Thermal process technology

...is mainly concerned with processes for the thermal treatment of solids and particulate systems. The focus is on investigations into Process Technology analysis (dynamic modelling and simulation of reactors for material treatment); thermodynamic aspects of material treatment (heat and mass transfer phenomena); internal phenomenology (particle-particle interaction and particle-gas interactions) and the characterization of material parameters (thermophysical properties and reaction behaviour). The investigations are to be carried out from the individual object (solid, particle, agglomerate) to the large-scale apparatus. In this context, primarily energy-intensive processes such as drying, heating, cooling and thermal material conversion are considered. The aim is to optimize the energy efficiency of these processes, to design new systems safely and accurately and to develop new processes and products that enable resource-efficient use. The focus is always on energy efficiency, productivity, product protection/quality and emission reduction. In addition to basic research, application-oriented work is also carried out, particularly in collaboration with industrial partners.