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).
The procurement and testing of high-octane fuel (Iso Octane).
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 150\1\ scan0024 | |
| Date | 18th July 1935 | |
| 81282. To - Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c.c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c.c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c.c. to Rg.{Mr Rowledge} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}4/WJ.18.7.35. ISO OCTANE. We had a visit yesterday from Capt.White, the European representative of Stanavo and Mr.Banks of the Ethyl Export Corporation , in regard to our enquiries for fuels of high Octane value. There are now 1000 gallons of this fuel at Rotterdam of which 500 gallons are available for this country of which I have persuaded Capt.White to let us have 250 gallons. The Bristol Co. will have the other 250 gallons. The cost of this fuel will be approximately 2½ dollars per gallon which with handling charges for shipment to the Anglo American Laboratories at Vauxhall will be roughly 12/6 per gallon. But by using 4 ccs. of lead per gallon, and blending with Stanavo aviation spirit we should get 750 gallons of fuel having a knock rating of 100 Octane at a cost of not more than 6/- per gallon. I am therefore arranging to have 200 gallons of iso octane blended in this way and have asked the Company to hold the remaining 50 gallons in store pending further instructions. It will be necessary to arrange a comprehensive series of tests on the blended fuel in order to ascertain which type of head will make the maximum use of its high knock rating. Will E therefore please arrange for pistons up to 7.5/1 ratio for [redacted] heads on Kestrel, P.V.G and P.V.12 single cylinder units, and Rg.{Mr Rowledge} for a piston up to 9/1 on the Exe single cylinder unit. These should be available by end of September and the detonation tests fitted in as opportunity arises. --------------------- Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} | ||