UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1880 [PAGE 110]

Caption: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1880
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108 thoroughly agitated, while the disc remains in its place, covering the mouth of the cylinder containing the kerosene. When the test is to be applied, the short cylinder is raised out of the oil the temperature noted, and then the thermometer and short cylinder, and with them the disc, are removed with one hand, while with the other a small gas jet is immediately passed into the open rnouth of the cylinder containing the kerosene. If no flash occurs, the parts removed are replaced, and the tests repeated when the temperature has risen one or two degrees more. In order to test the instrument, four experiments were made with an oil of unknown flashing point, with the following results:

Flashing point. First experiment... Second experiment Third experiment... Fourth experiment. 95 Degrees. 96 96 95

Being interested to know in how far the various brands of kerosene sold in this community met the requirements of the law, I procured from dealers in Champaign specimens of the brands sold in this market. The following table gives the flashing points claimed by the refiners and dealers, as well as the true flashing point, as determined by the tester jusfc described:

Kind of oil. B r a n d No. " *• " " " " 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Claimed flashing point. 150 d e g r e e s . 150 150 150 150 150 175 T r u e flashing point. 107 degrees.. 89 87 86 104 " . 140 172

Numbers .6 and 7 were obtained at the shops of the Illinois Central Kailroad. These were used for head lights on locomotives, and their flashing point is practically the same as claimed for them. The other five brands constitute the kesosene with which the families of this community are supplied. Their flashing points are from 43 to 64 degrees lower than that required by law. It is needless to say that they are of the most dangerous character, especially three of them, and are liable at any time, through a defective burner or wick, or through thoughtless handling, to spread destruction and death among those who use them.