New Book on Methane
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From the LC. Engine Angle
An Authoritative Work on a Subject About Which Knowledge is Rather Scarce
THE attractions of methane as a fuel, for transport are so great that a new book, entitled " Methane; Its Production and Utilization," by J. P. Lawrie, Ph.D., F.I.C.S. (price 6s., published by Chapman and Hall, Ltd.), comes as a welcome contribution to the sparse knowledge that is available to the man in the (motor) street.
The suggestion put forward by the author of the need for a national survey of the potential supplies of methane is opportune; the phrases ." we assume" and "stated to be available" qualify ing some of his figures, emphasize this fact. Regret is expressed at the need• for the combustion of coal for methane production; yet there is admittedly no coal shortage, and it would certainly help the national economy.
Six pages devoted to " Compression" and one only to " Liquefaction " indicate the state of knowledge of the two: . subjects. Their comparative importance' is actually the reverse.
Concerning octane numbers, upon which the horse-power on the bench test depends, Dr. Lawrie does not give us much information. It will probably turn out to be much higher than is generally supposed.
Methane can he synthesized to the more complex gaseous and liquid compounds. This is referred to by the author as a reversal of the " cracking" process, which breaks down the complex to the simpler compounds. This synthesis would have the effect of reducing the octane number of the resulting fuel, whereas research efforts are devoted to increasing this number.
It is to be hoped that this book is but a forerunner of others from Dr. Lawrie's pen.