UTPB engineering seniors design parts to capture CO2 emissions from cars
May 17—By Alexandra Macia
Special from UTPB
A group of three UTPB College of Engineering seniors each designed different devices that work to solve the same problem; capturing carbon dioxide from the exhaust from cars.
In theory, their designs would provide another solution to CO2 emissions other than electric vehicles. The designs reduce global warming and allow for continued usage of internal combustion engines.
The three devices are a part of their senior group project which they worked on together. They created them using the 3D printers available to students in the UTPB Makerspace.
Tye Sikes designed a baffled box that forces the exhaust gases over a small body of water, in turn absorbing and dissolving the CO2 into the water.
Verenice Campos designed a tank to capture emissions from your exhaust and store them until the gases can be injected into geological structure and dissipated in porous rock rather than the atmosphere. Gerardo Mendoza designed a filter that will absorb CO2 with a chemical reaction.
"We felt as if this would be an important and a worthwhile project. It has been a long semester to say the least, but it has also been very enjoyable to be working on a project that could potentially have a real impact on the environment and possible show that reducing CO2 emissions in automobiles is not overly complicated," said Sikes. The recent interest in CO2 sequestration and desire to address a need led them to this concept. Mendoza says the team experience was very valuable.
"It helps prepare you for the expectations of working in a team in the real world," said Mendoza.
The project was stressful, Campos says, as it took a lot of time and research to accomplish their goal.
"I am grateful for the learning experience and all the possibilities that the University offers in terms of research and modeling," said Campos.
Sikes says the experience prepared them to be ready for situations they may be put into in a professional environment. He now feels as though he has a better understanding of the processes and steps that must be taken to create a well thought out and designed part.
