ALTERNATIVE TO PETROL
GAS-PRODUCING PLANT FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT (From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, Feb. 27. A plant for producing gas as an alternative fuel to petrol for commercial and passenger service vehicles is to be sent to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in New Zealand. Applications to . produce these plants in the Dominion have been made by New Zealand firms. The type of plant to be sent to the department is that recommended in the report of the committee of which. Sir Harold Hartley, of the Fuel Research Board, was chairman. It may be mounted on vehicles, or towed on a trailer, and is designed for vehicles having a gross laden weight of six tons with engine capacities of 3 to 4 litres. It burns low volatile anthracite and certain low temperature cokes. Although it is difficult to estimate accurately the overall costs of operation, it is claimed that actual fuel costs should be appreciably less than with petrol. Modifications to engines are not essential, but may improve performance. The use of a certain amount of petrol is necessary. The producer consists of a thin steel cylindrical shell, approximately 4ft 6m high, and Ift 6in in diameter. It is fitted with a fuel charging door at the top, an ash discharging door at the base, an air intake, and a good offtake, protected by a detachable grid. The gas is introduced into the induction system between the inlet manifold and the normal petrol carburettor, which is not altered in any way except that tlv throttle is handcontrolled. The gas throttle, controlled by the usual acceleration pedal, is fitted close to the junction. An air admission valve is fitted just before the throttle. The plant has been used with success in Britain.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 24254, 23 March 1940, Page 12
Word Count
294ALTERNATIVE TO PETROL Otago Daily Times, Issue 24254, 23 March 1940, Page 12
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