KEROSENE AS FUEL

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 12 November 1927, Page 15

KEROSENE AS FUEL

COMMERCIAL USES. The possibilty of employing Ice rose ne or parrnffin 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 is often available when petrol is practically unol>tailiable. With light fuels of light volatility, not only is the loss by evaporation Very heavy, but the fire risk, where large quantities have to be stored, is considerable. Apart from these points there is the question of price. Tf 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 quantities 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 t the gallon of petrol, this cost has to be looked into most carefully if econoitiy 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, and 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 lost and yet involve much heavy expenditure in engine repairs. It may be of interest to users of motor vehicles to know, that a well-known Glasgow firm of motor truck dealers have lor tnanv years past sold a considerable a 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 petrol or kerosene. The general principle on which the 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 and a proper vaporisation of the fuel is obtained.

The lubrication system is specially suitable lor use in heavy oil engines, because with it each bearing and each cylinder receives a .small supply of entirely fresh and uncontaminated 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 is normally as good as that given by the same vehicles on petrol fuel. From such experience, it will he 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 be overlooked.