PRODUCER GAS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1940, Page 3

PRODUCER GAS

FOR USE' IN MOTOR-CARS. A booklet issued by authority of the Minister of Supply (Mr. D. G. Sullivan), copies of which may be procured from the Government Printer, Wellington, reviews the use of producer gas for automotive purposes, and describes a plant developed by the Technical Committee, to meet emergency conditions. “In time of national emergency there is always danger of supplies of motor fuel from overseas being seriously interrupted. Such an interruption would graVely affect the commercial and industrial life of the country,” states the Minister, in his foreword to the booklet. “Forseeing this danger, the Government, before the outbreak of present hostilities, set up a Committee to investigate the use of alternative fuels for motor-vehicles. All substitutes for motor-spirit were carefully considered,, arid it Was decided that for this Dominion the use of producer gas offered the most practicable solution of the problem. Shortly after the commencement of the war, I appointed a Technical Committee consisting of representatives of the Transport, Public Works, and Scientific and Industrial Research Departments, to investigate in detail' the application of producer gas to motor-Vehicles. This brochure briefly reviews the use of producer gas for automotive purposes arid describes a plarit developed by the Technical Comrhittee to meet emergency requirements.” SOME IMPORTANT POINTS Commenting on the. G.overnment’s recent decision to declare the manufacture of gas producers for motorcars a' licensed industry, Mr. George C. Seers, managing director of General Motors, N.Z., Ltd., heartily endorsed the Government’s action. “Being much concerned, as we are,” said Mr. Seers, “with the satisfaction that owners and drivers receive from the operation of their motor vehicles, we have maintained a close interest in the' design and production of gas producers. Several of dur overseas plants have had fairly extensive experience xyith them, notably in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Japan. . . “Careful observation by General Motors engineers over many thousands of miles of operation have shown producers must be well designed, carefully manufactured; and»properly serviced if the maximum amount of- satisfaction is to be derived from their use, Our

engineers, after very careful investigation, report that the rate of wear of the engine driven by a gas producer, even with the best of fuels, is about twice as rapid as when the engine is operated with petrol, oil must be changed more frequently, and certain important service work done at regular intervals to both producer and engine. If this is the case with well-designed, carefully-manu-factured, and well-serviced producers, it is obvious that extensive damage could very easily be done to the ihotbr by improperly designed’ or carelessly-made gas producers. “In the manufacture of gas producers, metals which have to be imported must be used, and the Government, by licensing the industry, shows commendable forethought. They are making sure that the gas producers sold in New Zealand will be sporisored by ‘reputable manufacturers, essential materials will not be wasted,' and the motoring public and commercial users will have the satisfaction of knowing that, within its limitations, the. gas producer they buy will give all the satisfaction that can be expected from these devices.” NEW REGULATIONS. WELLINGTON, September <l9. Regulations Gazetted to-day repeal the provision of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act requiring the owners of vehicles propelled by producer gas, coal gas, or other approved substitute fuels, to pay mileage tax. In. future, no such tax will be payable. The operators of the vehicles concerned are, however, expected to furnish at the usual time for this month a return of mileage up to September 19, and to, renew the regulations. Heavy vehicles not driven by petrol are allowed an extra quarter of a ton in respect to the laderi or unladen weights permitted on classified and unclassified roads. If, by reason of the fitting of any apparatus for using, substitute fuels, the statutory dimensional limitations of the vehicle are exceeded, written permission may be given by . the Commissioner br Transport for the vehicle to operate with the increased dimerisions.