CONVERSION TO COAL-GAS.
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Gas Under Compression.
THE CIRCUMSTANCE that certain conditions are likely to militate against, the utilization of a flexible overhead container has aroused enhanced interest in the alternative method of storage—by compression in cylinders. The article published in the last issue of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR relative to the experiments conducted in Glasgow has stimulated iuterest in this development, and we -have received numerous inquiries bearing' upon various aspects of the issue. The two outstanding features on which further enlightenment is sought are weight and radius of action per charge respectively. These are the two cardinal . points uponwhichdecision to convert obviously turns. Naturally in such comparisons the work output of a given :quantity of petrol is taken as the unit. it or instance, a correspondent requests the Weight and number, of cylinders necessary to carry the volume of gas equivalent to 15 gallons of petrol. • These two factors tom essentially upon thedegree to which compression is carried. According to the report of the experiments and investigations conducted by the. British Commercial Gas Association, a priscis of which was published in our issue of 9th August last, 1000 cubic ft. of coal-gas at atmospheric pressure isequal in running volume" to three or four gallons of petrol. On this basis We will assume that 15 gallons of petrol is equivalent to 4000 c. ft. (1000 by 4) of cnitl-gas. at .atmospheric pressure. If.'this volfune of gas were compressed in a cylinder to 25 atmospheres, or, say, 375 lb. per sq. in., the volume would be reduced to approximately 1-26th or 154 cubic -feet of cylinder capacity ; that is to say by resorting to compressing the volume of gas instead of occupying 4000 c. ft. can be pressed into -154 e.ft. To continue our -illustration we will
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take 'a steel cylinder sinth as is manufactured by the. Steel Barrel Co., Ltd.., of Uxbridge. It measures 7 It. 6 ins. long by 2 ft. internal diameter, with externally-domed ends to a radina not in excess of the cylinder diameter. Such a cylinder has an effective. capacity of about 22 c. ft. Therefore With such vessels and at the above degree of compression (25 atmospheres) seven such cylinders would he required (154 e 7).
Now cornea , the question of weight of the cylinder. The thickness of the wall of the latter varies according to the factor of safety allowed. .21 goodquality steel, which would weld satisfactorily, would have a tensile strength of approximately 26 tons per
sq. in. It is advisable to allow a factor of safety of 5 to 1, so the metal of the foregoing quality would need to be in. thick. On this basis the weight of each cylinder would come out at nearly 800 lb.r and as seven would-be required to carry in coal-gas the equivalent of 15 gallons of petrol, the total cylinder -weight to be carriea would be approximately 5600-lb., or, say, 2& tons. Stich a weight, it will be admitted, is prohibitive. `.1.1ealternative if compressed gas must be utilized, isle be content with a shorter radius of action per charge. Assuming that the vehicle is able to cover 11. miles on a gallon of petrol, the gas content cd 4000 c. ft.. carried in seven cylinders compressed to 25 atmospheres., weld& -repre'sent'
adequate for 165 miles. By resting content with two cylinders, for instance, the distance per charge upon the foregoing basis would be about 46 miles for an added weight of 14 cwt., as represented by the two cylinders. Thus it -will be appreciated-that thesolution of the weight problem at the moment lies in the reduction of mileage radius pee charge with more frequent re-charging.
Easy Inflation.
There is a tendency among users of flexible gas-containers to force inflation to excess, possibly in the hope that another mile or two can be squeezed Cut of the one charge. The manufacturert of the Barton holdees, however, lugs that. such action is to be dgprecated since over-charging is responsible for many ol the troubles experienced in regard tc leakage. The seams of the bag will not resist the extra pressure imposed. Once they start, gas loss from leakage wil rapidly become worse, finally demandinE re-seaming. Such trouble, if detected is the incipient stage, may Le remedied la; treatment with the gold size and boilec linseed oil dope.
First Vehicle in Manchester.
The first coal-gas driven vehicle to b placed upon the streets of Manchester i a 3-ton Dennis motorvan of the Cc operative Wholesale Society. The cor version wa:s taken in hand on Saturday the 1st inst., after the vehicle had bee returned from service, and was charge up on Monday morning, the 3rd, whic shows the facility with which sue _adaptations can be carried out. The col tenser was charged up first thing in ti ,moriiing,. and with three tons aboar *as -eonton its first journey, coverie 14 miles on the one charge. Curious I relate, the price of petrol was advance on the day gas was adopted by the C operative Society.
Measuring for Container.
For those who wish to convert to cue gas and -are disposed to carry out ti adaptation unaided, but who are fleee sarily compelled to order the flexib holder through the post,,.a few words r ga.rding how to complete the essenti measurements may prove helpful. On two dimensions A to B brid D to (see -diagra.ni)lerfithand width -ins: the valance or tray—are necessary. 'I general height recommended is from 4 to a ft. If maximum radius of act: per charge is-desired, the length of container may be increased by contintil it to a line flush with the radiator— to C—which extension will provide ; proximately a father. 50 cubic feet.
Network and Basketwork Coverings
Where clearance under railway bridges slight and where the branches of overinging trees are likely to inflict :damage is advisable to incorporate a proteeire covering of networkor basketwork prevent the deflating bag falling out its tray or flapping in the wind. With ther of these devices the usual anchor. g expedients may be eliminated. 7een Taxis, 27a, Upper Marylebone ' rest, Great Portland Street, London,
1, are specializing in this line of retements, and express their readiness to lint the basketwork to harmonize, with e colour scheme of the body of the hide.
Gas by Trailer.
Under certain conditions, such as a etform lorry, engaged in transporting ids handled by crane, the installation an overhead flexible container is likely present difficulty or to prove imprac:able. But the p•roblem can be over le by carrying the fuel gas in a trailer, h as has been patented by Douglas S. c., 6, Lansdowne Hill, West Norwood,
S.E. 27. This attachment coinsea a flexible container, measuring apximately 10 ft. by 6 ft., with a cubic a.city for coal-gas equivalent to about gallon of petrol, mounted on a wellung trailer, fitted with two wheels and !urnatic tyres.
'he trailer is supplied complete ready the road. It is only necessary to 7,11 it to the vehicle, and connect up the -feed pipe to the air intake of the car etter. After the trailing container been charged up the vehicle is ready service. The trailer is made in three s to meet various conditions of duty. Ii trailer is sent out complete with
different sized nipples, length of 3, and tap to he inserted in hose near ter's hand. .The repisite fittings are plc and may be carried out at home.
as Quality Affects Mileage.
he quality of the gas affects the mile. and efficiency of the running of the ine very materially. In those villages re the gas companies are not called a to deprive their product of toluol benzoic, content a richer gas is red, but in those instances where the is robbed of its essential calorific concents the mileage is decidedly lower. Thus in making the downward run from London to Eastbourne the Chapman chars-X-banes, provided wind and road are propitious, cover the 20 miles from Uckfield to Eastbourne with facility ()Wing to the higher quality of the Tickfield gas. But on the returnyjourney, although the going is similar, the through 20 miles cannot be made, the Eastbourne gas, being of a very low calorific value, necessitating taking on a further charge at Hailsham.
Coal-GasConverters.
The undermentioned firms are manuf icturers of flexible containers and are ready to supply bags made to dimensions t) trade and private order :--
Barton Bros., Beeston, Notts. ' British Rubber Manufactures, Ltd., Agnes Works, Agnes Road, Acton, London, W. Green . Taxis, 27a, Upper Marylebone Street, Gt. Portland Street, W.
North British Rubber Co., Ltd., Castle Mills, Edinburgh. • " Robin Hood" Motor Gas Holders, Ltd,, 10, ' Piker Gate, Nottingham.
Spencer, C. G., and Sons, Ltd., 5Ga, Highbury Grove; London, N,
The following firms are ready to fit gasbags to vehicles :—
Ashbourne (Derbyshire):
Atkey, A. R. and Co., Ltd., Conipton Street.
Beckenham (Kent).
Filner, rt. and EL, Wickham Road.
Beeston (Notts.): Barton Bros.
Belfast: Ferguson, Harry, Ltd., May Streeb.
Birkenhead: • Birkenhead Motor Works, Duke Street, Mersey Motor Co., Ltd:, The. ' Birmingham: Reath's Garage, Ltd. Tyler's Garage, Cambridge Street. Bradford: Thornton Engineering Co., The, Humboldt Street.
Brighton: Iroore'a Garage, 6S, Preston Street. Boscombe (Hants). Mena, Edwin, 8 and 10, Palmerston Road. Burnley Duerden, G. E., Aqueduct Street. Cambridge: Ortona Motor Co., Ltd., The, Hills Road.
Chester: •
Brown and Co. (Chester), Ltd., Eastgate Road.
Croydon (Surrey): Milne and Russell, Ltd., 72, High Street.
Wilton Carriage Co., 107 Wadden New Feed.
Dublin: Ferguson, Harry; Ltd., Duke Street, off Grafters Street.
Edinburgh: North British Rubber Co., Ltd., Castle Mills.
Grimsby: Nicholson Bros., Nibromo Works, Robert Street.
Ilaslingden: Cordingley, S. S.
Isle of Wight: Hapg,00d's Garage, John Street, Ryde.
.Leedsh'ellars, Charles A., Ltd:, Chapeltown Garage, lia.rrogate Road,
Leicester: Central Motor Co., The (Leicester), Ltd., Foundry Square, Belgrave (late. Liverpool: Quality Motor Service Go., The, Liscard. Mersey Motor Co., Ltd., The, 91, James Street, Liverpool Commeroial Motor Waggon Co., The, 1, Park Place.
LiandrInded Wells: Tons Norton, Ltd., The Automobile Palace, London Arid l Motors. and General Repairs, Ltd., 320-2, Camberwell New Rd., S.E. 5. Britiih Rubber Manufactures, Ltd., Agnes Works, Agnes Read, Acton, W. Buchet and General Car Agency, Ltd., The, 59, Drayton Gardens, S.W. le. Cox, Douglas S., 81, Lansdowne Hill, West Norwood, 8.E. 27. Featherstone, Ltd., 110, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W. I. Green Taxis, 27a, Upper Marylebone Street, Gt. Portland St., W. Greenwood Garage and Motor Engineering Co., The, 59, Gresham Road, Brixton Road, S.W. 9.
Kennedy, D., 213-5, Selhurst Road, S. Norwood, S.E.
Landon Lorries, Ltd., Spring Place, Kentish Town, N.W. 5.
Lyon, Ernest, Ltd., 91, New Bond Street, W. Motorists' Mutual Co-operative Society, Ltd., 41, New Bond Street, W. 1_ Spencer, C. G., and Sons, Ltd., Ha, High. bury Grove, N.
Woollard, Brainsby, 21 Penton Street, W. Manchester: •
Cockshoot, Joseph, and Co., Ltd., Gt. Dunn Street and New Bridge Street. Lookers, Ltd., 17, Hardman Street, Deans. gate, Bracegirdle Motor Co., Ltd., 58, Alexandra Read.
M idd I esbroug h :
Nesham's Central Garage, Grange Bead, E.
Nottingham: "Robin Hoed" Motor Gas Holders, Ltd., 10, Pilcer Gate.
Pontypridd: Roberts Motor Works, Mill Street.
Sheffield: Wm. Wilson and Bon, Ltd., Cambridge Street.
Sittinelsourne (Kent): Pullen, W, Park Road Garage. Stoke.on.Trent: Hanley Garage, Ltd., CheansIde, Hanley, Harris Motor Co., Ltd., The, Burden. Wakefield: Tate's Commercial Garage, Bull Ring.
Further names will be added as received.
Fit Check Valves to Inlet.
In making connections with engine, the gas feed pipe should be fitted with a ire., butterfly or ball valve, preferably the latter. When the engine fires or pops back, owing to too much air, not only is the gas charge in the inlet fired, but this volume of burnt gases is driven hack
towards the container. Consequently this inert gas has to be sucked intoand exhausted from the engine before further live gas can be secured. If the burnt gas is afforded an unlimited back travel the removal is certainlo occupy appreciable time, and likely to cause the engine to run erratically if not to bring it to a
stop from starvation. By fitting the cheek valve near the inlet the force of the back thrust produced by the explosion will close the butterfly or force the ball valve against its seating thus obstructing the feed pipe. In this way the back travel of the burnt -gases being limited they are more speedily and completely removed. The moment they have been displaced the butterfly or ball valve opens, restoring the flow of live gas to the engine.
Coachwork Not Included.
In describing in our last issue the special scheme introduced by British Rubber Manufactures, Ltd., for fitting out a, vehicle for £21, we were led to believe this figure included any coachwork which might be considered necessary. We are informed that this is not the case, since oo.achwork, being a variable factor, is charged extra. •