730
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y . E F F E C T O F RATE O F HEATING T H E ORE.
Run No. 8, in which the kiln was heated to IOOOI I O O O C. nearly to the point where the ore entered, left us in some doubt whether the more open structure of the roasted ore was not produced b y the sudden heating. I t was thought that the complete sulphur elimination might have been made possible by the porosity thus produced. We compared the rate and completeness of sulphur removal from ore placed in a hot kiln a t 1000 and I I O O O C. with that from ore placed in the kiln when firing up. We found that the elimination of sulphur was most complete in the latter case, thus disproving the idea that sudden heating is necessary. Undoubtedly the rapid passage of hot gases causes the carbon dioxide elimination in the rotary kiln t o be very quickly accomplished. The sulphur elimination is initiated earlier and carried more evenly t o comdetion. PROGRESS O F DESULPHURIZATION
IN A
ROTARY K I L N .
By examining the curves plotted by us under the above title it will be observed that the rapid elimination of sulphur did not begin until the carbon dioxide had been practically all removed. I n runs Nos. 4 and 6, on account of the low temperatures, 7 0 per cent. of the kiln length was used in expelling carbon dioxide. In run No. 8 only 2 5 per cent., or 17'/~ feet, was thus used. This was due t o the higher and more even temperature. LEKGTH O F KILN.
The length of kiln which seems to be indicated for roasting this ore is one which will give a zone 30 feet long a t I I O O - I Z O O ~ C. preceded by one 20 feet long a t 900-11oo~C. There should be also a warding u p section of sufficient length to utilize the heat of the fuel. We do not think that a kiln less than 1 2 j feet will meet requirements. c 0 N c L U sI O N . The authors desire t o state that the rotary kiln test was participated in by several other engineers and chemists and that every one concerned should share in the credit for results accomplished. It is understood that the publication a t this time of names of persons and places is not permitted. PITTSBURGH TESTING LABORATORY, PITTSBURGH.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR T H E PURCHASE O F FUEL OIL FOR THE GOVERNMENT, W I T H DIRECTIONS FOR SAMPLING OIL AND NATURAL GAS.' B Y IRVING C. ALLEN.
Received September 20, 191.1. G E X E R A L STATEMEN?'.
Until within a few years fuels were generally bought solely on the statement of the seller. The consumer made little effort to find whether value was received for the price paid, but relied on the integrity of the dealer and the brand or trade name of the fuel. Recently, however, the plan of purchasing coal Published b y permission of Director Bureau ofjYines. Washington, D. C .
Oct., 1911
according t o specifications of quality, especially heating value, has gained favor. This plan has been adopted b y various bureaus of the Government and by many private corporations, and the total quantity of coal bought under such specifications now amounts t o millions of tons yearly. The .specifications in use differ in detail, but those t h a t are most precise provide for payment on the basis of the heating value and the ash, moisture, and sulphur content of the fuel as delivered. In consequence of the success that has attended the use of heating-value specifications in buying and selling coal there has arisen a demand for similar specifications, based on careful tests, to govern the purchase of fuel oils and the refined products of petroleum. These specifications, t o be satisfactory, should establish not only the heating value of the oil, and thus show, like the specifications for coal, the number of heat units the purchaser obtains for a given price per unit quantity of fuel, but also the physical character of the oil, its flash point and burning point, and the quantity of extraneous matter i t contains. I t is evident that an essential feature of any such plan of purchasing oil in bulk is an equitable method of sampling deiiveries-that is, a method that insures the taking of representative samples. The Bureau of Mines has received many inquiries from Government bureaus and from private concerns regarding fuel-oil specifications and the sampling of purchases. I n reply to these inquiries the bureau issues this paper, which, although intended primarily for the guidance of Government officials, may be of service, the bureau trusts, to all persons who buy or sell fuel oil. G E N E R.4 L S P E CI F I C AT1 0 N S . ( I ) In determining the award of a contract, consideration will be given t o the quality of the fuel offered by the bidders, as well as the price, and should it appear to be t o the best interest of the Government t o award a contract a t a higher price than that named in the lowest bid or bids received, the contract will be so awarded. (2) Fuel oil should be either a natural homogeneous oil or a homogeneous residue from a natural oil; if the latter, all constituents having a low flash point should have been removed by distillation; it should nbt be composed of a light oil and a heavy residue mixed in such proportions as t o give the density desired. (3) I t should not have been distilled a t a temperature high enough to burn it, nor a t a temperature so high that flecks of carbonaceous matter began t o separate. (4) I t should not flash below 60' C. (140' F.) in a closed Abel-Pensky or Pensky-Martens tester. ( 5 ) Its specific gravity should range from 0 . 8 5 t o 0.96 a t I 5 O C. (59O F.); the oil should be rejected if its specific gravity is above 0.97 a t that temperature. (6) I t should be mobile, free from solid or semisolid bodies, and should flow readily, a t ordinary atmospheric temperatures and under a head of I foot of oil, through a 4-inch pipe I O feet in length.
Oct.,
1911
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L AA'D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y .
( 7 ) I t should not congeal nor become too sluggish t o flow a t o o C. ( 3 2 ' F.). (8) I t should have a calorific value of not less than 10,000calories per gram1 (18,000 British thermal units per pound), 1o,2 j o calories t o be the standard. A bonus is to be paid or a penalty deducted according t o the method stated under Section 2 1 , as the fuel oil delivered is above or below this standard.2 (9) It should be rejected if it contains more than 2 per cent. water. ( I O ) It should be rejected if it contains more than I per cent. sulphur. ( 1 1 ) I t should not contain more than a trace of sand, clay, or dirt. ( 1 2 ) Each bidder must submit a n accurate statement regarding the fuel oil he proposes t o furnish. This statement should show: ( a ) The commercial name of the oil. ( b ) The name or designation of the field from which the oil is obtained. (6) Whether the oil is a crude oil, a refinery residue, or a distillate. ( d ) The name and location of the refinery, if the oil has been refined a t all. (13) The fuel oil is t o be delivered f . 0.b. cars or vessel, according t o the manner of shipment, a t such places, a t such times, and in such quantities as may be required, during the fiscal year ending (14) Should the contractor, for any reason, fail t o comply with a written order to make delivery, the Government is to be a t liberty to buy oil in the open market and charge against the contractor any excess of price, above the contract price, of the fuel oil so purchased. SAMPLING.
Deliveries of fuel oil will be sampled by a representative of the Government. T\7henever such action is practicable, the oil will be sampled as it is being delivered. The final sample will be made from samples taken from as Jarge a proportion of the delivery as practicable, in order that the final sample ' may truly represent the delivery. ( I 6 ) The final sample will be sealed and forwarded t o the Federal Bureau of Mines, Pittsburg, P a . , for analysis. ( 1 7 ) If the contractor so desires, permission will be given him, or his representative, t o witness the sampling of the delivery and the preparation of the final sample. (18) The final sample will be analyzed and tested immeditately after its receipt in Pittsburg. ( I 5)
C.\USES
FOR REJECTIOK.
(19) A contract entered into under the terms of these specifications shall not be binding if, as the reCalories X 1 .8 = British t h e r m a f u n i t s per pound. I t is important t h a t t h e standard fixed should not be higher t h a n can b e maintained under the terms of the contract, I n the absence of information a s t o the heating value of the oil, t h e Bureau of Mines will analyze samples taken f r o m the deliveries t o establish the standard heating value, expressed in calories or British thermal units. I t will be to the best interests of the contractor t o specify a fair standard for the fuel oil he offers, since failure to maintain t h a t standard will cause deduction from the contract price and possibly the cancellation of t h e contract, while deliveries of higher quality t h a n the standard will result in the contractor receiving premiums. 1
2
731
sult of a practical service test of reasonable duration, the fuel oil fails to give satisfactory results. ( 2 0 ) I t is understood t h a t the fuel oil delivered during the terms of the contract shall be of the quality specified. The frequent or continued failure of the contractor t o deliver oil of the specified quality will be considered sufficient cause for the cancellation of the contract. PRICE A S D PAYMEKT.
Payment for deliveries will be made on the basis of the price named in the proposal for the fuel oil corrected for variations in heating value,I as shown b y analysis, above or below the standard fixed b y the contractor. This correction is a pro rata one and the price is to be determined by the following formulae. (21)
Delivered calories per gram (or B. t. u . per lb.) X contract price . Standard calories per gram (or B. t . u. per lb.) = price to be paid.
Water that accumulates in the receiving t&nk wil1 be drawn off and measured periodically. Proper deduction will be made by subtracting the weight of the water from the weight of the oil deliveries. DETERMINATION O F W E I G H T FROM VOLUME.
The' specifications given on the preceding pages provide for the purchase of fuel oil by weight. As such oil is frequently delivered b y volume, it is import a n t to note the temperature of a delivery and to allow for the expansion due t o this temperature when computing the weight of the delivery from the volume. From the volume of the oil a t the temperature of delivery, the volume a t standard temperature ( I j O C.) should be computed in the manner given below. The coefficient of expansion of ordinary fuel oil residues of asphaltic base is approximately 0.0006 per I O C. Hence if the temperature (No C.) of the delivery is above 15' C., then ( S o C. - 15' C.) X 0 . 0 0 0 6 = correction. This correction is t o be added t o the specific gravity a t No C. to give the standard specific gravity, t h a t a t I ~ C. O If the temperature (NO C.) of the oil delivered is below 15' C., the correction ( ( ~ j "C. - N o C,) X 0 . 0 0 0 6 ) is t o be subtracted from the specific gravity a t I j o C. Since a gallon of water a t a temperature of 15' C. weighs 8 . 3 3 1 6 pounds, the weight in pounds of a gallon of oil a t I j o C. is 8 . 3 3 1 6 times the specific gravity of the oil a t that temperature. Similarly, since a cubic foot of water a t I j ' C. weighs 6 2 , 3 4 2 5 pounds, the weight in pounds of a cubic foot of oil at 1 5 O C. is 6 2 . 3 4 2 j times its specific gravity a t that temperature. REPORTING ANALYSES O F F U E L OIL.
The following form is used b y the Bureau of Mines in 1 T h e value of a n oil a s fuel is i n proportion t o the total combxstible m a t t e r i t contains a s shown b y its heating value. This value may b e e x pressed in small calories per gram of B . t u. per pound Sulphur. moisture, a n d earthy m a t t e r lower the heating value of an oil and decrease t h e furnace capacity; they also m a y have a deleterious effect on boiler and furnace, and m a y impair the operation of burners.
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y .
732
reporting the results of a n analysis of a sample of fuel oil : DEPARTMENT O F T H E INTERIOR. BUREAU OF MINES.
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
....
191-.
SIR: I n reference t o the leum representing a temperature of
. . . . . . . . sample of fuel petro(Quantity.) . . . . . . . . of petroleum delivered a t (Quantity.) . . . C. by the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . as O
(Company delivering.)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . product, from the . . . . . . . . .* , (Crude, residue, or distillate.) (Lease.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to (Field or district.) (County.) (State.) the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,a t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . on (Department receiving.) (City.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .., I have the honor to report as fola
)
)
Oct., r g I I
is filled from the stream of oil. Similar samples are taken a t equal intervals of time from the beginning t o the end of the flow-a dozen or more dipperfuls in all. These samples are poured into a clean drum and well shaken. If the oil is heavy, the dipperfuls of oil may be poured into a clean pail and thoroughly stirred. For a complete analysis the final sample should contain a t least 4 liters (about I gallon). This sample should be poured into a clean can, soldered tight and forwarded to the laboratory. It is important that the dipper be filled with oil a t uniform intervals of time and that the dipper be always filled to the same level. The total quantity of oil taken should represent a definite quantity of oil delivered and the relation of the sample to the delivery should be always stated, for instance: “ I gallon sample representing I wagon-load of 2 0 barrels.” CONTINUOUS SAMPLING.
(Date of delivery.)
lows: ’ Specific gravity a t I 5 O C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Baum6 a t 59’ F . ) . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calorie per gram.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (B. t. u. per pound). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Water, percent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sulphur, per cent.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Earthy matter, sand, etc., per cent.. . . . . . . . . . Flash point, O C. (Abel-Pensky, or PenskyMartens, closed tester). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Burning point, O C. (same tester, opened). Remarks :
..
................................................
Instead of taking samples with a dipper, it may be more convenient to take a continuous Sample. This may be taken by allowing the oil to flow a t a constant and uninterrupted rate from a =;,-inch cock on the under side of the delivery pipe during the entire time of discharge. The continuous sample should be thoroughly mixed in a clean drum or pail. and a t least 4 liters (about I gallon) of it forwarded for analysis. A careful examination should be made for water, and if the first dipperful shows water this dipperful should be thrown into the receiving tank and not mixed with the sample for analysis. MIXED SAMPLES
The above information is for the use of the Government and the dealer or operator furnishing the oil. It is t o be considered confidential until i t is published by t h e United States Government.
Respectfully,
...................... Chief Clerk.
C&rtified:
.............. Petroleum Chemist. SAMPLING PETROLEUM OR FUEL OIL. GENERAL STATEMENT.
The accuracy of the sampling and, in turn, the value of the analysis must necessarily depend on the integrity, alertness, and ability of the person who does thc sampling. No matter how honest the sampler may be, if he lacks alertness and sampling ability, he may easily make errors that will vitiate all subsequent work and render the results of tests and analyses utterly misleading. A sampler must be always on the alert for sand, water, and foreign matter. He should note any circumstances that appear suspicious, and should submit a critical report on them, together with samples of the questioned oil. SAMPLING WAGON DELIVERIES. SAMPLING ++
WITH A D I P P E R .
Immediately after the oil begins t o flow from the wagon t o the receiving tank, a small dipper holding any definite quantity, say 0.5 liter (about I pint),
If the oil delivered during any definite period of time, say one month, be from the same source and of uniform quality (but only in case it is of uniform quality), it may suffice t o pour definite proportional quantities of the dipper and the continuous samples taken during this period into a tinned can or drum having a tight screw cap or bung. An iron drum should not be used, since even a clean iron surface will absorb sulphpr by long contact with a sulphurcontaining oil, and this sulphur will be lost to the analyst. At the end of the month a number of round, clean stones should be put into the drum ayd the drum should be rolled t o insure intimate mixing. Then 4 liters (about I gallon) of the gross sample should be taken for analysis. The drum should be drained, rinsed clean with gasoline, dried, and made ready for a second sampling. The all-important point is that the gross sample, whatever the manner of sampling, shall be made up of equivalent portions of oil taken a t regular intervals of time, so that the sample finally forwarded for analysis will truly rewesent. the entire shipment. SAMPLING A LARGE TANK O R RESERVOIR.
Water or earthy matter settles on standing. Hence, before a large stationary tank or reservoir is sampled the character of the contents a t the bottom should be ascertained b y dredging with a long-handled dipper, and the content of the dipper should be examined critically. If a considerable quantity of sedi-
.
Oct., 1911
T H E J O U R N A L OF 1NDLI;STRlAL A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y .
ment is brought up, i t should be cause for rejecting the oil. The sampling of a large stationary tank or reservoir of oil, particularly if the oil has stood so long t h a t i t has begun to stratify, or farm layers of different den. sity, may be done as follows: The sampler should procure a n ordinary iron pipe, or preferably a tinned tube, I inch in diameter and long enough t o reach from above the manhole, where he can grasp it, t o the bottom of the tank. The lower end of the pipe should be reamed out with a round file. A conical plug of cork, wood, or other suitable material should be fitted t o this end, and a strong, stiff wire, such as the ordinary telegraph wire, run through this plug and up through the pipe to a point where it can be grasped firmly b y t h e , sampler. A pull on the wire will close the bottom of the pipe, and a rap against the bottom of the tank will drive the plug home and make a n oil-tight seal or valve. To operate this sampling device, the sampler should remove the plug, allow i t t o drop some three inches below the bottom of the pipe, and let it hang there b y the wire extending above the pipe. Then holding the pipe, open a t top and bottom, in a vertical position, the sampler should allow i t t o sink slowly through the oil t o the bottom of the tank. He should do this slowly and with care, so t h a t the pipe will penetrate the oil without agitating it and will thus cut a representative core of oil from the surface t o the bottom. \\-hen the pipe touches the bottom, the sampler should draw u p the slack of the wire and pull the plug into place ; then he should strike the plug smart against the bottom of the tank, thereby driving i t home and sealing the pipe. He can then withdraw the pipe and pour the oil into the sampling can. If it seems desirable, he should “core” or “sample” a reservoir a t regularly spaced points, unite these samples, mix them thoroughly, and take 4 liters (about I gallon) of the gross sample for analysis. Instead of a pipe sampler, a bottle holding half a liter (about I pint) may be used. , It should be securely fastened to a long pole and have a loosely-fitted stopper tied t o a strong cord. The bottle, corked and empty, is immersed t o any desired point within the mass of oil, and the stopper is pulled out. The bottleful of oil is poured into a suitable receiving vessel, and the bottle, thoroughly drained, is made ready for a second filling. Bottlefuls of oil taken in this way h o n l points symmetrically placed throughout the mass of oil, will, if properly mixed, provide a n excellent gross sample from which t o take the 4-liter ( I gallon) s a m p k for analysis. SAMPLING A S I N G L E DRUM.
A single drum may be sampled with a glass tube. This tube, open a t both ends, should be grasped a t the top, held vertically, inserted in the drum without agitating the oil, and allowed t o cut its way slowly t o the bottom of the drum. The ,upper end should then be closed with the thumb or forefinger of the hand holding it, the tube withdrawn, and the oil on the outside wiped off with the fingers of the other
733
hand. The sample in the tube can then be transferred t o a small can, and forwarded for analysis. F O R W A R D I N G SAMPLES.
The sample should be forwarded in a glass bottle or carboy or in a tin can, preferably in the latter because less liable t o breakage. If a tin can is used the cap should be soldered tight. The can should not be filled completely; about a n eighth of a n inch of space should be left t o allow for possible expansion of the oil. The can should be sealed as soon as it is filled t o avoid loss b y volatilization of the lighter constituents of the sample. After the can has been filled and tightly soldered, i t should be wiped clean and carefully examined for pinholes or small leaks. All leaks should be soldered before the can is packed for shipment. The bottle or can should be carefully labeled. The following form of labe1,I used by the Bureau of Mines, should be placed on samples shipped t o the bureau: DEPARTMENT O F T H E INTERIOR. B U R E A U O F MINES.
Information to Accompany Each Sawzple of Fuel Petroleum Submitted for Analysis. -
______
Sample number, . . . . . . . Sampled b y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oil delivered t o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Department receiving.)
Place of delivery.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (City.)
(State.)
Quantity of oil delivered.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date of delivery.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Temperature of oil as delivered . . . . ’ C . . . . . . . . . . . . Name of contractor.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nature of oil.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Crude, residue, or distillate.)
If refined t o any degree, state name and location of refinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................................
Source of oil.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Lease.)
(Field or district.)
(County.)
(State.)
Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................................ ................................................
Date of forwarding sample.. ....................... Forwarded b y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . via. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Express or fast freight.)
(Transportation line.
................................................
>
........ ................................................
Date of receipt of sample b y Bureau of Mines.
Condition of sample when received b y Bureau of Mines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The label should be carefylly written with a hard lead pencil on a strong mailing tag, and this tag should be securely tied t o the can. The lead pencil should be pressed firmly against the tag so as t o indent its surface. An inscription thus written is legible even after the paper has beep wet with oil. Gummed labels should not be used; they are easily detached if slightly moistened, and may be lost. A 1
These labels will b e furnished on request.
\
734
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y .
duplicate copy of the record on the label should be mailed t o the engineer in charge, Bureau of Mines, Pittsburg, Pa. SAMPLING GAS FROM A WELL.
8
Since the gas associated with oil is an ideal fuel and illuminant, and the literature dealing with the composition of natural gas is scanty, a description of the method of sampling such gas for analysis is here given. For taking a sample of gas under pressure from an oil well a cloth funnel should be made b y folding and sewing any strong, closely woven cloth into the form of a cornucopia. The larger end of this funnel should be large enough to encompass the gas pipe from which the sample is t o be taken, The smaller end, or apex, of the funnel should be securely tied about one end of a flexible rubber tube I or n feet long and one-fourth t o one-half inch in diameter. If there is a gas jet a t the well, one end of the rubber tube may be attached directly t o the jet. A gas-sampling bottle should be procured, if practicable, from the Bureau of Mines, Pittsburg, Pa. If such a bottle is not a t hand, a I - or n-liter ( I - or 2 quart) bottle with a well-ground, tight-fitting glass stopper may be used. The bottle should be thoroughly cleansed and dried. A large perfume bottle or an acid bottle, such as may be obtained from a drug store, will usually answer. A glass stopper is essential, for a cork or rubber stopper may leak, even though it appears to be hermetically sealed with wax; moreover, a cork or rubber stopper may contaminate the gas. To collect a sample, the funnel should be tied firmly about the end of the gas pipe. The funnel and the rubber tube should then be thoroughly flushed with the gas t o rid them of air. The free end of the tube should go t o the bottom of the sample bottle. The bottle should be fastened bottom up and the gas allowed t o blow strongly into i t for a t least a quarter of a n hour t o insure complete expulsion of air. If the gas pressure is low, the gas should be allowed t o blow longer, or until it is certain t h a t all air has been expelled from the bottle. Meanwhile the stopper of the bottle should have been well greased with vaseline. While the gas is still blowing through the tube the tube should be slowly withdrawn. The stopper should be put in just as soon as the tube is withdrawn and should be turned firmly into place. Then the bottle should be turned u p and a spoonful of melted paraffin poured over the stopper. The stopper should be secured with elastic band. A strong tag should be tied t o the bottle by a stout cord. This tag should be labeled as follows: Gas Sample. Sampled b y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lease.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
......................
.......................
1911
The bottle should be packed securely in a box and forwarded t o the Bureau of Mines, Pittsburg, Pa. A duplicate copy of the label should be sent t o the same address. BUREAUO F
MINES,
DEPT O F
INTERIOR.
THE DETERMINATION OF TOTAL SULPHUR IN INDIA RUBBER. By
c. E.
TVATERS AND
J. B. 'PUTTLE.
Received August 7 . 1911.
What may still be described as the usual method for the determination of total sulphur in India rubber is the one first published b y Henriques.l The details of this method are too well known t o require description here. I n more recent years other methods have been advocated. Alexanders used sodium peroxide t o decompose the nitrogen peroxide addition-product of rubber. I n the same year, Eschh recommended the use of Eschka's mixture and procedure for the determination of sulphur in coal. He also stated that the sodium peroxide method gives good results. Wagner5 published a slight modification of the method of Henriques, stating that much sulphur is lost b y volatilization. He therefore made the nitric acid solution alkaline with sodium hydroxide, transferred to a nickel crucible, added sodium carbonate and then evaporated t o dryness. The oxidation was carried to completion by heating in a n air-bath. Pontio6fused with manganese peroxide and a mixture of sodium and potassium carbonates. The results were about 0.1per cent. lower than b y the method of Henriques. For the free sulphur7 he extracted with absolute alcohol, distilled off the solvent, oxidized with alkaline hydrogen peroxide, evaporated to dryness and fused in a silver crucible. A distinct departure from the usual methods is is due t o Hinrichsens who oxidizes electrolytically in the presence of concentrated or fuming nitric acid. Finally, Hubener8 devised a method intended t o exclude insoluble mineral sulphates. The sample is boiled in a flask with concentrated nitric acid for some time, most of the acid evaporated off on the steam-bath and the oxidation completed b y means of bromine and water. One of the present writers, having frequent occasion t o determine total sulphur in rubber, over a year ago made a number of comparative tests of different variations of the method of Henriques. The results obtained with two samples of rubber are given below (I-IV). In all cases 0.50 gram of rubber was taken. All fusions were made over a flame of gasoline-air gas. The results are given as percentages of sulphur. All reagents were tested, and no determinations have been omitted. I. Warmed hours in covered crucible with 2 5 cc. concentrated HNO,, allowed t o stand 36 hours, Published b y permission of the Director of the Bureau of Standards. 2. awgezu. Chem., 12, 902 (1899). 3 Gummi-Zto., 18, 729: Z . angew. Chem., 17, 1799 (1904). Chem.-Ztg., 28, 200 (1904). 6Gummi-Zfg..21, 5 5 2 : C. A , , 1, 1327 (1907). 6 Caoutchouc et Gufta-Percha, 6. 2751: Chem. Techm. R e ) . , 1909, 372. 7 I b i d . , 6 , 2194; C.A , , 2, 3412 (1908). 1
2
. . . Range. . . . . . . . . . Section. . . . . . . .Township District. . . . . . . . . .County Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... ............................
Oct.,
9
Chem.-Ztg.. 33, 735 (1909). Gummi-Zfg.,24, 213-4; Analyst, 36, 266-7 (1910).
