How I Can Change the Color of Mineral Oil?

Colorants are added to fuels to distinguish tax categories, for instance; and to kerosene lamp oils for decor. The same or similar might work for your application.

google - dyes for greases and oils

anwarali-

Best dye for Mineral Oil would be a petroleum bases solvent dye. A dye with an aliphatic solvent would probably be best because of its high solubility in oils and greases, etc.

Try: Keystone (now Milliken Chemical)

Organic Dyestuffs Corporation (ORCO)

I have no financial connection to these businesses!

Give them a call. Their laboratories, development depts., and customer service area can probably recommend one that is already used for the Mineral Oil or a very similar product. Ask them for samples so you can try them out.

Caution though, If you have never worked with commercial dyes before, a lot goes a long way. Make every attempt possible to keep this stuff off of you hands, clothes, faces, eyes, etc. If you get it on you or your clothes everyone will be able to tell for a long time. Just dump the clothes and try a solvent based hand gleaner such as GOOP or similar product for the skin. This type of product is more embarrassing than it is a danger to the skin.

Good Luck, Old Salt

I’m in need of colored mineral oil for sewer system smoke testing. We use mineral oil vaporized in the exhaust manifold which is then blown into the sewer system. The smoke finds defects which are logged. Typical smoke color is white. We were looking to possibly go with a red color. there are instances where due to issues with dry traps and the like that smoke is introduced into businesses and homes. The smoke itself is non-toxic but my question is whether or not the tinted smoke Would be an issue with potentially staining fabrics and furnishings inside a business or home. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

If not already done, call a few plumbing supply houses and ask them if there is anything available to do what you want. Often times we don't know the vast amount of different things that they sell.

They are a source of water based dyes that are used for tracing water lines and sewer lines. It is non-toxic and available in several different colors. This might be a start for you if it can be mixed with water and a surfactant such as an alcohol, soap or other appropriate compound.

When using any colored compound for tracing be ready for some odd questions or complaints. People aren't used to seeing that nice gentle stream or sewer turning green, red or some other unusual color.

Good Luck, Old Salt

Thanks for the quick response. I’m familiar with the tracing dyes like liquid powder. Would it mix with mineral oil or do I have to mix it with something else

I don't know if it might mix. It could go into solution or a suspension mix. You may have to mix a little of each and do some experimenting. Many virgin oils such as mineral, castor, etc. have water in them before any further processing is done. This might be a possibility for you.

I would suggest you do an extensive investigation with Google's Search engine and subsequent investigations based on what you initially find.

Find out who the manufactures (or importers) of each component are and give there labs a phone call. They are usually quit accommodating to customer and potential customer's questions unless it is a matter of trade secrets.

Good Luck, Old Salt

Thanks

do you really think red oil will produce red smoke???

1) If there are no documents saying it won't happen, it may be possible

2) If the people who are most likely to know don't know yes or no, it may be possible.

3) If no one knows, experiment (with all safety compliances followed), it may be possible.

As per Thomas Edison- "I have not failed, but found 1,000 ways to not make a light bulb" (Overheard at Menlo Park, NJ)

Common phrase of many people "Necessity Is the Mother of Invention"

Good Luck, Old Salt

No that won't work...

When I was a DJ I lugged a 750w fogg machine that I could produce Pina colada smoke.

I'd suggest getting one and adding mint.

Much less scary. Red smoke is deadly in my book.

No it will not stain the homes or businesses.

However, the ocupents might start dancing.

I don't know of any way to produce colored smoke from mineral oil, but you could use colored smoke cartridges....foggers use colored lights to reflect off the white fog for effects...which is glycol based...dying the fluid would not produce that color fog...just probably ruin the machine...

http://www.theatrefx.com/moreinfo-cs102-smoke-cartridges.html

I have been looking into these and to main issue is the time frame to produce smoke. For sewer system smoke testing we generally run the machine 30-60 mins at a time and most of the canisters I have found last maybe 90 seconds. It would require a substantial number, and yes I was hoping I could get red smoke with red colored mineral oil

You only need to have a certain amount of smoke, not a continuous supply...The density of the smoke to be visible, divided into the volume of air supply, equals the number of cartridges plus time...perhaps a 3 minute cartridge every 10 minutes for the first 20 minutes...

I know you think I'm joking.

When I'd run mine continuous.. the FD was in alert.

Very efficient. And may I recommend cinnamon fog over red?

The continuous production of fog causes it to surge from any openings in a building.

And you can't see your hand in front of your face it's so thick

This is the unit we are using

https://youtu.be/ATbw692pLYU

You can always make your own....remember to video...