Captains of Industry

Produced by The Centre for Industry Education Collaboration (CIEC), these resources challenge students to develop strategies for the profitable operation of fertiliser manufacturing in the United Kingdom.

Students gain an understanding of how science is used in an industrial context. The use of energy and raw materials is related to the chemistry involved in the conversion of raw materials to nitrate, phosphate, potassium fertiliser.

During the activities, students:

* Study the use of raw materials, and the impact of waste products and their management, by constructing a mass balance for the manufacture of fertiliser.

* Investigate ways of recycling waste heat.

* Interpret and present data for a meeting with bankers.

* Evaluate strategies and make decisions about running a major industry.

* Study the outline chemistry of the synthesis of ammonia and the production of nitric and sulphuric acids.

* Decide whether the use of energy to manufacture fertiliser is a good use of a scarce resource.