Science Fair Project Ideas

[ELaslo]

We need a good high school science fair project for next year. My daughter earned a 1st in the region and 2nd in the state of Pennsylvania. She compared the torq, horsepower and tailpipe emissions of LSD, ULSD and 80% VO blend (10%kerosene,10% gasoline) in a old Ford Powersmoker. We want to keep on the same theme this year with VO vs traditional diesel. Any thing you guys want to know? We can tackle chemistry and mechanical issues, but don't want to spend a lot of money on lab anaylsis or mechanical devices in order to get the job done. The project needs to be useful and have real world applications.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

How about the effects of VO on DPF's? Like regenration rates for each. The soot produced by each is different.



or:



An oil analysis study on trucks running VO vs. WVO including checking for salts (commonly found in WVO).



Good luck choosing a project.



Joe

 

[ELaslo]

Thanks Joe, We were considering oil anaylsis already. By the way, what are DPF's and regeneration rates?

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Sorry about that. Gotta love abbreviations.



DPF= Diesel Particulate Filter- The Catalyst that they're using on 2007 and newer diesels.



Regeneration rates-The particulate filters do exactly what their name states. They filter out soot from the exhaust... . and then plug up. Then a regeneration happens. Fuel is usually introduced into the exhaust stream. That causes the DPF temp to rise enough to burn the soot out of it.

Studies have shown that Biodiesel lowers the temps required for the DPF to regenerate, maybe even enough to not require the extra fuel. No studies using VO have been attempted (mostly because it is unlikely to ever be considered a motor fuel).

Joe

 

[ELaslo]

Thanks Joe, I want to keep it cheap. I don't want to buy a new truck and use it as a guinnea pig. (I'd like a new truck, but I'll waite a couple of years) I like using my cousins old Powersmoker or a buddies old Benz. Both engines are pretty forgiving and will run on just about anything. Besides, if something gets screwed up, It ain't my dime. Its pretty easy to talk them into using their vehicles especially when my daughter askes them. She can be pretty convincing. She talked a guy into using his emissions testing computer last year and got a great rate on the dyno. Something about a 15 year old female doing gearhead and school project stuff gets the guys every time.