CENTRO DE EDUCACION Y DESARROLLO JEAN PIAGET
CO2 Capture using Biochar
…………………..Experiment……………………
Teacher’s name : Merari Paz
Students: Ana Roque, Aarón Nuñez, Emely Menjivar, Mathew Menjivar, David
Salazar
Grade : 9th grade
TEGUCIGALPA M.D.C
INDEX
•INTRODUCTION Pg 01 .
•OBJECTIVES Pg 02
•QUESTIONS Pg 03
HYPOTHESIS Pg 04
•MATERIALS Pg 05
•PROCEDURE Pg 06
• RESULTS Pg 07
• CONCLUSION Pg 08
INTRODUCTION
dioxide (CO₂) is a gas that contributes to global warming. Therefore, it is
important to find ways to reduce it in the environment. Biochar is a type of
charcoal with a porous structure that could help capture CO₂. This experiment
aims to test if biochar can absorb carbon dioxide using homemade materials,
showing a possible ecological and accessible solution.
OBJECTIVE
Demonstrate whether biochar, a type of charcoal with a highly porous
structure, is capable of capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) in a home setting. The
experiment aims to observe measurable changes in the biochar's mass as
evidence of gas capture, using accessible materials and a
…………………………safe,.replicable method.
QUESTIONS
• Can biochar capture measurable amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂)
through surface adsorption when exposed to it in a closed system?
• Could biochar be considered an accessible and effective material for
small-scale CO₂ reduction in everyday environmental applications?
HYPOTHESIS
If biochar has a highly porous structure with a large surface area, then it should be
able to capture part of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) it is exposed to, through a process
known as surface adsorption. This can be evidenced by a slight but measurable
increase in weight when placed on a precision scale. Therefore, biochar could be
used as an effective and affordable method to help reduce CO₂ in the environment
on a small scale.
Furthermore, if biochar can effectively adsorb CO₂, it could serve as a practical tool
for communities or individuals looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Its low cost
and ease of production make it a promising option for small-scale environmental
applications. This experiment will help to verify the potential of biochar as a
sustainable material for capturing greenhouse gases.
MATERIALS
Biochar.
Glass jar with airtight lid
Vinegar.
Baking soda
A straw
A second container to generate the gas (jar or small bottle)
Precision scale (sensitive scale)
Adhesive tape, silicone, or modeling clay
PROCEDURE
I. A clean, dry glass jar was prepared with a measured amount of ground biochar
inside. The jar was sealed with its airtight lid, making a hole to insert a small
hose.
II. In another container, vinegar and baking soda were mixed, generating a
chemical reaction that released carbon dioxide gas.
III. A second hose directed the gas from the reaction container into the jar
containing the biochar. The system remained sealed for several minutes to
allow gas exposure.
IV. Once the reaction ended, the biochar jar was fully closed, dried externally, and
placed on a precision scale to measure its weight.
V. The recorded weight before and after the gas exposure was compared to detect
any change indicating CO₂ adsorption.
RESULTS
After completing the experiment, an approximate increase of one gram in the mass of the
biochar jar was observed. This gain provides evidence that the biochar successfully adsorbed
part of the carbon dioxide it was exposed to. The experiment was conducted under
controlled conditions, with no noticeable gas leaks or losses. The results support the
functionality of biochar as a gas-capturing material.
CONCLUSION
The results support the initial hypothesis. It was demonstrated that biochar, due to its
porous structure and adsorption capability, can capture carbon dioxide even in
homemade conditions. This was confirmed by a measurable weight increase,
suggesting the gas was retained on its surface.
This kind of eco-friendly solution can be useful in gardens, composting systems, or
agricultural areas, promoting the reduction of greenhouse gases on a small scale.
Biochar represents an accessible and sustainable alternative to help care for the
environment from home or community-level initiatives.
RESEARCH
Biochar is a type of charcoal made from burning organic material with little oxygen.
It has a very porous structure, which gives it a large surface area.
Because of this, biochar can trap gases like carbon dioxide through a process called
adsorption.
Many studies say that using biochar can help reduce CO₂ levels in soil and air,
making it a natural and low-cost tool to help fight climate change.