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Practical Use of Gas.

21st September 1916
Page 15
Page 15, 21st September 1916 — Practical Use of Gas.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Barton's of Beeston Find It Economical, Clean and Handy. The Gas Is Not Compressed.

Andrew Barton Bros., of Beeston, are as well known to the trade in the Midlands as Daimler or Leyland is to the industfy as a whole. They are large garage proprietors, and run several useful omnibus services, besides, in more 'normal times, pleasure trips on chars-a-bancs.

' Recent troubles over petrol supplies, and the necessity, for national purposes, of continuing their bus .services, which mainly convey munition workeis to and from their places of employment, caused the firm to cast about for other means of supplying power. . That gas would serve as fuel they well knew. How to stoke it on the vehicles for use was the problem. At first a collapsable framework with canvas covering, built in the form of a bellows, was tried. Although this served the purpose, it was defective in practical application owing to the area it presented, in all directions, to the wind. The present style of reservoir, a siinple bag, was tried with some misgiving, as it was feared that it would have a tendency to roll. As a matter of fact,. the • " gasbag " is a most pronounced success. It gives to the wind, presenting a streamline form. This gasbag, a simply-made sack of canvas with rubber insertion, rendering it water and gastight, holds 450 cubic feet. It is roped or strapped to the roof of 'the char-abanes, and is filled by. coupling_an inlet branch to' the gas meter. The same branch serves for attachment of the flexible pipe conveying the gas to the engine. The fuel is conveyed to a point just above the engine throttle. An ordinary cock close to• the engine controls the supply, and this is regulated by a lever directly coupled to the throttle-valve lever, so that the gas supply is increased or diminished in accordance -with engine speed.

The advantages of gas as a fuel, used in this fashion, are many. It is clean ; there is no waste by spilling; the shape of the bag gives an immediate indication of the remain ing supply of fuel, while also serving as a perpetual check upon the relative efficiencies of different drivers; the engine gives off the same power, and can be made to run more slowly ; it starts easier, and requires less lubricating oil owing to the absence of petrol. to wash it away. Moreover, judging by results, the actual engine economy must be considerable to judge by the small volume of gas consumed when the wagon is in the hands of a careful driver.

The disadvantage is, of course, the short mileage possible per charge of gas. Actual running costs, considering that of fuel alone, and leaving economies of oil, etc., out of the question., are strongly in• favour of this fuel. Arrangements are being made so that the time occupied in filling shall be three minutes.

Barton l3ros. pay ls. d. per 1000 cubic ft, of gas, being large users for industrial purposes. The mileage pei 1000 varies largely with the efficiency per driver, but averages 30, the equivalent of one halfpenny per mile. Calculating on a basis of 8 miles per gallon of petrol—a conservative estimate with much stopping and starting— this means that to compete petrol would have to be obtained at 4d. per gallon.

As concerning the weight of the receptacle, it floats when filled. and its cost—Barton Bros., Beeston, are arranging to sell them at 215 each.

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