Opinions from Others.
Page 16
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The Editor invites correspondeiv e on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should be on one side of the Paper only, and type-written by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for the views exPresseo is acce led. In the case of experiences, names of towns or localities may be withheld,
Foreign Representation for Motor Manufacturers.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
1'1,084] Sir,—In your issue of the 2nd inst., we note an article under the heading " Eastern trade. An interesting decision." We are largely interested in the following markets:—The principal Mediterranean ports and islands, Egypt, The Sudan, Palestine, Syria, Asia Minor, Turkey In Asia, Northern Russia, Turkey, Turkey in Europe, and Italy. We have for many years represented a number of very important British houses, covering the above territory personally, or by our agents and travellers, twice yearly. We have, for some time past, held the opinion that commercial motors might advantageously be employed in many parts of our territory, and it has occurred to us that you might be interested to know our address. Doebtlees there are many manufacturers desirous of exploiting their products abroad with whom we might possibly be able to co-operate.—Yours faithfully, T. 1. ROBINSON AND CO. 8, Long Lane,
Aldersgate Street, E.C., 20th December, 1909.
Petrol Conveyance.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1,085] Sir,--We note, in your current issue, a report of certain evidence given before the Petroleum Commission, in the course of which evidence a reference is made to steel barrels; as the statement reaee before the Commission might lead to some misunderstanding on the score of strength, we take this opportunity of addressing a few remarks to you on the subject. As the original makers (If steel barrels, we have, of course, gone very carefully into these questions, and our many years or experience enables us to know what. such a vessel is capable of withstanding. Of course, steel barrels are not desiene4 primarily as pres
sure vessels, but, if properly welded, they will stand a very considerable pressure without leakage. In the ordinary way, one of our 50-gallon steel barrels, when new, will stand from 60 lb. to 70 lb. pressure before it shows any signs of leaking, and we have made drums of five gallons capacity and upwards which have withstood 185 lb. pressure before leakage. We had, a few years ago, about 500 of our steel barrels in a large lire. A couple of hundred of these were full of benzine, but not one of them was seriously affected by the fire: the remaining three hundred or so were apparently empty barrels, which became red-hot, but, as they must have contained a quantity of petrol gas, pressure was generated within the barrels, and one end of each was forced open sufficient to allow of the escape of the gas. These we repaired and made equal to new barrels. If the barrels had been fitted with safety devices, the whole of the benzine in the 200 barrels would have been wasted, because the heat would have melted the fusible plugs, thus allowing the petrol to escape.
In our opinion, the greatest safety is obtained,by using only packages which are thoroughly welded at the joints. Most cases of explosion occur in consequence of leaky joints. In your preceding issue you gave a report of an explosion, which was alleged to be due to the presence of petrol in the joints of a riveted tank that was supposed to be perfectly free of the spirit. With a welded tank this could not occur, because, once thoroughly cleaned out, and ventilated, there would be no crevices in which the spirit could remain secreted.
We have made many thousands of steel barrels and welded tanks for petrol, both for storage and transport, and we have never known an accident to occur in connection with any of these vessels.—Ynurs faithfully, For and on behalf of
THE STEEL BARREL CO., LTD. T. T. HEATON, Manager.