A Long Run on Producer-gas.
Page 8
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OUR recent article dealing with a test run on a Leyland vehicle fitted with the latest model Tulloch-Reading gas-producer, which appeared in our issue dated April 20th, created great interest and, therefore, the results of a -further run of much greater length which have now been brought to our notice should be valuable.
The journey was from London to Wolverhampton and Leyland, Lanes, returning via Burton-on-Trent, demonstrations being made at each place, the time occupied being from Thursday, April 15th, to Saturday, April 24th, inclusive. The gross weight of the vehicle was 8 tons 10 cwt., the useful load approximately 4 tons 5 cwt., and the total distance covered 525 miles. The whole of the coal consumed was carried on the vehicle; it amounted to 12 cwt., whilst two gallons of petrol were used for starting purposes, etc., the total fuel cost amounting to a 10s. 4d. The avetage weight of coal used per C24 mile, including all losses in lighting up and clearing out on nine occasions, was 2.56 lb., a slight improvement on the figure we obtained -previously, wlaich was 2.58 lb. The cost of this coal per mile was 1.1. The approximate cost of the same journey if petrol had been used would have been in 2s.
During the first day a distance of 123 miles was run in 8 hrs. 25 mine., and as proof that the producer bad not deteriorated in any way, the last day's journey of 127 miles was made in 8 hrs. 30 mine. A special note was made of the outward and inward journeys between London and Dunstable. The 34 mites on the outward journey took 2 hrs. 20 mine., and on the inward journey 2 hrs. 6 mine.
Repacking of the scrubbers with fresh wood-wool was carried out twice during the whole distance; this is a job taking about 20 mins. and costing about 2d. for material. The dust extractor was also emptied occasionally. Some trouble was experienced with the temporary chain drive to the producer but, apart from this, there was only one involuntary stop, -which was due to a cessation of the coal feed which was not noticed, with the result that the fire bed became too thin. The time lost, however, was less than five minutes. if the run had been made in the Colonies, using locally made charcoal as fuel, the comparative costs would have been RS follow:—
£ it d. 12 cwt. of charcoal at £1 10s.
per ton ... ... 018 0 2 gallons of petrol at 4s.
per gallon ... 08 0 For suction gas ... 11 6 0 With ordinary petrol alone the quantity would have been: 105 gallons of petrol at 4s.
per gallon ... ... £21 0 0 a difference which is almost startling.