POST-WAR FUELS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 67, 24 April 1945, Page 6

POST-WAR FUELS

ECONOMY WILL BE MAJOR CONSIDERATION

As a result of the necessities of the war petroleum technologists, have provided the United Nations with fuels of considerably higher octane values, and the availability of these improved fuels will have its effect upon car design a fact whicli is appreciated by the motor industries of both Britain and U.S.A. An interesting paper on this subject was presented before the Society of Automobile Engineers at its War and Post-war Materials Meeting held at Cleveland, Ohio. The author was Mr A. T. Cohvell, vice-president of. Thompson Products, and Thompson Aircraft Products Co. and his remarks were based upon information provided by executives of man.v leading concerns in both the oil and the automobile industries of the U.S.A. Mr Colweil said that economy is likely to be the major consideration in after-war car design and that the use of high octane fuels will effect savings in motoring provided that engines are suitably adapted to their use. As an aid to economy high octane petrol holds out prospects of great promise, as a given quantity of it will provide anything up to twice the power forthcoming from an equivalent measure of fuel of pre-war standard. Design Changes' Net'decl Engine design and construction modifications will necessarily be involved in a change-ovcr. There is nothing to be gained by using high octane fuel in a power unit that has not been, expressly designed for it. The use of, these fuels will necessitate the raising of compression ratios. That is the primary requirement, although a ratio of 8 to 1 may be regarded as the likely maximum for the immediate future. Engines will require stiller crankshafts. Valves pistons and their rings, hearings and combustion chamber shapes will also need reconsideration. Lighter vehicles will obviously be desirable. Mr Colweil believes bodies will be constructed mainly of steel and makes no reference to plastics or to the possibilities of timber for coachwork. The American oil companies are said to lie expecting to market two grades of petrol In addition to aviation spirit, in the future for car and a third for tractor operation.