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Over 1,000 Buses Run on L.P.G.

17th June 1960, Page 77
17th June 1960
Page 77
Page 77, 17th June 1960 — Over 1,000 Buses Run on L.P.G.
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OR the past eight years, the Chicago Transit Authority have been operating single-deck buses equipped with sparkignition engines and running on liquefied petroleum gas. The distance covered by the buses totals about 169m. miles. There are 1,050 vehicles of this type, and an additional 250 are being added to the fleet.

Mr. S. D. Forsythe, general. superintendent of engineering of the C.T.A., says that an I.p.g. engine is 2,200 dollars cheaper than a comparable oil engine. Whilst tests show that the oil engine affords a fuel saving of 25 per cent., a gas power unit gives many operational advantages and reduces maintenance . casts.

Whereas engines running on other types of fuel require new piston rings after 160,000 miles, power units operating on I.p.g. continue to run satisfactorily, without the need to renew the rings even after 200,000 miles.

Compared with conventional petrol engines of the same capacity, greater power is obtainable because of the higher compression ratio that can be employed and the greater degree of ignition advance.

Sparking-plug life is also improved, the mileage between replacements being extended from the normal maximum of 12,000 miles to 24,000-32,000 miles. Absence of lead additives in the fuel gives longer silencer life.

In comparison with engines running on either petrol or diesel fuel, lubricatingoil Consumption is substantially reduced. Mileage between changes averages 16,000, whereas an oil engine has to be refilled after 6,000 miles. The 1.p.g. unit is much. quieter in operation than the oil engine, and does not discharge noxious fumes.

Other operational merits of 1.p.g. include absence of moisture in the fuel

system,.' and the ease with which the tank can be filled withOut wastage of file!.

Vaporizer-refulator equipment was' . originally the weakest link in the sygerri.'. Improvements in design have however,' substantially reduced the cost of main

tenance.

If the necessary safety 'measures are taken in the storage and handling of 1.p.g., it is considered that it is as safe as; or safer than, other engine fuels. "Beeatise of the thick shell of the storage tank, there is slender likelihood of rupturing the tank in an accident.

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Organisations: Chicago Transit Authority
People: S. D. Forsythe

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