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).
Letter to E. Hives Esq. discussing the properties and potential of a new fuel containing 70% alcohol.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\4\ Scan300 | |
| Date | 3rd April 1934 | |
| E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hives Esq., (Cont.) April 3rd, 1934. A from 29° to 55° first drop distil the 14 % B " 55° to 65° " " " " 29.40% C " 65° to 70° " " " " 5.60% D " 70° to 75° " " " " 17.20% E " 75° to 78° " " " " 33.80% The specific gravity at 15° is .783. Since writing you last we have had a short preliminary test carried out by Mr. Bird, the Head of the Cambridge University Engineering Laboratory who says inter alia that "there was no material difference in the rate of consumption per H.P. for petrol or the new fuel", and "these results, if substantiated, when a larger supply of fuel becomes available can only be regarded as remarkable for a fuel containing 70% of alcohol." This fuel can be produced in England, and I have no doubt that the Air Force will want to carry out tests in due course. We shall also have full tests carried out by the National Physical Laboratory, but technical tests of this sort will not have the same weight with users of Rolls-Royce cars as when a satisfactory report by your firm as to the properties of the fuel has been received, and I am very anxious that you should carry out such a test at your convenience. With this fuel a higher compression can be used than ordinarily employed in petrol engines and considerably higher H.P. obtained, although the consumption in this case may be increased, and this additional H.P. may prove of considerable advantage for certain types of Aircraft, where consumption is not of the first importance, and I think that perhaps this side may also prove of interest to you. Any further information you may require I shall be pleased to forward. Yours faithfully, [Signature] | ||