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).
Experiments with petrol substitutes, detailing poor engine performance and potential carburetter modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 32\1\ Scan040 | |
| Date | 17th October 1916 | |
| H.R. & A 338500 T/P.C. & Co. 16/9/16 To Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Clk. c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Na.{Mr Nadin} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} X.1555 X.3008-Re - Petrol Substitutes. X.1555 X.2470 R1/W161016. 17/10/16 With reference to Petrol Substitutes, I have received word from Mr. Hives that they can rig up a carburetter with two floats, one for the low speed jet or petrol only, and one for the high speed jet or paraffin, and I have had some impression that this is said to work satisfactorily with our engine. In my own attempt to use a substitute for petrol I mixed about four gallons of Bowley's Benzolite with about three gallons of petrol, the result was very bad running indeed, and the engine very liable to stop when the throttle was fully opened at slow speed. It did not appear as if the failure occurred when the throttle was nearly closed, and the low speed jet working perhaps only, but always when the throttle was opened at slow speeds. I concluded therefore, that it was bad distribution and it appears to me that no petrol substitutes that are not highly volatile are any use for our engine, which is expected to run with such a alrge range of speed. It was distinctly noticed that when the engine got up to a fairly/high speed Firing and distribution appeared satisfactory. On this particular occasion, although the distance was only a few miles, say 14, the engine ultimately sooted up the ignition plugs due to forced slow running required Contd. | ||