The Bowser System of Petrol Storage.
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A good deal has been said on the subject. of bulk storage of motor spirit. It is admittedly a mattef which will cause the user to ask himself whether his fuel account is satisfactory, arid whether the storage of petrol, benzolc, etc., receives the amount of supervision and care which are devoted to other branches of expenditure, some of which are of relatively less importance, although it may possibly so happen that checks arc more easily applied in those instances.
It will generally be admitted that the ordinary methods of handling and storing motor spirit are hardly satisfactory for ensuring economy and preventing waste, not only from the possibility of petrol being spilled whilst being distributed to the fuel tank, but also owing to loss from evaporation.
Storage of motor spirit in underground tanks, combined with an efficient system. of handling and distribution, has been put forward as an absolute specific for the prevention of waste, and as practically the only means whereby the user is able to keep his petrol account as accurately as he keeps his cash account.
A firm which has gone thoroughly into the matter of bulk storage of motor spirit is S. F. Bowser and Co., of 32, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., who have specialized in oil and other liquid storage and distribution for many years, being first established in 1885. The plant which they market is claimed to ensure the minimum of waste and deterioration.
We have, on many occasions, directed our readers' attention to this company's system, but recently a representative paid a visit to the showrooms in Victoria. Street in order to become more fully acquainted with Bowser me.thads for the inclusion of a description in these columns.
We. there saw a large range of pumps ready for delivery, and the company's engineer described to us at some length the particular features of their system. Four types of Bowser pumps are marketed, one of which is used for the portable class of plant. One outfit is known as type No. 2041, and has been designed for the measuring and handling of motor spirit for public garages, omnibus companies, automobile factories, and, in fact, any place where petrol or other spirit is continually being handled and sold. In service the pump is placed at amost convenient point and connected to the storage-tank, and by it the spirit can be pumped, measured, metered, and, what is very important, filtered, before it gets to the fuel tank.
The device takes Up very little ground room—less than 2 .sq. ft.— and. its heightis 4 ft. 7 ins., so that it will be readily understood that the equipment can beinstalled where space is limited. The machine is constructed so that upon one complete stroke of the piston one gallon of spirit is extracted from the main supply. Adjustments, however, are provided so that the stroke can be regulated: to withdraw a half-gallon, one quart or pint, as may bedesired, a suitable indicator and locking device being provided.
There is also a trip indicator fitted which registers each gallon of fuel passing through the pump, and, in addition to this, a. discharge register is incorporated which indicates any individual demand on the pump over and above the numbers registered on the gal lon meter. For example, should 10 gallons be required, this discharge register will record up to 10, thus affording a cheek which is absolutely beyond dispute.
An important feature of the Bowser pump is the filter which is fit ted. This device ensures absolutely-pure spiritonly being conveyed to the tank, water or other impurities being entirely removed. The main, body of the filter is provided with a coil, and the liquid', in passing through the chamber in which this coil is situated, is sub-. jected to a whirling motion, and all impurities are deflected o.fi the coil by centrifugal force, dropping to the bottom of the receptacle. The spirit. itself then passes through two strainers, so it will be seen that there is little possibility of any foreign matter passing td the petrol tank. To clean the filter it is only necessary tounscrew one small tap, close the, one situated in the supply-pipe, and turn the handle of the pump, when the :movement of the piston in the main cylinder will immediately displace any matter which may have collected in the filter body. It is possible to measure, record and filter petrol at the rate of 8 to 10 gallons per minute. Each pump is sealed by the Standards Department of the Board of Trade-.
The constructional features -of the second pump manufactured, type No. 41, comply approximately with those of theprevious model, except in a few minor details.
The third pump which is marketed is catalogued as type No. 241. This is built for out-of-door use, and it is generally used where there is no shed or other protection from the weather, -iron doors being fitted, which entirely enclose all parts of the mechanism. It is of stout
construction, and as all the working parts, including filter, meter, hose and nozzle (except .when these are in use) are properly encased, this pump proves very satisfactory for cutside installations. Bowser pumps are approved by the licensing authorities and insurance coin_ panies. A portable plant, included in our illustrations, is also listed. This type takes the form of a fireproof portable vehicle for the handling or the spirit. The reeeptaele holds 50 gallons, and the pump measures the petrol directly into the car tank, a hose and nozzle being used for this purpose. Of particular advantage is the fact that it saves the • trouble of maineuvring ears in the works or garage, which is a consideration where floor space is limited.
The construction of supply tanks is an eqaally-important factor in the matter of bulk storage, and this company has thoroughly investigated this part of the business, with the result that it guarantees all tanks to he quite evaporationproof. Tanks to hold from 300 to 4000 gallons are built of steel electrically welded, above which capacity the receptacles are riveted. All joints are thoroughly tested, and tihe tanks are twice. coated with Aspha,lturn. The venting has had special consideration, as, .of course, provision must be made to admit air to replace the liquid drawn from the tank.
In. aVaion to the manufacture of storage plant, for. motor
this company does a considerable amount or b-u sine.ss with equipment specially suited for lubricating oil, paint and varnish storage and dharihution.