Animal Kingdom to the Rescue

By Staff
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Courtesy of Roger L. Eshelman, Box 36, College Springs, Iowa 51637
Courtesy of Roger L. Eshelman, Box 36, College Springs, Iowa 51637

The following article was taken from the Western Pennsylvania
Motorist. We thank them for the use of same.

From merrie olde England (where else?) comes the most unorthodox
proposal yet for solving the gasoline shortage. Harold Bate, 17
years ago discovered that the methane gas that escapes from cow
manure could run his automobile.

An enthusiastic inventor, he leaped into the cow manure project
with much gusto when he discovered that this power source cost but
3 cents per gallon. After feeding the animals who produce the waste
with a methane producing substance he set about the task of
collecting the raw materials. The cattle were most cooperative and
in due time Mr. Bate had more on his hands, er. . .in his bucket
than was needed for his initial test. He collected about 100 pounds
to produce the equivalent of 8 gallons of gasoline. After placing
the feces in a suitable container, he sat back and watched as the
cauldron bubbled mysteriously for 14 days. Scoffing at thoughts of
weariness brought on by smelling the aroma of the bubbling goo, he
tested the gas and found it to have an octane rating of 127, be
totally nonpolluting, and after the initial separation from the raw
material, odor-free. For the do-it-yourselfer, this process may
seem a bit sticky and some readers have probably decided that they
would rather buy their fuel already refined. Bottled methane is
available at various supply stores.

At left is Roger Eshelman’s 6 HP IHC Famous engine. It is
not quite finished but in good running order. This engine was
purchased from Harry Patterson of Oregon, Mo. in sad condition. It
had been tipped off its trucks [the trucks shown are not the
original] onto its side in a pasture and had been for many years in
that position. Center engine is a 1 HP FM Eclipse belonging to
Roger. At right – Elsa Meckley of Paris, Mo. came again to the show
and brought his Aermotor, Monitor and Galloway engines to liven up
the show – if he got the chance.

The hardware necessary to make your car run on methane is quite
simple. It consists of an adapter to supply the engine with gas
instead of gasoline, and heavy steel containers that fit in the
trunk of your car for the methane. A rubber hose connects the
two.

One further note; should you feel a bit squeamish about
following a herd of cattle around all day, Mr. Bate reports that
other animal waste material can be substituted. He also said that
the used residue makes excellent fertilizer.

  • Published on May 1, 1974
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