Mineral Oil

Mineral oil (liquid petrolatum) is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline.   It is a transparent, colorless oil used for skin lubrication and composed mainly of alkanes (typically 15 to 40 carbons) and cyclic alkanes.   Mineral oil is a substance of relatively low value, and it is produced in very large quantities. Mineral oil is available in light and heavy grades, and can often be found in drug stores. ^{Wiki n.p.}

Applications:^{Wiki n.p.}

• Refined mineral oil is used as transformer oil.
• Alkali metals are often submerged in mineral oil for storage or transportation. The oil prevents the metals from reacting with atmospheric moisture.
• Mineral oil is sometimes taken orally as a laxative. It lubricates feces and intestinal mucous membranes, and limits the amount of water removed from feces.
• Mineral oil with added fragrance is marketed as baby oil in the US, UK and Canada.
• Used as an ingredient in baby lotions, cold creams, ointments and other pharmaceuticals and low-grade cosmetics.
• Certain mineral oils are used in livestock vaccines, as an adjuvant to stimulate a cell-medicated immune response to the vaccinating agent.
• Lubrication
• Fuel, for items such as oil lamps.
• Electric mineral-oil–filled space heaters
• Coolant
• Fog machines
• Automotive and aviation brake fluid that does not absorb water molecules by osmosis
• Low viscosity mineral oil is sold as a preservative for wooden cutting boards and utensils.
• A coating of mineral oil protects metal surfaces from moisture and oxidation.
• Food-preparation butcher block surfaces are often conditioned periodically with mineral oil.
• Light mineral oil is used in textile industries and used as a jute batching oil.
• Mineral oil is used to darken soapstone countertops for aesthetic purposes.
• It is used as a release agent for baking pans and trays.
• Used as a cleaner and solvent for inks in fine art printmaking as well as in oil painting, though turpentine is more often used.
• In the poultry industry, plain mineral oil can be swabbed onto the feet of chickens infected with scaly mites on the shank, toes, and webs. Mineral oil suffocates these tiny parasites.

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