MOTOR EXHAUST GASES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20560, 10 May 1930, Page 14 (Supplement)

MOTOR EXHAUST GASES.

ELIMINATION OF POISONS.

It is reported that a means ot eliminatiug carbon-monoxido from motor exhaust gases has been discovered by Dr. J. C. W. Frazer, chairman of the department of chemistry of The John Hopkins University, United States. The discovery is a catalyst, a substance in. the presence of which the carbon-monoxide gas of tho automobile exhaust is completely burned to form harmless carbon-dioxide, and burns all exhaust residue, including the offensive odours common to city streets, A suitable catalyst for carbon-moroxide combustion has been sought for some time. Tho present discovery is largely tho outcome of work carried out during the war arising out of tho necessity for protecting men operating the guns in closed turrets from carbon-rnonoxide gas formed during tho firing. Dr. Frazer has worked on the problem of providing a catalyst capable of operating under tho conditions imposed by direct contact with hot motor gases. Ho now claims that tests which ho has madg during long and short journeys by road and under conditions similar to those existing in closed garages, Jiave proved tho catalyst effectivo. He is of opinion that no great difficulty presents itself in the adaptation -of tho discovery to practical *motor vehicle use. It is said that tho catalyst produced has worked effectively under all possible operating conditions when properly controlled, and to apply it to automobilo uso requires only tho perfection of a simple, efficient mechanical device to carry tho catalyst in such manner that exhaust gases may bo exposed to its action. A satisfactory attachment, it is stated, will require no attention on tho part of tho operator of tho vehicle on which it is installed. It is now in tho hands of experts who have already produced a reliable device, hut ono which must bo further simplified. The heat generated in the catalyst oxidation of tho noxious gases, offers opportunities for .bettor utilisation of tho heat value of the fuels used. The fact that chemical research is being directed at the elimination of a danger which has had so many disastrous results, is of the greatest importance. FOUR-OYLINDEE ENGINES. FEW FIRMS INTERESTED. Tho sturdy, efficient, reliable and economical four-cylinder unit is being gradually replaced by tho six-cylinder engine, and no fewer than 18 of the leading British manufacturers have dropped tho four to concentrate upon the six or eightcylinder car. Some well-established, honoured and famous names have vanished from the four-cylindered world, and today there are only 13 British firms which havo clung to thtj four-cylinder design Of these there are seven more or less unknown to the average motorist, but five are making popular and extremely efficient four-cylinder models, while tho sixth produces a sound two-cylinder car. There are only two French firms producing nothing but four-cylinder engines, only only American manufacturer has remained faithful to the four-cylinder. The appeal of the six-cylinder car is, of course, a good top-gear performance. But there are some four-cylinder car 3 with a very excellent performance on top. For the ordinary man who wants a good car, but who has not a great deal of money to spend upop motoring, the four-cylinder engine is ideal In the racing and sporting field of motoring no great advantage seems to «havo been gained by the mere fact of multiplying the number of cylinders, and there are many light cars with four-cylinder engines, which without being freak designs, are capable of extremely high speeds, and where economy is concerned these four-cylinder cars are supreme. In this connection it is interesting to note that just recently at Brooklands track, England, Captain H. R. Birkin, driving a four-cylinder car, established a lap record of 135.33 miles an hour, defeating Ksiye Don's previous record of 134.46" m.p.h. As Brooklands track is designed for speed not greater than 120 m.p.h., this is a remarkable performance of both car and driver. NEW iODG-E MODELS. A new standard six arid an eight-in-line model, which- have recently been added to the present Dodge victory six and senior lines, arrived in Auckland during the week. The two now models havo much to recommend them, and embody many novel features while retaining the wellknown sturdiness of Dodgo construction. Mono-piece bodies, incorporating the latest advances made in stamping and welding practices, are used on both new lines. It is claimed that the elimination of body joints by welding the major sections, does away with annoying squeaks and rattles, and adds farther, to the safety factor. Sloping windscreens, let at- an angle which avoids reflections, are another pleasing feature of the new cars. A short run in the eight-cylinder model gave convincing evidence of tho flexibility of the motor, \ which has a piston displacement of 220.7 cubic inches, and develops a maximum 0f,76 horse-power. The crank shaft is drilled, permitting forced oiling to all bearings, and the pistons, each fitted with four rings, are of a light alloy. Interest attaches to tho carburetion principle, which embodies a down-draught carburettor filled with an air filter. Finger-light steering and hydraulic, in-ternal-expanding brakes on the four wheels make the car very pleasant to handle, and the ample power of the motor allows such hills as Ayr Street and Farnell Rise to be climhed on top' gear without any effort. The car is filled with semi-elliptic springs mounted in rubber, and hydraulic doubleacting shock absorbers The gear-shift, which is of standard type, was rather stiff on account of the newness of tho model tested, but the hand falls naturally to tho top of tho centrally situated lever. the now standard six is also of pleasing appearance, and follows the eight in design. It develops a maximum of 61 brako horse-power, and has rubber engine mountings. 1 lie crankshaft, which is counterweighted, is supported on four main bearangs. Both cats give an impression of power and reliability, and should attract interest. DOMINION-MADE CARS. _ A project to -build in New Zealand a six-cylinder motor-car which will sell at about £220 has been launched by the New Zealand Motor Manufacturing Com pany Limited, of Gisborne. The company's engineer, Mr. George Birch, has already built two four-cylinder cars entirely in New Zealand, the only imported parts used being the disc wheels. Tho two cars, while purely experimental, havo given complete satisfaction in tests, and tho fact that they have been successful would, indicate Jthat there is every pos sibility of up-to-date cars being construe ted commercially in New Zealand. The type of car which it is proposed to put into construction is a six-cylinder, with a special front-wheel drive, and four-wheel brakes. It is planned to concentrate on one model at the outset, a four-door sedan, and if such a car can he built to sell at £220, there is no doubt that it will find a ready sale both in the Dominion and elsewhere. The company, first proposes to raise £7OOO .to purchase certain equipment and patent rights and later to float a company with a capital of £250,000 to manufacture the cars on a Jargo scab within tho Dominion. 1