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Experiences with Coal-gas. No. 1.

24th May 1917, Page 9
24th May 1917
Page 9
Page 10
Page 9, 24th May 1917 — Experiences with Coal-gas. No. 1.
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Interesting Comparisons from Kidderminster.

We are much indebted to Mr., Percy Dougall, Assoc.M.Inst.C.E., engineer and manager of the Kidderminster Gas Co., for the accompanying particulars and photographs of his' company's 30-owt. Vulcan commercial motor, which is run on coal-gas. We hope that the particulars which we are able to give (and additional particulars Concerning the successful use of coal-gas for a variety of purposes in different parts of the country, Which information we have under preparation for publication) will prove helpful in the furtherance of a programme that was initiated by ussome 10 months ago. Users who are not averse to taking a little trouble, to help themselves, in respect of a home-produced alternative fuel as a substitute for petrol, have much to gain by adopting coal-gas in part, if notexclusively.

Under Id. Per Mile for Fuel with 30.-cwt. Load.

Coal-gas at Kidderminster is by no means cheap, as compared with rates for some areas in the country. Whatwe may term the wholesale price is 2s. 8d. per 1000 cubic ft. for a minimum. consumption of 50,000 cubic ft. in a quarter. This is the war price, we admit. It compares with is. 4d. per 1000 Cubic ft. at Beeston, Notts., which latter figure i, of course, an abnormally-low one. The Kidderminster price is by no means as high as that in many parts of the country, and we are willing to regard 2s. 8d. as about the mean rate for the present_ time. Paying this figure, the cost in Kidderininster is under id. per mile with a full load of 30 cwt.

230 Cubic Ft. Enough for Nine Milos.

The flexible holder (supplied by Messrs. Andrew Barton Bros., of Beeston, Notts.) is a small one. The dimensions are approximately 6 ft. in diameter and 9 ft. in length, but the containing cradle on the top of the driver's cab slightly restricts its full expansion, so that the bag is never full to its limit. The working capacity is approximately 230 cubic ft, and this has been found enough to run the vehicle 91 miles empty,. or 84 miles when loaded. The -Vulcan 30-cwt. lorry, over the same roads, when running on petrol, is capable of travelling-about 91 miles to the gallon fully loaded. It is, therefore, seen that, according to Kidderminster results, some 260 cubic ft. Of gas are equivalent to one gallon of petrol.

The lorry is used chiefly for the delivery of coke in the town. It is always possible to obtain a. back load of coal from the railway station, if the delivery-point for the coke is in that vicinity.

Too Much Air Impairs Power.

There are hills both within the town and round it. Mr. Dougail tells us that he had. considerab A lerouble at first over hill-climbing when running on coal-gas. He found that this was due to the consequences of too much air, and got rid of this temporary difficulty by adding a second gauze in the carburetter air-inlet —a Zenith is used. He then found praetisally no difference between the power when using coal-gas and when using petrol. When the coal-gas is all used, and the petrol cock opened, so that petrol flows to the float chamber, which is only necessary on long runs during which the coal-gas is exhausted, this second gauze must be removed, unless the risk of sooting up the plugs, due to shortage of air when using petrol, is accepted.

Tests on a Hilly Route.

One of the routes on which tests were made fer hill-climbing and consumption, and duringone of which it was. found that any trouble in respect of power was due to too much air, concerned a run from

the centre of Kidderminster, along the Bridgnorth Road, round Blakebrook, and on to Bewdley. The return trip from Bewdley was via Stourport. Anybody who cares to refer -to the appropriate contour maps can at once see that the gradients included are extremely severe, and certainly steeper than those which are found on any average motorbus route in the country. It was along these roads that the consumption tests were made, both light and loaded. For the loaded tests, the contents of the flexible holder were used up at a point on the road between Stourport and Kidderminster, about one mile from the latter town, where the G.W.R. loop line passes the road at Oldington Wood. On filling up with coal-gas again at that point, a run of nine miles under load was made, straight 'out• on the Britignorth Road, tip Shatterford Hill (turning at a point 5i miles from Kidderminster), the gas supply failing at a point 31 miles on the return journey.

Control and Re-charging.

The ordinary arrangement, for which • Messrs. Barton Bros. are responsible, and which was illustrated in our issue of the 2nd November last (reproduced herewith), is retained at Kidderminster. It will be observed that the gas is led to' the induction pipe between the throttle valve and the inlet valves of the engine, there being linkedcontrol of the throttle lever and the gas-cock lever.

Re-charging is, of course, dependent upon access to a gas supply. A flexible gas-holder can be filled from any ordinary main, or from any ordinary meter, although not so quickly as if a little more pressure available to force the gas into the holder. The photographs which we reproduce include two views of the charging process, and two views (enlarged) of the simple form of valve. Filling at Kidderminster is done from a 2-in, pipe at a pressure of 6 ins. of water, the 230 cubic ft. of gas passing from the pipe to the holder in three minuteS. One: view of the valve (No. 5) shows it closed, whilst another (Nor 6) shows it dissembled. It will be observed that, on rotation of the inner member of the valve to the " off " position, it can be locked, whilst in any other position the clip on the inner member catches on the wiring on the outer member, thus preventing the inner cylinder from shaking out. Both cylinders are of rubber-proofed cotton fabric.

Local Satisfaction.

The Kidderminster company finds that its -Vulcan practically never runs out of gas on the road. The average journey is six miles long—three miles out from the works. If the driver happens to run out of gas, he can turn on the petrol and run any short intervening distance. Were it a long one, the extra gauze should be taken out of the air-inlet pipe, as explained above.

Thu Engineer's Opinion.

We cannot do better than qUote the opinion of Mr. Dougall verbatim as to his general views upon the change of system. He writes :—" It is perfectly satisfactory, and perfectly simple. The motorists who have seen it have marvelled at the simplicity of the arrangement-and the economy. I shall certainly only drive any motors we may possess in the 'future by gas and gas alone. The bag itself is unsightly, and I think this is the only objection that can be

made against the whole idea. The first week or two we were running we were naturally the centre of great curiosity, but this has died down, and our. motoelorry creates no unusual interest whatever at present. During the first day or so, we had complaints that horses were giving trouble wherever it went, but I have not heard of any complaints for some weeks."

No Rigid Containers Used as Yet.

We may record, in conclusion, that Mr. Dougall has not been able, so far, to experiment with rigid containers. The short distances which his Vulcan lorry is normally called upon to rim have rendered it unnecessary for him to seek to use compressed gas. His personal opinion, subject to exceptions for special cases, is that the weight of the containers will outweigh the advantages of greater storage. As to enriching the 'gas by allowing it to ris-e through .a column of 'petrol or other hydrocarbon, Mr. Dougall has not suffered from any lack .of power, and he therefore feels that there is neither inducement nor occasion for him to introduce the additional fitting..

We are happy to be able to state that it will give Mr. Dougall pleasure to answer any queries that may be addressed to him, or to afford opportunities for inspection to intending users of coal-gas for propulsive purposes on common roads. All owners of commercial motors whose businesses are in the area of the Kidderminster supply, or whose vehicles at any time run into the district, should avail themselves of this offer.

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Locations: Stourport

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