Straw Gas Car
The Straw Gas Car, built in 1917 by an engineering professor from the University of Saskatchewan, was a revolutionary vehicle of its time. It used straw as fuel and became the first successful gasified taxi. This early experiment with alternative fuel sources demonstrated that cars could operate on something other than petroleum.
The professor’s invention used a biomass-gasification system to convert straw into combustible gases that could power the engine and propel the vehicle forward. The car was relatively lightweight and easy to maneuver, making it ideal for city driving. Despite its potential, the Straw Gas Car never saw widespread application due to several technological barriers and limitations.
The most significant challenge was that the gasification process could have been more efficient, releasing many unburned gases into the atmosphere, which caused air pollution. Furthermore, it struggled to meet safety requirements due to its lack of stability and reliability compared to petroleum-powered vehicles.
Despite these drawbacks, the development of this alternative fuel source marked an important milestone in transportation history. It served as a proof-of-concept for later generations seeking sustainable energy solutions. Despite being largely forgotten today, its legacy remains in more modern experiments such as electric cars and hydrogen fuel cells.
This car didn’t have an onboard gasifier but used the gas from the balloon to power the engine. Heating straw bales in a retort generated the gas. Heating an airtight vessel containing the straw created a chemical reaction, producing the gas. A collection vessel stores the gas ready for transfer to the taxi balloon.
The balloon was held above the car, and the outlet hose went from the balloon to the engine carburetor. Switching a valve it could run on gasoline or switched across to the straw gas coming from the balloon.
The straw gas car was certainly unusual! The gas balloon looks like a bomb waiting to go off above!