GAS FUEL FOR MOTORS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 23, 22 March 1918, Page 6

GAS FUEL FOR MOTORS.

It is generally accepted, in motoring circles in England, that coal gas as a motor fuel is no mere war-time expedient, but has great possibilities after the war and has come to stay. Its very cheapness makes it a serious rival to petrol, for under present conditions petrol would have to bo sold at about lOd a gallon to compete with it. At present coal-gas is denuded of many valuable constituents; when, on the cessation of hostilities these constituents are no longer needed for the manufacture of explosives, the gas will bo richer and will give an appreciably greater milage per hundred cubic feet, thus in effect further cheapening gas considered as a fuel. It should also be possible for the gas companies to reduce the prices in view of the increased demand. It is probably true that the atmospheric or gas bag method of conveying the gas is merely a war-time expedient —at least, so far as private vehicles arc concerned where space is not abundant. This will render it necessary to instal compressors, and the cost of compressed gas will naturally be slightly higher than where it is taken at ordinary pressures. With the development of gas pressure systems, however, we may sec high pressure gas mains installed in our larger and more progressive cities, with every modern garage .having its connection to the high pressure gas supply. It is very probable that for light cars the gas cylinders will be of the semi-rigid type, such as the lately produced WoodMilne container. Rigid metal cylinders will hardly find favour with light ear manufacturers because of their excessive weight. The Wood-Milne container, however, in what wo may call its experimental form, as it is of such recent birth, weighs but 601 b., and contains gas to the equivalent of two gallons of petrol. Now the weight of two gallons of petrol is about 151 b., so that the wood-Milne container can be regarded as involving only 451 b extra weight. With the growing use of gas, it will not be long before motor car bodies arc specially designed to carry a number of gas reservoirs out of sight under the seats or in the boot of single scatcr cars. With four containers stowed away a light car could run about 240 miles without any need of re-charg-ing. A pressure gauge on the dashboard would tell at a glance how much fuel remained in the reservoirs. Another advantage that gas fuel offers is its use for illuminating purposes. It should move even simpler than electric lighting! In fact, gas fuel has big possibilities in a motoring connection.