The White Stuff in the Pipes

This Problem Solving with Industry module was devised by the Centre for Science Education in collaboration with ICI. In this module students find out why pipes in a soda-ash chemical plant have become blocked with a white sludge. They identify the sludge and determine what caused it. They then suggest ways of preventing the problem arising again.

Tasks
* Task 1 – reading background information about the Solvay Ammonia-soda process for making sodium carbonate.
* Task 2 - reading a letter and data from the Production Manager of the plant which helps to identify the problem.
* Task 3 - designing an investigation to identify the sludge in the pipes that is causing problems with the help of an information sheet.
* Task 4 - carrying out the investigation planned during the previous task.
* Task 5 - discussing with other students where the sludge may have come from.
* Task 6 - carrying out tests on brine samples and then suggesting ways to improve the process.
* Task 7 - producing a report on all the findings and suggestions.