1429
Cleveland Morning Leader, 25 January 1864
(16 inches)
~ See original
p.4, col.3
~ View at ChronAm
1429 - L. Jan. 25:4/3 - There are 20 oil refineries in Clevela.md employing
over 100 men. They consume 4,000 barrels of crude oil per week at a
market price of $28,000. They produce weekly 3,000 barrels of refined
oil and benzol, which has a government tax of $4 per barrel, yielding a
revenue of $624,000 a year. Crude oil is run into tanks, then piped in-
to a still and distilled. From this benzol first appears, then distil-
lates oil. The distillates are run into an agitator, where they are mixed
and stirred with sulphuric acid till they becume sweet. Finally they
are washed with water and alkalies, and placed in "bleachers" ready for
the market. (16)