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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Chemist R.D. Clark
The main function of the Ras Tanura Oil Operations Laboratory is physical or control testing of products from refinery units and tanks. These photographs provide an inside look at the laboratory in 1955.
Analytical Chemist R.D. Clark points out to Uthman Asadi and the readers of this caption a curve on the polarograph during a run to determine the amount of tetraethyl lead in gasoline. Clark's hometown is Berkeley, Calif.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Senior Petroleum Inspector O.D. Fine
The chief mate of the Japanese oil tanker Toei Maru and H.J.Harrity watch Senior Petroleum Inspector O.D. Fine check for cleanliness prior to loading the tanker. Other Aramco Inspectors not shown are R. Gulovsen, A. Parmentier, R.B. Page and R. King.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Taking the Ullage
Abdul Rahman Zamal and R.H. Gardner, petroleum inspector from Gainesville, Texas, take ullage on a ship's tank after completion of loading. Ullage, by the way, is the distance between the top of the product loaded and a set point on the tank into which the product has been loaded.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Checking Over a Laboratory Model
Los Angeles is the hometown of J.C. Ahlborn, the man in charge of all special analytical work at the Ras Tanura laboratory. Here he checks over a laboratory model of the reactor and generator sections of the hydroformer with Hassan Ariya.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Weighing Metal Samples
Fritz Koorengevel of Schiedam, the Netherlands, of the Analytical section, weighs metal samples in the balance room to find out the composition of a steel sample.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Keeping Watch on a Mercury Still
Contrary to photographic illusion, chemist Joe Dowling of Elizabeth, New Jersey, does not have this tube in his mouth. He is keeping watch on a mercury still in the Analytical section of the lab.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Administrative Discussions
Acting Chief Chemist H.J. Harrity, J.C. Ahlborn, senior analytical chemist, and A.M. Anderson, senior fractionation chemist, discuss administrative aspects of the laboratory's work. Senior Petroleum Inspector O.D. Fine is missing from the picture.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Quartz Tube Sulphur Equipment
Warren Mack, another chemist in the Analytical section, watches Tom Dorsing, from Oregon University, operate quartz tube sulphur equipment to determine the sulphur content of diesel and fuel oils.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Determining Sulphur Content
M.I.T. physics major Dave Christensen, shown working with Muhammad Hussain in the Analytical section of the Ras Tanura Oil Operations laboratory, determines the sulphur content of gasoline and kerosene.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Podbienlniak Machine
A.M. Anderson, of the Fractionation section, is in charge of gas analysis and oil evaluation, puts a Podbienlniak - yes, that's right, a Podbienlniak - machine through its paces. And what is a Podbienlniak machine? It is an assembly of low temperature fractional distillation equipment for the separation of gas samples and is widely known in gas analysis circles. Anderson's hometown is Bakersfield, Cal.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
G.A. Kearney, Fractionation Chemist
G.A. Kearney, fractionation chemist from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., turns toward the camera for a minute while working on a Leco carbon determinant, used in connection for a catlyst for the hydroformer now under construction in Ras Tanura.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Octane Engine
L.J. Wilson, supervisor of Detonation Testing, looks over a new octane engine with Ali Baddar. The machine determines octane ratings on gasoline. The Detonation section, which works closely with the Physical section in the determination of motor, research and aviation gasoline octane numbers, is now located in a new building adjacent to the main laboratory.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Physical and Detonation Testers
Muhammad Mus'ad and Jack Mason, lead physical tester, check oil samples at the distribution desk. Samples are then returned to testers. Mason, who is from New Jersey, also acts as relief detonation tester.
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Photo By: Kazi (Sun and Flare-8/31/1955)
Saybolt Viscosity Machine
Said ibn Muhammad and J.P. Yockel, lead tester in the Physical section, determine the viscosity of an oil sample tested in a Saybolt viscosity machine. The Physical section handles control tests on products coming from refinery units as well as tankage, and the finished products at the Ras Tanura terminal.