28-second oil

Question

This seems to be a British term for kerosene ("paraffin" in BrE?).

Where does this come from? I'd guess it's a measure of the viscosity- how long it takes 144 drams to drip through a hole the size of the King's little finger or something like that. True?

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Subject: 28-second oil This seems to be a British term for kerosene ("paraffin" in BrE?). Where does this come from? ... takes 144 drams to drip through a hole the size of the King's little finger or something like that. True?[/nq]
Something like that.
From :

Determination of the Viscosity of Oils - Redwood Viscometer.

Object
To determine the viscosity (in 'Redwood seconds') of a liquid hydrocarbon and also the effect of temperature on the viscosity. The viscosity of a hydrocarbon can be expressed as the number of seconds taken for the collection of 50ml. of the liquid when flowing under standard conditions through a jet of standard dimensions. The equipment specified is the Redwood Viscometer.
Apparatus
The viscometer consists of an oil cup furnished with a pointer, which ensures a constant head of oil, and an agate jet, which is drilled with a central hole. The upper end of the agate jet is closed with a ball, which is lifted to allow the flow of oil during the experiment. The outer jacket which is for maintaining the oil at a constant temperature, is electrically heated and normally contains water, though if a higher temperature is required, cylinder oil is used. The temperature is maintained at a uniform level by rotating the stirrer. A wire stirrer is also provided for mixing the oil samples.
Viscometer No.1 or No.2 is used depending on whether the time of flow of the oil at the desired temperature, is greater or less than 2000 seconds. The difference between the two viscometers is the diameter of the *******.
Redwood No. 1 Capillary diameter.1.62 mm, length. 10.0 mm Redwood No. 2 Capillary diameter. 3.5 mm, length. 5.0 mm This means there is a factor of ten between the two viscometers, i.e. a liquid that takes 100 seconds to flow through a No1 viscometer will take
10 seconds in a No2 viscometer.

MethodThe sample of oil, filtered if necessary, is transferred to the container cup of the viscometer until the pointer just breaks the surface of the oil. It is most important that the test is always started with the pointer just emerging through the liquid surface. This ensures that the head of oil above the ******* is always the same and therefore that the pressure forcing the oil through is the same in each test using the same oil.

Whilst slowly rotating the jacket stirrer, the water in the jacket is heated to a temperature of 41°C. When the sample of oil in the cup reaches 40°C, the ball is lifted and at the same time a stop-watch is started. Allow oil to run through into the collecting flask until the 50 ml mark on the flask is reached, at which point the clock should be stopped and the ball pushed back onto the ******* to halt the oil flow.
The time taken for the passage of 50 ml of oil through the jet into the collecting flask, in seconds, should be noted.

Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]This seems to be a British term for kerosene ("paraffin" in BrE?). Where does this come from? I'd guess it's ... takes 144 drams to drip through a hole the size of the King's little finger or something like that. True?[/nq]
Never heard of it. OED doesn't know it. But Google shows it is used in the UK by heating engineers and such. Apparently in contrast to 35 second oil. Who knew?

John Dean
Oxford
De-frag to reply

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Subject: 28-second oil This seems to be a British term ... of the King's little finger or something like that. True?[/nq]
[nq:1]Something like that. From :[/nq]
Very nice, thank you.
Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

28-second oil

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