However, it is quite rare to see a situation like the Southernmost Region, where black water converges into an "underground Styx." According to Iron Axe's report, from the Throttle Swamp to the Endless Cape, the viscosity of the Styx decreases continuously, and the concentration of dead mist becomes increasingly thinner. The Blackwater River Valley is the confluence of several Styx rivers. Standing on the high ground of the valley, one can even hear the dull roar of black water colliding beneath one's feet.

Roland speculated that the underground Styx is also constantly changing its composition during its flow. For example, the dead mist described in the report is likely a toxic gas volatilized from the black water itself, or a result of its reaction with certain underground substances. This may explain why the Blackwater River Valley has not turned into a giant fire basin due to lightning or arson over hundreds of years, and why the Throttle Swamp has a reputation for being deadly.

The dead mist covering the Styx not only blocked the sand people's footsteps, but also isolated the air, allowing the black water to flow stably southward. By the time it reaches the Cape area, the underground river disappears without a trace, and only a small part of it is ejected from the surface due to pressure, some forming blazing fire pillars, and others turning into trickles and shallow puddles. At this time, the black water no longer has the suffocating dead mist, making it suitable for mining.

Faced with such special crude oil, Roland didn't know how many kinds of oil it could be broken down into. He could only instruct the Chief Alchemist to conduct experiments first and then make further plans based on the results.

Now, judging from the separated samples, the results are quite encouraging.

"Black water can indeed be used to make terrible weapons, but its uses go far beyond that," Roland said while answering Kaimo's question, picking up a glass and carefully examining it. "Just the high calorific value alone is a big deal. You'll know later."

For this straightforward Chief Alchemist, the best way to drive him is to dangle unknown new things in front of him.

Seeing the other party's unsatisfied look, he smiled to himself, "Let's talk about the experiment. If you really want to use black water, a few distilling flasks and condenser tubes won't be enough. Like the production of double acid, you have to think of a way to produce it on a large scale."

The principle of oil separation is very simple, almost the most basic chemical knowledge - heating the oil into steam, and then importing it into a fractionation tower. Utilizing the different boiling points of various oils in the mixed liquid, they are condensed in turn to obtain gasoline, kerosene, diesel, heavy oil and other finished products. This process is completely a physical change, so it is easy to achieve under experimental conditions.

Although later refining techniques have become more and more diverse, and the efficiency of crude oil utilization has also increased significantly, the most classic distillation separation method can still work. In the case of not paying attention to production costs, it is naturally the first choice.

However, any process will increase in complexity exponentially when it is enlarged. If you want to carry out industrial fractionation, you will inevitably have to consider many more factors. Kaimo. S. Chuier should have a deep understanding of this.

The old alchemist stroked his beard, "Well... I need to consider what you said for a few more days. In addition, I need the help of the Witch Union."

Actively using the power of witches to conduct scientific research experiments is a good sign. Roland nodded, "If you have any requirements, send someone to tell me, and I will arrange it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Kaimo's eyes turned, "Besides that, I have a small request."

"Oh? Tell me."

"When you use them to create new things, can you let me observe them?" His tone was filled with unsuppressible interest.

In theory, for the sake of secrecy, this request was out of line, like an engineer responsible for refining uranium ore wanting to know the entire Manhattan Project. However, Roland agreed after a little thought, after all, this can improve his work enthusiasm, and at the same time, there are no opponents in this era who can compete with Neverwinter in terms of technology.

"Then you have to work hard," he pointed to the glasses of fractionated liquid, "The sooner you produce them, the sooner you'll know the answer."

"Wait... do you need all of these?" Kaimo asked in surprise, "Although they can all be burned, the black water fractionated from the lower layers is probably not as good as snow powder. The smoke smells very heavy, and the fire is not strong. It's too choking to use for lighting."

This guy is probably still thinking about explosives, treating the inactive oil and residue as waste, Roland thought. It is true that the light oil in the upper layer burns more violently, but it is much more difficult to use in practice. Without additives, carelessness will cause explosions, which is not a goal that can be achieved in a short time. On the contrary, he prefers the diesel and heavy oil in the lower layers.

The former needs no introduction, it is an excellent fuel for internal combustion engines. Even if the process is not in place and contains impurities, it can still be used, at most it will emit black smoke and pollute the environment - which is not a problem at all at present.

Heavy oil is of great significance for navigation and is the first choice for steamships. After all, burning coal is too inefficient. With the current tonnage of ships, it is still okay to run in inland rivers, but it is a bit difficult to put them into the sea. It is quite difficult to run from the fjord to the western shallows. This is also one of the reasons why Roland established Daqing Port at the Endless Cape: to provide supplies for steamships on the route. As for wanting to cross the sea line and enter the depths of the ocean, you must burn oil.

It also has the lowest requirements for secondary processing, and it can be used almost after separation, even mixed with asphalt residue. It is considered the least particular fuel in the petroleum family.

Of course, Roland would not tell Kaimo these things in advance. Before making the finished product, he was not sure whether it would work. If he said it with great fanfare and then found that the result was not the case, it would damage his image of being omniscient. Therefore, he just shrugged, "All oil, including the oil residue and debris left at the bottom, must be collected separately. I have my own use for it."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the Chief Alchemist stroked his chest.

"By the way," Roland stopped at the door of the laboratory and turned around and said, "Let's start a tutoring class."

"What?" Kaimo was stunned.

"Last time at the agricultural conference, didn't I say that I would set up an agronomy course in the education curriculum, so that even if Golden No. 2 is promoted to the whole country, there will be enough manpower to implement it." Roland elaborated, "Similarly, opening new factories also requires more skilled workers - there are quite a few people who want to devote themselves to the chemical industry after graduating from popular education. First gather them for training, so as not to be in a hurry and cause accidents after entering the factory."

This approach is equivalent to bringing the professional divisions after entering the university forward to the beginning of schooling - he had considered it long ago. In the absence of time to cultivate all-rounders, the cultivation of professional workers should be carried out as soon as possible.

"Your Majesty, shouldn't this be the responsibility of Lord Juan?"

"She is responsible for recruiting people, dividing classes, assessing, and paying salaries, but the tutors must be from the Ministry of Chemical Industry, and also from you."

Kaimo breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that as long as he didn't have to give lectures, it would be fine. He had already reached his limit after exhausting his brains to recruit a group of alchemy apprentices in order to exchange "Elementary Chemistry" from Roland. "I see, Your Majesty. I think those alchemists from the royal capital are very good. Giving speeches and showing their faces were what they used to be good at. What do you think?"