AEC. Collaborates in H.S.Q. Developments
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Gifford Chassis, Employing Gas Generator, Starting Today on Run to Scotland. Suggestions for Rendering Vehicles Adaptable for Alternative Fuels
AGILFORD 1935 CF 176 32-seater chassis has been modified by Gilfords (H.S.G.), Ltd., North Circular Road, London, N.W.10, to operate on producer gas. It is to make a demonstration run to Scotland, starting today, and, we understand, is likely subsequently to be put into service by a public service vehicle operator.
Considerable interest attaches to this machine by reason of the significant fact that it is powered by an A.E.C. engine, modified by the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., working in cooperation with the H.S.G. concern, to run on gas. This is a Regal 7.4-litre unit bored out to 8.1 litres and with altered induction ports, manifolcling and sparking-plug apertures.
With the object of giving the vehicle a maximum range of 300 miles, it is equipped with a gas generator incorporating a very large hopper; enough anthracite can be accommodated in this for such a distance. On a lighter fuel the figure would be approximately 200 miles.
The large engine is necessitated because producer gas ranks as a poor fuel. It develops a maximum of 85 b.h.p. and at 600-900 r.p.m. exerts its maximum torque of 270 lb.-ft. Plans are afoot to develop a unit of 91--10
litres, giving 105-110 , which should be adequate for a fuTsized passenger vehicle,
Positioned at the rear of the chassis, the producer occupies a space equivalent to that required to seat two persons. The stays, shown in the accompanying picture, are, of course, only temporary fitments, They will be removed when the body is put in position. It will be observed that there is a radiator on the side of the hopper. This is a part of the Tuyiere watercooling system.
A representative of this paper, this week made a short journey on the chassis, laden to about 11 ton in excess of the full load it would carry in normal service. He received the impression that, in respect of performance, the vehicle is the equal of a firstclass comparable, petrol machine. In this connection it should be noted that a five-speed gearbox is installed. The power developed appeared to be wholly adequate for all, save abnormal, speeds and hill-climbing needs.
The success of this producer-gas vehicle will, mark a definite step in the development in this country of machines capable of running on alternative fuels, in which matter, Major J. A. Macdonald, 1).8.0., MC., chairman of Gilfords (H.S.G.), Ltd., is keenly intereSting himself. In his view the aim should be to have available, against the outbreak of war, a large number of vehicles capable of being readily adapted to run efficiently on any of a number of fuels which would still be available if the supply of liquid fuel failed.
In schemes for the achievement of this end, he points out, the underlying principle is to have an engine large enough to operate satisfactorily on the poorest of these fuels. Such a power unit can be run on rich fuel provided that the air supply is restricted and the mixture adjusted. He maintains that no other alteration is necessary. Cylinder compression depends upon atmospheric pressure; if the 'equivalent of a low atmospheric pressure be created artificially, by a restriction in the induction pipe, then rich fuel can be used with entire success in an engine with piston displacement and combustion-chamber space giving a compression ratio much higher than normal.
For compressed town gas, the restric
tion would be diminished; for producer gas it would be removed.
In the same way, provision would be made for accommodating gas cylinders, or brackets fixed for mounting the producer, filters, etc. These could be easily detached and stored so long as it was preferable to run on petrol.
The idea can also be applied to operation in countries where high altitudes are usual and a variety of fuels is available. The apparatus could be arranged so that the driver would have to do little more than turn a tap when he wished to switch over from solid to liquid fuel or vice versa, or make the alteration needed to compensate for change of atmospheric pressure.
In view of the corresponding measures that German engineers are adopting and which have been outlined in this paper, Major Macdonald's ideas are of high interest and importance.