Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-10-12

Now that the bond free alcohol bill
has become law all our readers. says
E. w. Longnecker, in Gas Power. who
own engines will be wanting to know
whether their engines can be operated
on alcohol, and if SO, will they run
without change in some of their parts
or what changes are necessary if any.
In the first place we might say that
our, readers will be pleased to learn
that quite a few engines Will run on
alcohol without any change, and
would be advisable before considering
any to set apart a day for experiment
ing on the engine with the new fuel to
determine if possible what can be ac-
complished without change.
We would suggest as an outline Tor
an experiment of this kind that about
a three gallon can be connected up
some way with the supply or feed cup
on the engine, leaving the gasoline
supply pipe just as it is, so that this
engine can be operated by either fuel
by turning off one and at the same
time turning on the other. the object
being to start the engine as usual on
gasoline and after it has run for
few minutes and has had time to
thoroughly warm up, then change the
fuel by shutting off the gasoline and
turning on the alcohol. This will
quickly demonstrate whether the en-
CINE will operate on alcohol without
change.
Alcohol Consumed.
If it goes right ahead, running on,
firing its charges regularly, as 1t DID on
gasoline and apparently producing as
much power, we should at once take
up the matter of determining how
much alcohol it consumes in carrying
the same load as with gasoline. The
engine should be put under load and
watched until the alcohol supply is run
out. first, Of course, having noted the
exact quantity put into the can. Note
the exact time it takes from first
turning on the alcohol until the engine
stops for want of fuel.
Every owner or operator has an
dea of the amount Of gasoline 1t would
ake to handle the load for the same
myth OF time 1t will no doubt be
loticed when the comparison is made
nat quite a bit more alcohol is used
md possibly twice as much as OF gas
line for operating the engine for the
lrne time under similar load. This
Ill Indicate to US that some change
necessary to bring down the fuel
assumption. Shutting off the supply
little by little by means ofthe needle or
rattle valve and noting the erect IL
as or the running of the engine may
tried. An engine never operates
economically when the needle valve is
It SO as to allow more fuel than 1T
ctually requires to make good mix
ure at each charge. Advancing the
park slightly over the point for gaso-
ne may also improve the amount
onsumed.
Reduce Compression Space.
But in all probability to reduce the
consumption of alcohol to its most
,ononical point the compression space
ehind the piston must be reduced
his means that in some way the cons
Getting rod between the piston and
rankshaft must be heightened so that
he piston travels farther back into
he cylinder at each in-stroke. By this
means the compression is increased as
he space behind the piston is de-
,reased. Alcohol makes slower
burning mixture than gasoline and
1oes not ignite SO readily, for which
reasons it can stand a considerably
higher compression which is decidedly
in its favor on account of power devel-
opnent.
The reported experiments along this
,ine for our own country are exceed
ingly few. Nearly all reports to be
had on this point come from Germany
and England, where alcohol as fue'
for gas engines has already establish
ed itself But all reports agree that
a higher compression pressure for al