However, it was quite rare for the Black Water to converge into an "Underground Styx" in the Southernmost Region. According to Iron Axe's report, from the Choke Swamp to the Endless Cape, the viscosity of the Styx was constantly decreasing, and the density of the Dead Fog was getting thinner and thinner. The Blackwater Valley was the intersection of several Styx rivers. Standing on a high place in the valley, one could even hear the dull roar of the Black Water under their feet.
Roland speculated that the Styx was constantly changing its composition as it flowed. For example, the Dead Fog described in the report was probably a kind of poisonous gas emitted by the Black Water itself, or the result of the reaction between the Black Water and some underground substances. This might explain why the Blackwater Valley had not been turned into a huge brazier by lightning or arson after hundreds of years of evolution, and why the Choke Swamp was rumored to be fatal.
The Dead Fog covering the Styx not only hindered the Sand Nation, but also isolated the air, so the Black Water could flow steadily to the south. At the Endless Cape, the underground Styx was nowhere to be found, and only a small part of it would spurt out of the ground due to the pressure. Some of it formed a burning column of fire, while others turned into thin streams and shallow pools. At this time, the Black Water no longer had the suffocating Dead Fog, so it was suitable for mining.
In the face of such a strange crude oil, Roland did not know how many kinds of oil it could be decomposed into. He could only ask the Chief Alchemist to test it first, and then plan the next step after getting the result.
Now, from the sample separation, the result was quite exciting.
"The Black Water can indeed be used to make terrible weapons, but it has far more uses than that." Roland answered Kyle's question while picking up the glass and looking at it carefully. "Just the high calorific value of the Black Water alone shows that there is a lot of room for improvement. You will find out later."
For the straightforward Chief Alchemist, using unknown new things to keep him in suspense was the best way to motivate him.
Seeing Kyle's dissatisfied look, Roland secretly smiled. "Let's talk about the experiment. If you really want to use the Black Water, it won't be enough to rely on a few flasks and condensing tubes. Just like the production of diacid, you have to find a way to produce it on a large scale. "
The principle of petroleum separation was very simple. It could almost be regarded as the most basic chemical knowledge. Through heating, the petroleum was turned into steam, which was then introduced into the fractionating tower. Using the different boiling points of the various oils in the mixed liquid, the fractionating tower condensed them in turn. Thus, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, heavy oil, and other finished products were produced. This process was completely a physical change, so it was easy to do under experimental conditions.
Although there were more and more refining techniques, and the efficiency of crude oil utilization had also increased significantly, the most classical distillation separation method was still effective. In a situation where production costs were not important, it was naturally the first choice.
It was just that when any process was enlarged, its complexity would increase exponentially. If one wanted to carry out industrial fractionation, there would inevitably be many more things to consider. Kyle Sichi should have a deep understanding of this.
The old alchemist stroked his beard and said, "Well... I'll have to think about it for a few more days. In addition, I need the help of the Witch Union."
Taking the initiative to use the witches' power to conduct scientific experiments was a very good sign. Roland nodded, "If you have any requests, send someone to tell me, I will arrange it."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Kyle rolled his eyes. "In addition, I have a small request."
"Oh? What is it? "
"When you use them to make new things, can you let me have a look?" Kyle could not suppress his curiosity.
In theory, for the sake of confidentiality, this request was out of line, just like an engineer in charge of extracting uranium ore wanted to know the entire Manhattan Project. However, after a short consideration, Roland agreed. After all, this could increase his enthusiasm for work, and at the same time, there were no rivals in this era who could compete with Neverwinter in terms of technology.
"Then you have to work hard." He pointed to the cups of distilled liquid and said, "The sooner you produce them, the sooner you will know the answer."
"Wait... do you need all of them?" Kyle was surprised. "Although they can all be used to burn, the black water produced from the lower layer is probably not as good as snow powder. The smoke is very strong, and the fire is not strong. It will choke people to use it to light a lamp."
"This guy is still thinking about the explosives and regards the inactive oil and residue as waste," Roland thought. "Indeed, the light oil in the upper layer will burn more fiercely, but it is much more difficult to use. In the absence of additives, a slight carelessness will cause an explosion, which is not something that can be achieved in a short time." Instead, he preferred the diesel and heavy oil in the lower layer.
The former was an excellent fuel for internal combustion engines, which could be used even if the technology was not up to standard and it was mixed with impurities. At most, it would emit black smoke and pollute the environment, which was not a problem at present.
Heavy oil was the first choice for steam-powered ships, which was very important for navigation. After all, the efficiency of burning coal was too low. It was not a problem for it to run in the inland rivers, but it was a little difficult for it to run from the Fjords to the Shoal of the Western Region. This was one of the reasons why Roland built the Festive Harbor at the Endless Cape: to provide supplies for the steam-powered ships on the route. As for crossing the Sealine and entering the depths of the ocean, it was necessary to burn oil.
At the same time, it was also the one with the lowest requirements for secondary treatment. It could be used as soon as it was separated, even if it was mixed with asphalt residue. It was the least particular fuel among the petroleum families.
Of course, Roland would not tell Kyle about this in advance. He was not sure whether it would work before he produced the finished product. If he made it sound as if it was true, only to find out in the end that it was not true, it would damage his omniscient image. Therefore, he just shrugged and said, "All the oil, including the residue and debris left at the bottom, should be collected separately. I'll keep them for my own use. "
"Yes, Your Majesty," the Chief Alchemist said with his hand on his chest.
"By the way," Roland stopped at the door of the laboratory, turned around and said, "Start a tutorial class."
"What?" Kyle was stunned.
"When I held the Agricultural Conference last time, didn't I say we should offer an agricultural course in secondary education? That way, even if we promote Golden Twos to the whole country, there will be enough people to carry it out." Roland explained, "Also, we need more skilled workers to open a new factory. Many people want to devote themselves to the chemical industry after they graduate from universal education. Let's gather them together and train them first, so that they won't panic and cause accidents when they enter the factory."
This was equivalent to dividing students' majors into different subjects in the middle school. Roland had long considered that since he did not have the time to train all-rounders, he should start training professional workers as soon as possible.
"Your Majesty, shouldn't... Lady Scroll be responsible for this?"
"She's responsible for recruiting, dividing students into classes, assessing them, and paying them. But the Ministry of Chemical Industry, which is you, has to provide the tutors."
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