[Chinchilla]

First, some background: I am currently a junior at my high school, and have taken Chem AP and earned an A in the class. In the upcoming school year, my senior year, my school requires me to take a course named Engineering Design and Development, which is at it's heart, a year long engineering project devoted to solving some type of problem.

I am looking to get a head start on it this summer, since I would need to identify a problem first. Which leads to my question. I am very interested in chemistry, and like it very much. Is there any sort of problem, or a direction to research for a problem, that has to do with chemistry, or relates to chemistry? Or is this biting off more than I can chew? I appreciate any sort of feedback. Thank you.

[eugenedakin]

Hello Chinchilla,

Congratulations on the great marks!

There are many projects that can be completed. With your assignment, is this to be a paper, or a presentation, a working model or even an oral test?

If you would like some suggestions about the oilfield then I may be able to help you.

Just let me know a little more about what is required, and then we will go from there.

Take care,

Eugene

[Chinchilla]

Hello Eugene,

This is actually a comprehensive project, involving a report, a presentation, and even a working model at the end of the year. The basic premise is that each of us individual students find a problem, identify previous solutions, and spend the rest of the year either modifying an existing solution, or designing and developing a new solution. while defending how it is better (better being a relative term) than the previous solutions.

I really would appreciate some suggestions about the oilfield, it sounds challenging. 

Thanks again.

[eugenedakin]

Hello Chinchilla,

One project that may be interesting is changing the properties of wax. This is a huge problem in the oilfield. There are many solutions, and this may be a good introduction to solvents and paraffin inhibition.

There are many good books in University libraries, online, and organizations that have details and field problems that describe their specific problems in detail.

As an example, you may wish to purchase a pound of wax (from a local candle making store) and perform tests (while capturing pictures) for your study. The wax is usually easy to get and is relatively inexpensive and relatively harmless.

This is just a thought.

Sincerely,

Eugene