From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Question and answer summary regarding the properties and effects of Ethyl Petrol.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 150\1\ scan0304 | |
| Date | 12th April 1930 guessed | |
| ETHYL—THE FACTS SUMMARISED 23. Is Ethyl Petrol Safe? A Committee was appointed by the British Government in 1928 specifically to investigate this question. After exhaustive enquiry, this Committee, in making its Interim Report, stated that there was no evidence to show that the use of Ethyl Petrol as a motor fuel involves more danger to health than the use of ordinary petrol. The Final Report was issued in 1930, after an extensive investigation, in which is stated that Ethyl is safe, and there is no hazard to anyone coming into contact with it, irrespective of his walk in life. 24. Is Ethyl Petrol explosive? No more so than ordinary petrol, and you doubtless are familiar with the reason for the laws which govern the storage of all petrols and for the “No Smoking” regulations in every garage. “ETHYL” Fluid does not increase the explosive force of any petrol. 25. Is there a different odour from the exhaust of a car using Ethyl Petrol? In rare cases there may be a faint odour which is somewhat different from that of ordinary exhaust gas. However, it is not unpleasant, and no more harmful than ordinary petrol exhaust. 26. Does the dye in Ethyl Petrol ever separate out into the fuel system? No. But the dirt and other foreign matter which get into any petrol and eventually into the 8 ETHYL—THE FACTS SUMMARISED 12. Does Ethyl Petrol form carbon? No more than any other fuel and less than most, since it is prepared from the highest grade of motor spirit. The bad effects of carbon formation on the running of the engine are corrected by Ethyl Petrol, and carbon accumulation can therefore be ignored for a very much longer period. 13. Is it necessary to clean out the carbon in the combustion chamber when Ethyl Petrol is used? It is desirable to remove carbon occasionally, but at very much less frequent intervals than with ordinary petrol. Many have found that double or treble the normal period is highly satisfactory. 14. Are the carbon deposits different in appearance? Yes. Ordinary carbon deposits are usually black. In a car which has used Ethyl Petrol the deposits are sometimes light grey or reddish brown. 15. What is the reason for this difference in colour? It is due to the very small amount of lead bromide which is trapped in the ordinary carbon. 16. Have these deposits a harmful effect? None whatever. 5 | ||