Motor Road Transport For Commercial Purposes
(Liquid Fuel, Steam, Electricity)

CHAPTER XXIII ECONOMIES : FUEL There are many ways by which the cost of motor maintenance may be reduced, and one of the most effectual and obvious is by cutting down the fuel consumption, or by obtaining satisfactory running with the use of a fuel cheaper than that used heretofore. It should be realized that where a large number of machines are employed, the saving of ld. per mile will result in the saving of thousands of pounds a year. This is a faet, which, though so well known, is often disregarded. Fuel-Saving Devices. There have been during the past few years a large number of fuel-saving devices, such as extra air and spraying contrivances, placed upon. the market, many of which have been submitted to the author for practical test. Broadly speaking the net gain obtained from the fitting of any of these devices is not very marked. They undoubtedly tend towards economy, but are in many cases erude both in theory and in practice, and consequently fali short as regards the issue. Nevertheless, in the writer’s opinion, there are one or two exceptions, one of which is briefly described below. An atomizer—the invention of an Australian— consists of a truncated cone, constructed of a metal having high heat conductivity, and containing a series of gauze screens. A metal casing surrounds this cone, and into the intervening Space exhaust gas is passed. A special type of air valve, which is mechanical in action, and controlled entirely by the carburettor 163