Nick Lloyd

Vanessa Diaz
Chase McAndrew
Lucy Mogan

Detailed Design Experiment

Our carbon dioxide car filter has two main parts that are designed to reduce air pollution for the
environment and human health. The nylon particle filter and carbon dioxide filter are the parts of
our products that contain and prevent bad gasses and particles from entering and damaging our
atmosphere. Keeping the bad particles out of our atmosphere leads to healthier people and a
healthier world. By capturing and containing those bad particles we can either dispose of them
properly or convert them into energy. Our prototype will be 3 inches long and the diameter will
be 3 inches. The sizes will differ depending on the car and size of exhaust pipe if we were to
create real products.

Nylon Particle Filter

Experimental Question:
How effective is the Nylon filter at capturing expelled microscopic particles from exhaust?

Variables:
- Independent: Airflow speed- meters per second (m/s)
- Temperature- degrees Fahrenheit (℉)
- Dependent: Density of Particulate matter in air- parts per million (PPM)
- Control: The material filter and the time the car is ran for
- Dependent: Mass of filter

Materials:
- Nylon fabric tan no show socks
- Metal tape or duct tape
- Tunna metal can
- Stainless steel metal mesh
- Two different cars
- 2008 Chevy Silverado
- 2008 Toyota Corolla

Instruments:
- Mass balance
- Measuring tape
- Box cutters
- Metal cutters
 - Timer
- Particulate Matter Monitor

Procedure:
Test of Particulate Matter Capture with Nylon Filter

Making the Cap:

1. Cut the top and bottom of a short can (tunna)
2. Trace the can on a stainless steel metal mesh sheet
3. Insert the mesh into the can so it sits on one end
4. Place nylon sock on top of the can where the mesh sheet lies

Doing the Experiment:

1. Find the generic value of particulate matter excretion for each specific vehicle by finding
the ppc count per engine type on the manufacturer’s website
2. Measure the mass the nylon cloth in grams
3. Apply sheet of nylon filter to each vehicle’s exhaust pipe with duct tape or metal tape
4. Let idle for 3 minutes with the car in park
5. Remove filter from car exhaust and measure mass of the nylon itself (without tape or
metal contraption)
6. Record data
7. Repeat the steps (with a new nylon sock each time) two more times
8. Go through steps 1-7 with the next car model
9. Compare mass to value of total matter expelled to find effectiveness
Potassium Hydroxide Carbon Dioxide Filter

Experimental Question:
How effective is the potassium hydroxide solution at capturing expelled carbon dioxide from
exhaust?

Variables:
- Independent: amount of chemicals used in the experiment (mL and g)
- Temperature- degrees Fahrenheit (℉)
- Dependent: Density of Carbon Dioxide in air- parts per million (PPM)
- Control: Process and setup

Materials:
 - Potassium hydroxide pellets
- 400 mL of deionized water
- 70 mL of vinegar
- 3 grams of baking soda
- Lab space

Instruments:
- Graduated cylinder
- Measuring teaspoon
- 2 Erlenmeyer flasks (400mL) with two separate openings
- 2 rubber stoppers to fit the erlenmeyer flasks
- Volumetric flask
- Mass balance
- Weigh boat
- Scooper

Procedure:
Making the Potassium Hydroxide Solution
1. Measure out 2.805 grams of potassium hydroxide pellets using the scooper, weigh boat,
and mass balance.
2. Fill the volumetric flask with the pellets.
3. Using the graduated cylinder, measure out 400 mL of deionized water.
4. Pour the deionized water in with the potassium hydroxide pellets and swirl around until it
is all dissolved together.

Set Up the Experiment

1. Attach tubing to both erlenmeyer flasks so they are connected.
2. In one erlenmeyer flask add 400 mL of the potassium hydroxide solution.
3. Add the rubber stopper to the top of that one.
4. Then, turn the flask upside down so it is resting on the rubber stopper.
5. Measure out 1 tablespoon of baking soda and add it to the empty erlenmeyer flask.
6. Measure 70 mL of vinegar with the graduated cylinder.
7. Have the other rubber stopper and timer ready.
8. Start timing when the vinegar is first poured and cap off the second flask immediately
after pouring.
9. After the CO2 has been in contact with the solution for 2 minutes, flip the flask back over
and take off the stopper to release remaining gases.
10. Measure mass of solution compared to its initial mass to determine the rate and
effectiveness of absorption.
11. Repeat experiment with different concentrations of potassium hydroxide.