Carbon-bisulphide Goes by Road
Page 31
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'THE transport, in bulk, of such a I highly inflammable chemical as carbon-bisulphide is governed by strict regulations issued by the Home Offiee. and vehicles and tanks used for the purpose have to conform with certain design features which, for the most par'!, are directed against the possibility of fire.
In the accompanying illustration shown a Dennis Max machine having a 14-ft. wheelbas, as supplied against M.O.W.T. licence. The power unit is the standard Dennis four-cylindered oil engine and the machine was supplied through a Dennis distributor—Old Trafford Motor Engineering Co., Ltd.-to Hardman and Holden, Ltd., Mile: Platting, Manchester. '
The tank shown in the illustration is specially designed for the exclusive carriage of carbon-bisulphide, which chemical, by the way, is used, principally, in the manufacture of rayon by the Viscose process. It will he noticed that there are two domes, one at each end of the tank, and that a number of cylinders is carried at the back of the vehicle. Actually, the tank is divided 'into two identical compartments, from which the carbonbisulphide is displaced by an inert gas such as carbon-dioxide or nitrogen,
which is carried in the cylinders just referred to.
The measures taken against fire are as complete as it is possible to make them, even to the extent of providing a chain for conducting any static electricity to earth. There is a fire screen between the cab and the tank, and this is taken to within 1 ft. of the ground. Other precautions juclude
the carrying of the batteries in the front portion of the vehicle, and the provision of a sand-box so that a fire could he dealt with immediately.
We understand that the average mileage covered by this type of vehicle is 25,000 a year, and that the operator mentioned was the first manufacturer of carbon-bisulphide in this country to adopt bulk delivery by tank wagon.