Page 56 - TBN-2014-5

sure loss was less than 3 per cent, which helped to maintain proper tyre pressure for a much longer period of time. This would prevent premature wear and casing failure, allowing tyres to be retreaded multiple times and optimising tyre life.
“Our drivers felt the difference when they drove on nitrogen filled tyres. Their feedback was basically the same; they all found the vehicles’ handling, braking and steering character- istic improved by keeping tyres at the best possible PSI and temperature. Reduced running temperature keeps the tyres responsive and at the optimal temperature and PSI to grip the road surface,” he added.
As nitrogen had a larger molecular size, Gurmit pointed out that it would not slip into the inner liner easily compared to normal compressed air. In addition, nitrogen was far less reactive; it would not cause rust or corrosion on steel or aluminium and it would not degrade rubber. Wheel surfaces stayed smooth and clean, and rubber remained supple and resilient.
“Besides the cost savings, nitrogen filled tyres increase safety significantly. It reduces
the chance of tyre fail-
ure and has less stress
because it would not overheat, which re- duces the risk of tyres having a blowout. Pressures also won’t fluctuate when the tyres heat up or cool down.”
The initial investment on the TyreBooster might be high for trans- porters but Gurmit said it was money well spent as he managed to amortise his invest- ment in 4 months.
“采用氮气充气后，我们能够 达到5.3至5.5%的燃油节省， 按卡车的款型而有所不同。据 网站的资料显示，氮气充气轮 胎的里数比一般压缩空气充气 的轮胎高达20至25%。我们的 B-double证实了这点。我们发 现安装在B-double驱动轴上的 氮气充气轮胎拥有更长的使用 寿命，也就是59，000公里， 相较于普通压缩空气充气轮胎 所提供的45，000公里。液化 石油气低架拖车轮胎的节省更 大，能够行驶高达90，000公 里的里数，相较于之前的60 ，000公里。”
古密接着说，采用氮气充气， 也协助节省时间，因为他们只 需在每6个月检验车子时为轮 胎充气。 他解释说，氮气通 过空气的速度比压缩空气慢。
胎压的消失低于3%，因此可协助轮胎更长时间保持正确胎 压。这也可避免轮胎的提早磨耗和胎体提前失效，使轮胎得 以翻新好几次，优化轮胎的寿命。”
“当我们的司机驾驶氮气充气轮胎的卡车时，他们能够感 觉到不同。他们的回馈几乎一样，就是发现当轮胎拥有最好 的PSi和温度时，车子的操控、制动及转向都大有改善。降 低的运跑温度，使轮胎的反应更为灵敏，优化的温度和PSi 使轮胎能够提供更好的抓地力。”他补充说。
由于氮气的分子较大，古密指出，因此它不会像压缩空气一
样轻易穿过内衬。此外，氮气的活性较低，不会导致钢和铝
生锈，而且不会造成橡胶退化。车轮的表面可以保持光滑和
干劲，维持橡胶的柔软和弹性。
“除了节省成本，氮气充气轮胎也会大幅度提高安全性。它
可降低轮胎失效和压力，因为它不会过热，因此可降低爆胎
的风险。胎压不会因轮胎的热或冷而产生波动。”
对运输业者来说，TyreBooster的最初投资会比较高，但是 古密说他在短短的4个月内就取得了投资回酬。
54 truck & bus news › 2014/4
Angkat Tan.ai 1 18/06/2014 11:32:27