OIL ENGINES v. GAS ENGINES AND GAS PRODUCERS.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 2, 1 December 1905, Page 34

OIL ENGINES v. GAS ENGINES AND GAS PRODUCERS.

What effect will the gas producer have upon the sales of oil engines ? This is a question which a good many of the Petroleum Companies are asking. That oil engines will suffer to some extent is undoubted, but it will be a long time before they are entirely superseded. The conveniences of an oil engine to the agricultural community is much appreciated, and the readiness with which they can be set to work in a few minutes is of great value, especially for short intermittent periods and for very variable work. The ease with which the oil engine can be shut down without stand-by loss is another point in its favour. Generally it can be stated that the oil engine will hold its own for the smaller powers, say to 10 b.h.p., and for larger powers when required for short intermittent periods or for very varying loads. From 10 b.h.p upwards the expenses of each type will have to be calculated over a series of years somewhat upon the following lines :—: — Oil engine 20 b.h.p, running on £ load in practical work, with no special attention to obtain best results as regards economy. Running for five days a week, four hours each day, fifty-two weeks per annum, for five years. Average b.h.p. developed, 15 for if- gallons of oil per hour. Average cost of oil taken as 6d. throughout the five years.

Gas engine 20 b.h.p. with suction gas producer, running on a f load with no special attention to obtain best results as regards economy. Running for five days a week, four hours each day, fifty-two weeks per annum for five years. Average b.h.p. developed, 15. Fuel consumption at the rate of i-J- ft>. of anthracite per b.h.p. hour. Average cost of coal taken as 255. per ton throughout the five years.

Lubricating oil and stores are neglected as. common to both types of engines. Attendance counted as equal in each case while running, but the chnkering and cleaning of producer, relighting fires, &c, being reckoned as taking two extra hours weekly above that required for cleaning oil engine. Depreciation counted on basis of one-half original price for engines as second-hand after five years' 1 service. Cost of water not accounted for, being tak^n asobtainable from storage at site. The oil engine would, of course, show to greater advantage if worked at full power and with careful adjustment of oil supply to suit the load. It would do still better if worked with crude oil at about 2d. per gallon. Some makers are obtaining better economy of oil by increasing compression, and injecting water spray to prevent pre-ignition. In some parts of the United Kingdom refined oil, in bulk, can be obtained at the average rate of 3d. to 4d., and the corrected figures would then, be :—: —

Apart from running and upkeep expenses there are questions of adaptability for sudden and varying loads ; of reliability under the ordinary care of unskilled hands ; ease of repair ; and safety from fire risks. On all these points oil engines can claim equality with the combined gas engine and gas plants, and the former can be attended to and cleaned out without risk of asphyxiation. — Gas and Oil Engine Record.

£ s. d. Capital outlay on engine Carriage, fixing and foundations Repairs and renewals Cost of oil . . 170 o o 30 o o 25 o o 243 IS o Less value of plant at end of five years 468 15 o 85 o o £3%3 15 o

£ s. d. Capital outlay on engine and plant 240 o o Carriage, fixing and foundations 35 o o Repairs and renewals . . . . 3500 'ost of fuel, say, 40 tons at 255. . . 50 o o attendance, is. per week. . 1300 Less value of plant at end of 373 o o five years . . . . . . 120 o o £2.532 .53 o o

£ s. d. Capital outlay on engine arriage, fixing, and foundation Repairs and renewals lost of oil (f pints per b.h.p. hour at 3d. per gallon) for 15 b.h.p. average load 170 o o 30 o o 25 o o 91 8 2 Less value of plant at end of five years 316 8 2 85 o o 8 2