Coal oil
Coal oil is a
Chemically similar to the more refined,
Because kerosene was first derived from cannel coal, classified as terrestrial type of
Refined hydrocarbons of the alkane series with 10 to 16 carbon atoms are the same thing whether taken from coal or petroleum.History
The term was in use by the late 18th century for oil produced as a by-product of the production of coal gas and coal tar.[6] In the early 19th century, it was discovered that coal oil distilled from cannel coal could be used in lamps as an illuminant, although the early coal oil burned with a smokey flame, so that it was used only for outdoor lamps; cleaner-burning whale oil was used in indoor lamps.[7]
Coal oil that burned cleanly enough to compete with whale oil as an indoor illuminant was first produced in 1850 on the
In Addiewell, West Lothian, Young built a substantial industrial complex for separating petroleum from various oil shales, including cannel coal. In its time it was one of the largest chemical works in Scotland. Construction began in 1866. Addiewell remained the centre of operations for Young's Paraffin Light and Mineral Oil Co. Ltd., but as local supplies of bituminous shale became exhausted, activities were increasingly focussed on other shale-fields. The refinery closed around 1921.
In the United States, coal oil was widely manufactured in the 1850s under the trade name Kerosene, manufactured by a process invented by Canadian geologist
Uses
Lighting
Coal oil was used to provide lighting.[8][9]
Medicinal use
Coal oil was once used as an internal and topical home remedy as a general cure-all for many ailments, including coughs, flu, cuts, abrasions, and wounds. Internal applications were administered by adding the toxic petroleum product to sugar cubes, molasses, honey or some other substance to mask the taste, while topical applications were applied by adding it to bandages or by pouring the coal oil directly on the affected area.[10]
"Pale sulfonated shale oil" (PSSO), a sulfonated and ammonia neutralized variant named "Ichthammol" (chemical: Ammonium bituminosulfonate) is still in application today.[11]
Culinary use of the term
The term "coal oil" is sometimes used in the context of food; it is not mineral coal oil as discussed in this article, but edible vegetable oil infused with wood-derived charcoal for flavour.[12]
See also
- Coal tar
- Patent medicine
- Abraham Pineo Gesner, produced kerosene from coal, 1846
- Shale oil extraction
References
- ^
Ed Butts (2019-10-04). "The cautionary tale of whale oil". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 2019-10-06. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
This pioneering form of fossil fuel, which some called coal oil, burned cleaner and brighter than whale oil, and didn't have a pungent odour.
- ^ Dyni (2006), pp. 3–4
- ^ Evelyn Richardson (20 October 2009). "Here and There: Call It Coal oil or kerosene, Fuel Still Has Its Uses". Logan County (Kentucky) News-Democrat & Leader. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ^ Maris, Clarence (1921). "Lesson 4, The Coal Oil or Kerosene Lamp.". Dangers and chemistry of fire, for grammar schools. Columbus, Ohio: The F.J. Heer Printing Company. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-7884-2500-4. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ^ Account of the qualities and uses of coal tar and coal varnish, Scots Magazine, May 1784, v.46 p.240-242.
- ^ Frederick Accum, Description of the Process of Manufacturing Coal Gas, 2nd ed. (London: Thomas Boys, 1820) 301.
- ^ N.Y.), James M. Nichols (New York; Orr, John William; Club, Rushlight (2010). Illustrated Catalogue of Lamps, Brackets, Chandeliers & Fixtures, for Coal Oil, Railroad, Steamboat, and House Lanterns. Rushlight Club.
- ^ Wetherill, Charles Mayer (1860). On the relative cost of illumination in Lafayette, Ind. American gas-light journal.
- PMID 20745467.
- S2CID 7367995.
- ^ "Simon Rogan's Recipes- Mackerel in coal oil with vintage beetroot, Mustard & fennel" (PDF). Four Magazine. p. 2. Article describes how to make [char]coal oil,