Enterprise with Alternative Fuels
Page 31
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
E are glad to observe e energy which is W, th being shown by the Coal Utilisation Coun E are glad to observe e energy which is being shown by the Coal Utilisation Coun cil in encouraging the employment of homeproduced fuels. The demonstration of various types of vehicle running on different fuels coming into this category, which this body has just conducted, should do much towards bringing this vitally important subject before both the general public and those more immediately concerned in the industry. Naturally, the Council is particularly interested in the furtherance of the employment of coal and its by-products, but these cover nearly all the alternative fuels which are likely to be produced in this country in any great quantity, unless we suddenly find ourselves in possession of an oil field capable of giving an effective output— although we are afraid that it will be a long time before such an event is likely to occur.
Every British national must feel sympathetic towards the labour conditions in' our coal industry. There should be no miners singing in the streets of London and elsewhere, and if suitable fuels can be obtained from coal in the requisite quantities and at reasonable prices, then every 'encouragement should continue to be given to any move in this direction.
Coal-petrol has already proved that it is quite satisfactory as a fuel, even for the comparatively delicate engines of aircraft. Coal itself can be used most efficiently in that fine vehicle—the modern steam wagon. Benzole, the great merits of which were first pointed out by The Motor, has already won its position in the opinions of users, and its production might well be developed on a larger scale, whilst there would appear to be great possibilities in respect of the use of compressed coal gas.
There is a distinct tendency for important concerns to turn attention once more to the employment of battery-electric vehicles, of which new and lighter models of high efficiency and reasonable price have lately been placed on the market. Such machines are reliable, clean and noiseless, and are eminently suitable for short-distance work, especially, where there are many stops.
• Interest is also increasing in the light suction-gas producer as applied to commercial vehicles. Most of the many plants of this type that have been developed in the past have called for a considerable amount of attention from the driver, and this weighed against them as compared with the extreme simplicity of the average petrol-propelled vehicle. It Was essential that they, should never be neglected, because their efficient working depended almost entirely upon the cleanliness, not only of the producer itself, but of the gas-cooling and filtering apparatus.
To be successful, gas producers must not be too sensitive to variable weather and fuel conditions ; they must be compact, permit considerable mileage without the need for much cleaning and be moderate in price.