CHARCOAL GAS

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21050, 29 December 1933, Page 4

CHARCOAL GAS

SCIENTIST'S CLAIM TENTH OF Tin; COST OF PETROL ROME. November -1. A series of experiments are being performed here on an invention for running motor-cars on gas produced from a complicated chemical reaction when steam is introduced into charcoal raised to glowing heat. The experiments, which are being watched closely by the Government, are being made by Professor Fcrraguti, secretary to the Italian Wheat Committee. The importance of the invention is that at the current cost of charcoal cars could be run on the new gas at about one-tenth the cost of using petrol. Further, as it is possible to use the charred remains of any vegetable matter such as abounds on all Italian farms, the cost would be reduced almost to zero. The experiments are highly important for Italy, which does not possess supplies of mineral oils, while the charred refuse of agriculture can be supplied in almost unlimited quantities. The device can be applied to any ear, only requiring alterations to the carburetter. The one drawback is that the speed of the car is slightly reduced, but in recent tests a small car with only 900 c.c. cylinder volume reached a speed of over 40 miles an hour. The consumption of charcoal is so smail that Professor Ferraguti is about to leave for Budapest carrying a supply for the entire trip and for the return journey.