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The suitability of the fuel used for motor-sledging on Scott's last expedition, 1910–1913

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2008

Cameron P. McIntyre ,
Herbert Volk ,
Barry D. Batts  and
Simon C. George
Cameron P. McIntyre
Affiliation:
CSIRO Petroleum, PO Box 136, North Ryde, NSW 1670, Australia
Herbert Volk
Affiliation:
CSIRO Petroleum, PO Box 136, North Ryde, NSW 1670, Australia
Barry D. Batts
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
Simon C. George
Affiliation:
Department of Earth and Planetary sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde NSW 2109, Australia
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Abstract

The fuel used for motor-sledging during Scott's 1910–1913 expedition has been reanalysed to assess its suitability for that task in Antarctica. A research octane number of 65 and volatility were low compared with modern fuels but probably suitable when considering the design of the flathead engine. The findings are consistent with view that engine design was the primary cause of the mechanical failings.

Type
Notes
Information
Polar Record , Volume 44 , Issue 3 , July 2008 , pp. 276 - 277
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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