Gas Experts Urge Curb to Wasted Wealth
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AN interim report of the Gas Traction Development Committee, formed in October, 1939, has just been published. The object of the committee is summarized as follows:—" To investigate the sources and supplies of gaseous fuels in Great Britain and to make the information available in such a form that these gaseous fuels can be exploited in war and in peace thereafter."
The cormnittec comprises Messrs: J. A. Greene-, G. M. Glass, J. Alsop, S. G. Watson, H. V. Senior, C. Ridley, J. Orrnd and E. H: Cunningham Craig. Mr. Greene is chairman' and Mr. Ridley secretary.
This report deals, in the main, with' methane, large quantities of which, it states, are immediately accessible, adding that, at the present, no use lias been made of them. This. gas is
describedas having greater efficiency than petrol in internal-combustion engines and as presenting no greater technical difficulties than coal gas or its derivatives. As has been stated in The Commercial Motor on more than one occasion in the past, the supplies of methane, according to this report, are greater than has hitherto been assumed. Quantitative resources include coal mines, coke ovens, natural accumulations and sewage works. .
. With regard to the output from coal mines, some collieries have blowers issuing upwards of 500,000 cubic ft. of pure' gas per day. Over 1,000 Cokeoven installations are in operation and the quantity of methane available from this source and at present wasted is estimated at 10,000,000 cubic ft. per day.
So far as natural gas is concerned, the report quotes the output of the drilling at DaIkeith, which yields over 2,000,000 cubic ft per day. It is probable that this will be Maintained for many years. Four sewage works in the London area now produce methane, 'the aggregate quantity being 2,000,000 cuipic. ft. per day. The daily productions at the outbreak. 'of War, by Mogden, Croydon, Dagenham and Sutton are quoted.
Current methods of using the gas as fuel for automobiles include carrying it at low pressure in a fabric container and compressing it into -high-pressure cylinders. In the report cOmplete cost figures are quoted for the latter of these two systems. They are as Compressors, £7,000; storage accumulators, £1,800; buildings, etc., £1,000; contingencies, £980; total, £10,780. The above is headed " expenditure." 'Under " costs " are given:—Interest, .£539; operating costs, 21,250; labour
-Charges., £.1,850; total, £3,100. The .corrimittee .has enlarged upon the financial aspect in some detail.
It has little to say about the question of availability of cylinders, which probably constitutes a matter of difficulty.
Having dealt with these two practical .and Ipown applications, it summarizes the question of liquefaction. No technical difficulties in the actual process of liquefaction are found by the committee. It refers to .progress made in this direction in other parts of the world, but adds 'that none of the systems referred to has been effectively demonstrated in this country up to the present. It considers, however, that the utilization of `methane In liqiiid form -is the most desirable method 'of application. It understands that the cost of liquefaction is less than 3d.
per gallon and that one gallon of liquid' can be produced from 100 cubic ft: of gas.
The report states that evidence is available to show that an ordinary petrol tank, suitably lagged, would serve as a satisfactory container.
Noteworthy items of the conclusions drawn include that methane is a satis factory and economical fuel; that it can be piped from the place of origin to the site of consumption; that it can be compressed and, transported; that carbon dioxide can be removed from it where necessary; that in compressed, form it is suitable for use in any type of automobile, preferably commercial motors, where the range is limited; that liquefaction is the most attractive scheme, but that research into this application is necessary; and that, as a source of power, it is notably' inexpensive.