Experiences with Coal-gas—No. VI.
Page 4
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A Good Start in Scotland.
• Scotland has not been slow to turn to account the claims of ,coalgas on the score of economy. The first instance of such use with which we have to deal north of the Tweed concerns vehicles which are owned by the Caledonian Automobile 'Services, Ltd. Messrs. Paterson and Steel chartered account:kits, of Merchants' House .Buildings, 30,. George Square, Glasgow, are largely. responsible for the business working of this undertaking. We are indebted to Mr. John Steel, secretary of the company, for the information which we include in the sixth article of our series.
• Delays over Initiation.
We gather that the Caledonian Automobile Services, Ltd., had hoped to instal its first flexible gasholder, supplied by Messrs. Andrew Barton Bros., of Beeston, Notts., as far back as April last. The-company was, however:, considerably handicapped by labour shortage, and by the consequential difficulties which lie in the way of ready adaptation to any change of praCtice. Experiments had to be made with the holders before they were found to be in the best working order, but the company is now so well satisfied with the results that it has equipped three of its vehicles.
A Saving of 50 per Cent. on Fuel.
Close observation' so far as it has bee is possible to establish an exact check, indicates that a maximum of 270 cubic ft. of coal-gas is the equivalent of a gallon of petrol in these Scottish-owned motorbuses. The local rate per 1000 cubic ft. is 2s. 3d., hence, the cost per motor':
bus mile, for fuel, works out at approximately Lad. Its report t6 us, a few days ago, was, in the following words :—" They are all working quite satisfactorily, and at a considerable saving—approximately 50 per cent."
This Glasgow undertaking has not yet made any attempt to use rigid contain,ers for gas under pressure. The difficulties of obtaining supplies are, no doubt, one reason, whilst the proved success of the Barton system of using gas at atmospheric pressure, as illustrated, is no doubt another good reason.
No Need for Enrichment.
We are pleased to find here further testimony to the success of coal-gas on hilly routes. Mr. Steel tells us that they have numerous hills, but that they "find no trouble with the coal-gas" on them. There are now several contradictions on record from users, to the effect that there is no_disadvantageous reduction in power, as compared with petrol. Enrichment of the gas has not been tried. There has been no necessity to make the experiment. Such experiments as were made principally: concerned the air adjustment ; it was found necessary to give a little more air than was originally provided. The gas-cock and -throttle-lever are interconnected.
Interchangeable Use of Petrol.
The Catedonian Automobile Services, Ltd., serves routes upon which regular motorbus services are provided. The company is. at, therefore, liable to the provisions of the Order in. Council of August, 1916. The companys drivers find, in the event of the exhaustion of the coal-gas on the road, that they can -turn 'over to petrol without trouble, although sometimes they are apt to allow the' engine to stop before noticing that the gas is on the point of exhaustion.
Leakage from the Holders.
This user tells us that there is Undoubtedly a certain quantity of gas Lost by leakage, either through the material of which the flexible holder is made, or through some leak at a joint. They have not been able to satisfy themselves how the loss occurs, but the matter is still under investigation. Even after the leakage, whatever it is, the. economy is 50 per cent.
Holding-down Arrangements.
Practical experience with flexible holders has indicated to the Caledonian Automobile: Services, Ltd., the necessity for precautions in regard to : (a) securing the bags thoroughly, to prevent their .shifting from their fixings during a high wind; and (b) the advance inspection of any route upon Which such vehicles are to run, in order to ensure that no overhanging branches will catch the holder.
Mr. Steel tells us he is not yet able to form any opinion as to the life of a flexible Fas-holder under the weather conditions which rule in Scotland, but he repeats, in the same sentence, his conclusive opinion that "the coal-gas scheme, generally speaking, is working quite Satisfactorily." The extent of the economy has already been shown, both for the service under notice, and older ones.
Local Interest.
We understand that the greatest interest is being evinced in and around Glasgow, and at all points of the routes served. The Glasgow Corporation, some months ago, as we reported at the time, appointed a special sub-committee of its Gas Works Committee, in order to investigate all possible 'developments in connection 'with the 'sale and uFAt of• coal-gasfor propulsion on common roads. We feel sure that the forthcoming publication of a report on the whole matter, at the instance of the British Commercial Gas Association, will help forward the cause of coal-gas in Glasgow as much as anywhere else, and not least of all by possibilities in connection with compression up to reasonable pressures—say, 375 lb. ner sq. in.