Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello, I'm doing a project (or trying to, anyway!) on biodiesel, and whilst reading another forum about it, one of the reader's suggested that a project could be done about the chemicals released from biodiesel compared to others, like diesel, etc. I think that's cool and would make for a really great project, and that testing their effects on air quality would also be cool to see.

The problem is, though, that I have no clue how to go about testing this. Could I do something like taking an engine with a tube on one end a filter on the other and have the tube run into an airtight box and test the chemicals from there? Would I be able to test the emission particles instead? Would that be doing the same thing?! Please help!!!

thank you in advance...any ideas are appreciated!!

Hi,

This is an original and very good idea for a project, but you will need to do more background research to develop your experimental plan.

First, making biodiesel is a very challenging project on its own. Here is a description of this project from the Science Buddies website.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p032.shtml

Next, here is a project idea that describes how to measure particulate air pollution by measuring particulates trapped on squares of cardboard covered with Vaseline.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p009.shtml

You would need to do a pilot experiment to find out how long it would take to collect a measurable number of particles from your sample. You would need an engine to burn each type of fuel tested and you would need tubing to collect the exhaust from the engine so you could trap the particles in a reproducible method. And, possibly most important, you would need a safe place to do this experiment since you will be working with highly volatile, flammable samples.

You might consider consulting with a smog check station to find out if there is any other way of testing engine emissions that would be suitable for home use. And, I recommend that you call your local air quality government agency and ask for a referral to an expert. For this project, it would definitely be worthwhile to get all of your background information before you start your experiment.

I hope this will help you get started.

Donna Hardy