XX. On new compounds of carbon and hydrogen, and on certain other products obtained during the decomposition of oil by heat

Abstract

The object of the paper which I have the honour of sub­mitting at this time to the attention of the Royal Society, is to describe particularly two new compounds of carbon and hydrogen, and generally, other products obtained during the decomposition of oil by heat. My attention was first called to the substances formed in oil at moderate and at high temperatures, in the year 1820; and since then I have endea­voured to lay hold of every opportunity for obtaining information on the subject. A particularly favourable one has been afforded me lately through the kindness of Mr. Gordon, who has furnished me with considerable quantities of a fluid obtained during the compression of oil gas, of which I had some years since possessed small portions, sufficient to excite great interest, but not to satisfy it. It is now generally known, that in the operations of the Portable Gas Company, when the oil gas used is compressed in the vessels, a fluid is deposited, which may be drawn off and preserved in the liquid state., The pressure applied amounts to 30 atmospheres; and in the operation, the gas previously contained in a gasometer over water, first passes into a large strong receiver, and from it, by pipes, into the portable vessels. It is in the receiver that the condensation principally takes place; and it is from that vessel that the liquid I have worked with has been taken. The fluid is drawn off at the bottom by opening a conical valve: at first a portion of water generally comes out, and then the liquid. It effervesces as it issues forth; and by the difference of re-­fractive power it may be seen, that a dense transparent vapour is descending through the air from the aperture. The effervescence immediately ceases; and the liquid may be readily retained in ordinary stoppered, or even corked bottles; a thin phial being sufficiently strong to confine it. I understand that 1000 cubical feet of good gas yield nearly one gallon of the fluid.