Drip gas
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Drip gas is a naturally occurring form of gasoline found near many oil and natural gas wells, in natural gas pipelines, and as a byproduct of natural gas extraction. It is also known as "natural gasoline," "casing head gas," "raw gas," "white gas," and "liquid gold."[1] [2] Drip gas has industrial uses as a cleaner and solvent, and as a denaturing additive for fuel alcohol.
[edit] Historical Use in Vehicles
Beginning in the Great Depression, drip gas was used as a replacement for commercial gasoline by people in oil-producing areas. "In the days of simple engines in automobiles and farm tractors it was not uncommon for anyone having access to a condensate well to fill his tank with 'drip,'" according to the Oklahoma Historical Society. Sometimes it worked fine. "At other times it might cause thundering backfires and clouds of foul-smelling smoke."[3]
Woody Guthrie's autobiographical novel Seeds of Man begins with Woody and his uncle Jeff tapping a natural gas pipeline for drip gas. The gas also has a mention in Badlands, the Terrence Malick movie.[4]
In 1975, the New Mexico State Police's drip gas detail--three men in pickup trucks--began patrolling oil and gas fields, catching thieves and recovering barrels of stolen gas. The detail stopped its work in 1987.[5]
The use of drip gas in cars and trucks is now illegal in many states. It is also potentially harmful to modern engines and dangerous for drivers. It has a distinctive bad smell when used as a fuel, which allowed police to catch people using drip gas illegally[6][7].
[edit] Composition
Under the United States Code of Federal Regulations, drip gas consists of butane, pentane, and hexane hydrocarbons. Within set ranges of distillation, drip gas may be extracted and added to fuel alcohol to denature it--in other words, to make it unfit to drink.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ Mamdouh R. Gadallah and Ray L. Fisher, Applied Seismology: A Comprehensive Guide to Seismic Theory and Application, ISBN 1593700229.
- ^ New Mexico State Police Association, New Mexico State Police, 1933-2000, ISBN 1563115875.
- ^ Oklahoma Historical Society, Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
- ^ Badlands script.
- ^ New Mexico State Police, 1933-2000.
- ^ "Drip Gas Was A Real Gas for Me As A Kid" by Jack Cawthon, June 9 2004.
- ^ Burning Drip Gas in Horntown, Oklahoma, by Clayton Adair.
- ^ Authorized Materials for Fuel Alcoho. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-03-06.
