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new type of clean air vehicle method
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deleted-297833
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new type of clean air vehicle method
Is it possible to construct an exhaust on a car that has a bio filter with cyanobacteria in it that help to take in the carbon dioxide that is released from the car and help make more clean air vehicles?
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norman40
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Re: new type of clean air vehicle method
Hi armanioliva,
Using cyanobacteria to remove carbon dioxide from car exhaust is an interesting idea. It may be possible to construct it but a couple of questions come to mind.
According to the EPA, a typical car produces about 400 grams of carbon dioxide per mile. At a speed of 60 miles per hour that equates to about 400 grams of carbon dioxide per minute. That’s quite a lot of carbon dioxide for bacteria to convert. You’d either need a lot of bacteria or bacteria capable of very rapidly converting the carbon dioxide.
The pipes carrying the exhaust from a car engine must be relatively unrestricted. If the exhaust flow is restricted too much of the engine’s energy is required to push the exhaust through the pipes, and the engine is not efficient. So, another challenge is to get the exhaust gases into contact with the bacteria without restricting the exhaust flow.
Are you working on this as a science project? If so, keep us posted as you work out your plans and experiments.
I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.
A. Norman
Using cyanobacteria to remove carbon dioxide from car exhaust is an interesting idea. It may be possible to construct it but a couple of questions come to mind.
According to the EPA, a typical car produces about 400 grams of carbon dioxide per mile. At a speed of 60 miles per hour that equates to about 400 grams of carbon dioxide per minute. That’s quite a lot of carbon dioxide for bacteria to convert. You’d either need a lot of bacteria or bacteria capable of very rapidly converting the carbon dioxide.
The pipes carrying the exhaust from a car engine must be relatively unrestricted. If the exhaust flow is restricted too much of the engine’s energy is required to push the exhaust through the pipes, and the engine is not efficient. So, another challenge is to get the exhaust gases into contact with the bacteria without restricting the exhaust flow.
Are you working on this as a science project? If so, keep us posted as you work out your plans and experiments.
I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.
A. Norman
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audreyln
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Re: new type of clean air vehicle method
This is a very interesting idea!
While a typical car does produce a large amount of carbon dioxide for bacteria to keep up with, bacteria could be used to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions, they would not necessary need to eliminate them.
In addition to the exhaust flow restriction concerns mentioned by A. Norman, you will also want to consider that car exhaust is very hot and to avoid toasting the cyanobacteria to a crisp. Different bacteriums can withstand a wide range of temperatures so you'll want to select one that can handle the heat.
Good luck!
Audrey
While a typical car does produce a large amount of carbon dioxide for bacteria to keep up with, bacteria could be used to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions, they would not necessary need to eliminate them.
In addition to the exhaust flow restriction concerns mentioned by A. Norman, you will also want to consider that car exhaust is very hot and to avoid toasting the cyanobacteria to a crisp. Different bacteriums can withstand a wide range of temperatures so you'll want to select one that can handle the heat.
Good luck!
Audrey