ordinary atmos- 

 pheric temperature, and are classed as 

 gasoline, benzine, naptha, etc. ; that is 

 to say, at ordinary temperatures these 

 licjuids are so volatile that they give oft 

 gases which will ignite or flash if a flame 

 is half over the liquid. 



E-efore the discovery of the internal 

 combustion engine, these products, being 

 too inflammable to use in ordinary lamps 

 and stoves, were hard to dispose of, and 

 the quantity distilled was kept as small 

 as possible. Laws were finally passed 

 specifying the flash-points of kerosent 

 and burning oils. The numerous explo- 

 sions of oil lamps and stoves showed that 

 the refiners were leaving- too much of the 

 gasoline group of liquids for the next 

 distillation. A number of different 

 grades were produced under this general 

 head to meet the requirements of various 

 trades as closely as possible, and encour- 

 age the demand. Not many years age 

 the gasoHne group were regarded as very 



objectionable as well as a dangerous by- 

 product. To-day the enormous increase 

 in the number of small motors using 

 gasoline has provided a ready market foi 

 what was almost a waste product. To 

 supply the demand, the oil refiners have 

 been forced to discontinue some of the 

 more volatile grades, that the whole of 

 <"he gasoline group ^lay be volatile enough 

 for satisfactory vaporization in these 

 motors. One product was particularly 

 popular known as "Pratt's Deodorized 

 86° Naptha," which was used for two 

 cycle motors in cold weather. A few 

 years ago 76° gasoline could be obtained 

 at any garage. While both are still pro- 

 duced, it is doubtful if they can be read- 

 ily secured in most localities, and the 

 fact must be remembered that they are 

 no longer necessary to satisfactory oper- 

 ation. 



After having considered the physical 

 and chemical properties of the various 

 fuels, there are a few questions on which 

 the argument for crude oil depends. Car; 

 the supply of gasoline keep pace with the 

 demand? We do not think so. since the 

 rising price shows us that the supply is 

 becoming less in proportion to the de- 

 mand. What are we going to do? Find 

 a suitable substitute. What, for in 

 stance? Crude oil or kerosene. Car. 

 perfect carburetion be secured with both 

 of these? Yes, with crude oil, and no. 

 with kerosene. Is crude oil less expen- 

 sive in operation? Can crude oil be 

 easily and cheaply produced? 



The demand for gasoline is increasing 

 from year to year, while the supply re- 

 mains about the same. It is evident thai 

 some substitute fuel for internal combus- 

 tion engines is needed in order to meet 

 the demands on gasoline. With 700,00c 

 automobiles and motor trucks now in use 



