Skyview High student Brittany LaRoque's simple chemistry experiment has the potential for big change in the field of alternative energy.

LaRoque, a senior, has spent the past six months refining a new technique in the production of biodiesel that could help make the vegetable-oil-based fuel cheaper to produce and more widely used than crude-oil-based fuels.

One of the hurdles to widespread use of biodiesel is that the washing process, which neutralizes the fuel's high pH, is costly, and the water that is used causes emulsification of the oils. Additionally, water used to wash biodiesel has to be treated before it can be reused or released.

The water-washing process is time-consuming and requires a lot of water, LaRoque said. A mineral compound, magnesol, is effective as a washing agent, but it is too expensive for widespread use.

LaRoque found and tested an experimental mineral compound and discovered it worked as well as magnesol but is common, inexpensive and easy to find. The experimental mineral is a secret, and if LaRoque's research is viable, it could make biodiesel production very affordable.

"We're trying to work on a patent for the process," she said.

The "we" includes LaRoque's chemistry teacher, Fred Michels.

Students in Michels' biofuels club mastered the production of biodiesel, using the water-washing process, and have even converted a car to run on biodiesel. The club has been working on biofuels for the past five years.

LaRoque joined the club last year and guessed that a better washing process could be found, so she asked Michels if she could do an independent study this year - her senior year. He gave her the go-ahead and LaRoque designed her own curriculum.

"She just keeps plucking away, with high expectations of herself," Michels said.

For LaRoque's washing process to be accepted for a patent, it needs to be formally vetted with extensive scientific testing. LaRoque got that process started with her project, Michels said.

Her research helped her to a first-place win at the Billings Clinic Science Expo last month, which earned her a spot at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair this week in Reno, Nev.

LaRoque is one of four Billings high school students who will compete in the Intel competition.

National competitors

Edward Gillig and Hannah Olson, juniors at Central High, are taking their project, "Examination of the Relationship between Resveratrol and Telomerase in Saccaromyces Cerevisiae," and Robin Byron, a home-schooled sophomore from Hardin, is taking a project titled "Testing E. coli from the Bighorn River for Antibiotic Sensitivities."

All of the students were awarded first-place honors for their grade levels. Gillig, Olson and LaRoque all received $1,000 scholarships to Montana State University Billings.

LaRoque said she plans to go to Montana State University in Bozeman and study chemical and biological engineering. With an established interest in biofuels, she is interested in a career in alternative energy research.

"It would be good if I can make a contribution - in even the smallest way," LaRoque said.

Contact Laura Tode at ltode@billingsgazette.com or 657-1392.