Us Official Photographs

Still at Air Service Command depot

This "still", designed and built by Lt. George W. Hofmann (squatting,) of Cincinnati, Ohio, converts sludgy carbon tetrachloride to its original state and makes one gallon do the work of eight at an Air Service Command depot in England. The fluid, once poured away when loaded with grease, oil, and dirt collected while cleaning aircraft parts, is now "cooked" and purified in the "still" which guarantees 1,200 gallons of cleaning value from every 150 gallons. Pouring the blackened carbon tetrachloride into the hopper is M/Sgt. Richard L. Saunders of Wash., D.C., as Lt. Hofmann turns the valve releasing the clean liquid which has gathered in the condenser.