THE A.A. COAL-GAS COMPETITION.
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The Automobile Association is very disappointed over the result of its £1,000 coal-gas competition, which it inaugurated early in 1918. Every effort was made by the Association to encourage would-be competitors. The announcement of the offer aroused considerable interest all over the world, and entries were received from India, Australia, and the United States, as well as from the fighting fronts in France and Salonica. The date for receiving entries was extended to January 31st, 1919, but notwithstanding this extension careful examination of the particulars sent in showed that only 11 specifications appeared to conform with the conditions laid down. These cora
petitors were requested to forward •their plants for testing purposes on or before May 6th, but not one apparatus was yecdived in spite of the date Of entry being still further delayed. , The competition was encouraged because of the great drawbacks of the •gas being carried at. or near atmospheric pressure, This meant bulky eontainers of short. life and limited capacity; therefore, the conditions laid down for the .competition called for an installation capable of carrying under compression a charge of coal-gas sufficient to run a medium-powered vehicle a distance of 50 miles, the space to be occupied by the gas container not to exceed 19 cubic ft.,
and the weight not to exceed 140 lb. To ensure moderate cost, the retail price of £20, or an annual hiring charge of £5, was fixed, whilst the material necessary for the plant WU to be of a nature easily obtained in sufficient quantities and capable of being installed by ordinary motor vehicle repairers. Another important condition was that the expense of establishing and working. the plant for_charging the containers bo such as not to add to the cost of the gas fuel to the user more than 3d, for such amount of gas as is equivalent in propelling power on a motor vehic'e to one gallon of petrol.