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New Angle on Economics of Producer Gas

15th June 1940, Page 24
15th June 1940
Page 24
Page 24, 15th June 1940 — New Angle on Economics of Producer Gas
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Prominent Operator Enabled to Continue 'Using Old Vehicle with High Petrol Cons u mp tion Rate, by Converting it to Solid

Fuel

Uj TNDER the present petrol-rationing I./scheme, old vehicles in the bigger classes with relatively inefficient engines and high unladen weights just cannot be operated. At the same time new machines are hard to obtain. Producer gas, however, comes to the rescue.

Here is a specific instance. An elderly low-loading six-wheeler, with trailing third axle, and six-cylindered 6.8-litre engine, weighing tinlasien roughly 7 tons and carrying about the same pay-load, is stated to have been running on petrol at the prohibitive consumption rate of only 44 m.p.g. It has now been equipped by Normand Garage, Ltd., Cumberland Avenue, Park Royal, London, N.W.10, with a B.V.P. gas plant made by British Vehicle Producer Gas, Ltd., 120, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1, and, we are informed, runs 125 miles to 44 cwt. of solid fuel, that is a mile per 4 lb.

The vehicle is in the service of j. Lyons and Co., Ltd., and we were afforded an opportunity of investigating its performance recently on a run of about 17 miles. It carried 6 tons of ballast and was using Suncole. Its behaviour was certainly satisfactory.

The compression has been raised from 5 to 1 to 8 to 1 and the gas plant incorporates several features of note. Two tuyeres are provided for the furnace, which can be used independently or together. We understand that the latter gives little advanteze, but that considerable benefit results from being able to change from one to the other if clinker accamulates. The operation is easily effected without shutting down the plant. If poking the fire becomes necessary, plugs above the tuyeres can be removed. Instead of relying upon a radiator for the dissipation of heat from the water in the tuyere jacket, a large cooling tank is provided.

In the gas system are the usual cooling tubes which can be by-passed, but an interesting detail is that the by-pass valve can be adjusted to vary the degree of cooling, so that the gas temperature can be regulated to within close limits. A thermometer is provided and the temperature of the gas entering the filter is normally 75 degrees C. It is proposed to include a thermostat to render the valve adjustment automatic.

A large hopper is an integral part of the producer and has a capacity for 5 cwt, of low-temperature coke of which 44 c‘‘t, can be used. A full charge of a mixture of Progasite and Suncole scales about 7 cwt.

In our presence the plant was started from cold in under two minutes. When on the road a cruising speed of 25 m.p.h. was maintained on the level. Accelerations, as for example after the negotiation of a roundabout, were mainly achieved, in top gear. with a little petrol enrichment, effected by using the hand throttle control, and 'with gas in third gear. In considering these points it must be borne in mind that the machine was operating with a fairly high axle ratio; at 25 m.p.h. in third gear the engine was running by no means unduly fast.

In view of this fact the performance was creditable, and the smooth running and freedom from pinking or thudding (both noticeable when the petrol throttle was opened) seemed largely to compensate for the lower calorific value of the fuel.

We have little doubt that J. Lyons and Co., Ltd., will now be able to continue the economic operation of this old vehicle, thereby demonstrating another argument in favour of the solid-fuel movement.

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Locations: London

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