KEROSENE AS FUEL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19149, 4 November 1927, Page 4

KEROSENE AS FUEL.

COMMERCIAL USES. The possibility of employing , kerosene or paraffin in what are practically ordinary petrol engines is a question which is receiving considerable attention at the present moment, especially in tropical countries where this heavier type of fuel «s often available when petrol is practically unobtainable. With light" fuels of high volatility, nor only is the loss by evaporation heavy, but the fire risk, where large quantities have to be stored, is considerable. Apart from these points, there is the question of price. If the heavier fractions, such as paraffin or kerosene, could be employed to a greater extent, not only would the cost of distillation be reduced, but the available from a given amount of crude oil would be increased. Even now, the cheaper grades of these heavier oils can be purchased at one-third less than the price of petrol, and although the importance of fuel cost cannot be so great when considering private cars and the lighter types of commercial vehicles, yet in the heavier models, which may be obtaining a low mileage to the gallon of petrol, this cost has to' be looked into most carefully if economy is to be obtained. Many commercial vehicles purchased by overseas Governments and trading concerns have been running satisfactorily on kerosene during several years, and are continuing to do so, and, where practicable, many commercial firms would save large sums of money per annum by running their vehicles on this fuel, provided that the correct type of vaporiser in conjunction with the carburetter be employed, a.nd that attention is given to the very important matter of oil dilution in the crankcase. It is not economy to fit an apparatus of an unsatisfactory type which may save a few pounds in fuel cost and yet involve much heavy expenditure for engirie repairs. It may be of interest, to users of motor vehicles to know that a well-known Glasgow firm of motor truck dealers have for. many years past sold a considerable number of their chassis suitable to run on kerosene fuel, these being particularly for the export trade. These chassis are, of course, fitted with a special carburetter to deal with ]>etrol or kerosene. The general, principle on which this vaporiser works is that the mixture is drawn through a special exhaust heated chamber in such a manner that the exhaust gases impart a considerable heat to the mixture and a proper vaporisation of the fuel is obtained. The lubrication system is- specially suitable for use in heavy_ oil engines, because with it each bearing and each cylinder receives a small supply of entirely iresh and uncontarriinate'd oil for so "many revolutions of the crankshaft. It has been proved again and again by users of _ these' kerosene vehicles that the mileage per gallon i; normally as good as that given by the same vehicleson petrol fuel. From such experience, it will be readily appreciated that by the simple adoption of a means to assist in complete combustion of fuel heavier than petrol there are possibilities presented to the transport owners which should not he overlooked.

According .to, a London. paper the gearbox of a motor-hus snapped and fell in pieces in the roadway. This caused the bus to become out of "control, but the conductor, with great resource, jumped out and turned off the petrol, thus stopping the vehicle. Do not move the steering'wheel while the car is standing stilL