This problem-based case study concerns the location of a titanium dioxide plant and evaluation of analytical methods. Students are asked to act as the management team at the plant and produce a five-year plan for the site.

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The students adopt the role of the existing management team of a titanium dioxide plant that has recently been taken over by Titan Industries. They are empowered to make recommendations on the future of the site to the board of Titan Industries.

The first part of this case study encourages students to consider industrial chemistry in a broad context of the associated safety, environmental, economic and social issues. They compare the old sulphate and newer chloride processes for titanium dioxide production, the reasons why the site is a good location for a titanium dioxide plant, and finally propose a five-year strategy for the site.

In the second part, the students plan the building of a new chloride plant and refurbish the current sulfate plant. Then, students consider setting up an environmental monitoring laboratory for the chloride process, selecting and evaluating a method of analysis for chloride ions in effluent.

  • Target year group: 1
  • Formal contact hours: 4-5
  • Independent study hours: 10