Institute of Process Systems Engineering

We work intensively on the development of physics-based models for multicomponent multiphase flows and integrate new models into the open-source software such as OpenFoam for large-scale simulations for process design and optimization. We also use thermodynamic libraries and machine learning tools.

In recent years, we have performed a variety of different process simulations, such as kneading dough in a spiral kneader, rinsing milk concentrates from spiral-wound mebrane modules, and inactivating heat-resistant bacteria by superheated steam using the interThermalphaseChangeFoam library to describe condensation and evaporation effects.

In addition, we focus on the characterization of materials that are of industrial relevance, such as viscoelastic materials that exhibit both liquid-like and solid-like properties (e.g., bread dough, gelatin gels, and biopolymers). We study the material on different length and time scales. This enables effective design and optimization of industrial processes.

Using both experimental and numerical simulations, we gain valuable spatial and temporal information about the internal structure and composition of materials, heat and mass transfer, and the distribution of temperature, pressure, and velocity, among others. Our approach is complementary, which means that, for example, where we cannot obtain sensor data from experiments, we try to supplement them with predictions.

In addition to our research activities, we are dedicated teachers who provide the students of Faculty 4 with the necessary skills to have a great professional start as an engineer after graduation. We are continuously expanding our teaching portfolio using modern teaching technologies.