Geologic Sequestration

In this lab, you will conduct an experiment to learn about the method of geologic carbon sequestration.

Materials (per lab group):

100 ml of vinegar2 -- #6, two-hole rubber stopper with plastic tubes2 -- 250-ml flask2 lengths of rubber tubing, 45 cm long eachSafety glasses for each student1 -- 250 ml beaker1—50 mL beaker1 -- 30 ml syringe (no needle)Supply of waterYellow food color to represent oilBox of baking sodaSeveral straws or rigid plastic tubing30 copies of Geologic Sequestration-Student Sheet

Put on your safety glasses. Then place enough baking soda in the flask to cover the bottom.

Syringe & Vinegar

Tubing

Two StrawsRubber stopper

Flask

Baking Soda

Oil ReservoirCollecting Tank

Add 100 mL of “oil” to the 2nd flask. Place rubber stoppers and rubber tubing on the flasks. Attach one rubber tubing to the long plastic straw and place the other end inside the beaker.

Pour about 40 mL of vinegar into a 50 mL beaker.

Slowly add 10 mL of vinegar to the baking soda. The gas this is being produced (CO2) will push oil out of the underground deposit and into the collecting tank.

Slowly add more vinegar to the baking soda until the oil stops flowing into the collecting

tank.

When you have finished this activity, clean up your materials and place the materials back where you

found them.