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This Is the B.C.U.R.A.

22nd May 1942, Page 23
22nd May 1942
Page 23
Page 23, 22nd May 1942 — This Is the B.C.U.R.A.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Central-draught Producer

Manufacture of 50,000 of these Producers has been Proposed by the Duke of Montrose and Approved by

the "Lords"

rENTRAL figure of the scheme pro

posed by the Duke of Montrose for the equipment of 50,000 commercial vehicles to run on producer gas, the B.C.I.I.R.A. producer, for the design of which the British Coal Utilization Research Association is responsible, like the Government's own`latest plant, has, also, became officially categorized as " hush hush."

As there was no concealment of its technical details six months ago, we fail to see the purpose of secrecy now. Rather should the industry be told as much about it as possible. Therefore, we are disclosing the nature of its interesting construction.

Characterized by several distinctive features, the " B'cura " producer, as it is familiarly known, is provided,with a gas-collecting device shaped like a cone and placed with its axis concentric with that of the cylindrical firebox-hopper unit, just above the combustion zone. The primary object is not efficient collection of gas, but control of the fuel as it falls from hopper to firebox.

Obviously, it must pass through the annular space around the cone, and in doing so, the finer pieces, and any dust there may be, according to the designers' claims, tend to take up positions near the wall, whilst larger pieces of fuel fall nearer the centre. There is a further tendency for a crater to be left in the middle. Thus the air and gas, flowing up from the base, take the path of least resistance, which is in the centre, with the result that the depression in the system is minimized and the zone of maximum heat is kept away from the walls.

Water is admitted, by a device inc,orporating a jet and venturi, to the air intake, at the side of the firebox jacket, just below the gas collector, The jacket

is spaced away from the actual firebox walls, and in travelling from the intake to the radially. placed holes, through which it passes to the .underside of the ring which supports the bulk of the fuel, the air is heated and the Water is converted to 'steam, Whilst heat is taken from the walls and from this ring, that drawn fromthe fire itself is thus reduced. eFurther protection for the ring is afforded by the. fact that clinker collects upon it. This ring is generously ribbed. underneath, is made of heat-resisting metal, and is protected by refractory material above as are the firebox walls where the heat is most intense.

Through the hole in the centre of the ring, fuel, ash and clinker fall, and build up, in pyramid form. Provision is made for introducing a poker, when necessary, to disturb accumulations of ash and clinker in and below the hole. As can be seen from the accompanying diagram, there is an outlet for such matter below the rim of an adjustable sleeve at the extreme base of the firebox, whilst the virtual floor, upon 'which rest the accumulations of spent substances, can be rotated by external means, and its load discharged into the ash pit, a radial vane aiding this operation.

For starting, a dry cross-blast is employed, the valve bringing it into action being interconnected with a valve that cuts off the supply from the main intake. Control of the water in accordance with producer temperature is effected thermostatically, and a detail that, although small, is of considerable practical importance, is the incorporation in the system of a dash' board lamp that becomes illuminated, as a warning to the driver, in the event of the feed of water to the ingoing air ceasing.


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