286 ANNALS NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



production and development are given to show the principles to be con- 

 sidered in dealing with the problems of refining. 



The impurities are, roughly stated, (1) acid in character, (2) albu- 

 minoids, (3) gums, (4) coloring matters, (5) metallic soaps, etc. The 

 character of the crude oil depends upon not only the kind and part of the 

 vegetable (wood, nut, seed, etc.) and animal (fish, whale, liver, etc.) 

 used, but the quality of the raw material at the time of expressage or 

 extl'action '(rusting, rotting, fermentation, sprouting, heating, etc.), the 

 method followed, the care exercised in the process, and the conditions to 

 M'hicli the oil is subjected prior to its refining. 



The general methods developed during the past 125 years are ex- 

 plained. These methods usually involve more or less chemical treatment 

 with heat and sedimentation. The latter is always time-consuming 

 and the sediment carried with it more or less of the desired refined oil. 

 Also oil remaining above the sediment acts as a solvent or menstruum for 

 coloring matter and colloidal material. 



The problem was to coagulate the sediment in such a manner that it 

 might be filtered out shortly after being produced and thus remove not 

 only the colloids, but much absorbed coloring matter, and then squeeze 

 the mass, thereby increasing the yield of refined oil. 



The problem was solved, after many thousands of trials, by adding an 

 organic absorbent (cellulose in various forms) along with a suitable 

 amount of caustic alkali solution, heating to the "break" and then add- 

 ing a dehydrating agent (soda ash or salt cake), which would and does 

 agglomerate the small particles and dehydrate the soap, followed by filter- 

 ing while hot. The oil flows from the filter brilliant and neutral. 



While the shrinkage in the process of refining usually follows the per- 

 centage of free fatty acid in the crude oil, this is not always the case. 

 Oils very high in acid frequently do not yield to the older processes for 

 refining, but in every case such oils have been successfully refined by the 

 method here given. 



The Section then adjourned. 



V. E. Levine, 



Secretary. 



SECTION OP BIOLOGY 



9 October, 1916 



Section met at 8 :15 p. m., Vice-President H. von W. Schulte presiding. 

 The following program was presented : 



