Main focus: Transport Processes in Multi-Phase Systems, Rheology of Semi-Solid Metal Alloys, Analysis and Simulation of High-Temperature Processes, Biosolar Hydrogen Production

The work group investigates complex kinetic phenomena in multiphase systems.

Transport processes are analysed experimentally and numerically to gain deeper insight into the underlying mechanism. Systems of interest are e.g. falling liquid films and oscillating liquid jets. The results are used for design and optimization of technical apparatuses.

Another field of research is rheology, which is by definition „the theory of flow behaviour of deformable materials”. Investigations in this field are both, fundamental and application-oriented. They refer to flow properties of complex materials, such as semi-solid metal alloys, carbon-filled rubber, polyelecrolyte solutions and blood. The aim of these studies is to further develop a numerical tool that is capable of describing such flow processes. From the results of these computations, design specifications are derived for complex materials processing unit operations like moulding, mixing or transporting.

Further interest is taken in the analysis and simulation of high-temperature processes, like separation of oxygen from air with a high-temperature membrane process, biomass combustion and cement production. A specific field of activity is biosolar hydrogen production.

Based on the theoretical knowledge of a designed bioreactor, all other process components are integrated in the research subject and are further developed in co-operation with biotechnologists and biologists.