Institute of Chemical Engineering

Laboratory of Thermal Process Engineering

Overview

The Laboratory of Thermal Process Engineering was established in November 2017 as a part of the Institute of Chemical Engineering and deals with questions related to new thermal separation processes. Multiple dividing wall columns, rotating separation devices and additive manufacturing are currently the main topics of our research. Within our research approach theoretical and experimental methods are contributing equally to reach our goal of deepened process understanding. The research interests of our group are triggered by the megatrends energy efficiency, modularization and flexibilization of chemical production processes. In this context we are attempting to close the gap between fundamental and application oriented research, keeping an eye on industrial relevance.

Head of Laboratory: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Grützner

Topic for B.Sc. Thesis / HiWi Job

We are looking for a committed student to assist our research in the field of dynamic simulation of multiple dividing wall columns. You should have basic knowledge in process simulator (Aspen Plus / HYSYS) and interest in the field of computational process engineering.

Contact: M.Eng. Ulrich Preißinger, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Grützner

Publications

Projects

Equipment

Group Members

Head of Group

Name Room Mail Phone
Grützner, Thomas Prof. Dr.-Ing. 47.2.225 thomas.gruetzner@uni-ulm.de 0731 50-25702

Scientific Co-Workers (PhD Students)

Name Room Mail Phone
Ahmad, Bilal M.Sc. 47.0.103 bilal.ahmad@uni-ulm.de 0731 50-25445
Hamamah, Zaid M.Sc. 47.0.103 zaid.hamamah@uni-ulm.de 0731 50-25445
Kügele, Simon M.Sc. (external TH Ulm)   simon.kuegele@thu.de 0731 50-28304
Mathlouthi, Gino M.Eng. (external TH Ulm)   gino.mathlouthi@thu.de 0731 50-16716
Neukäufer, Johannes, M.Sc. 47.0.104 johannes.neukaeufer@uni-ulm.de 0731 50-25715
Preißinger, Ulrich M.Eng. 47.0.103 ulrich.preissinger@uni-ulm.de 0731 50-25445
Ränger, Lena-Marie M.Sc. 47.0.104 lena.raenger@uni-ulm.de 0731 50-25715
Trescher, Lea M.Sc. 47.0.105 lea.trescher@uni-ulm.de 0731 50-25719

Technical support

Name Room Mail Phone
Järvinen, Olavi M.Eng. O25/634 olavi.jaervinen@uni-ulm.de 0731 50-25704

Student workers

  • Asjad Lodi B.Sc.
  • Chiara Lukas
  • Fatmaalzahraa Elsayed B.Sc.
  • Yannick Waibel B.Sc.
  • Mohamed Adel B.Sc.
  • Niclas Frieß

Visitors

  • Prof. Dr. Igor Dejanovic, University of Zagreb (Sept. / Oct. 2019)
  • M.Sc. Goran Lukac, University of Zagreb (Sept. / Oct. 2019)

 

Focus and Methods

Main Topics

  • Dividing wall columns, especially with multiple partitioning walls
  • Rotating devices in thermal process engineering
  • Additive manufacturing related to thermal separation processes
  • Process thermodynamics
  • Modularization and flexibilization of chemical production processes
  • Energy efficient production and separation concepts

 Methods

  • Process simulation with ASPENplus, ASPEN-Custom Modeler and HYSYS
  • CFD simulations with OPEN Foam
  • Matlab
  • Additive manufacturing (3D-printing)
  • Dedicated experimental laboratory setups to determine the pressure drop in packed columns, liquid distribution on packings, multiple dividing wall columns, rotating extractors

Bachelor and Master Theses, Research Internships

We are always offering a wide variety of topics for your Bachelor- and Master-Thesis or for research internships. No matter if you want to focus your work on more experimental or more theoratical questions - do not hesitate to approach us.

Currently we offer theses from the following topics:

  • Liquid / Solid interfacial interactions
    Static and dynamic contact angle measurements on 3D printed surfaces
  • Additive manufacturing
    CFD simulation studies, development of a lab unit for measuring separation efficiencies, equipment design, experimental investigation of maldistribution
  • Multiple Dividing Wall column
    Simulations studies for steady-state operation points, development of dynamic models, design of a pilot-scale unit, investigation of control structures, pareto-optimization
     
     
     
     
     

How to find us

We are located at "Uni West"

Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89081 Ulm, Germany, Building 47, Room 47.2.225

 

Highlights