apl. Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Heike Lorenz

Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems
Physical and Chemical Foundations of Process Engineering
+49 391 6110 293
N2.11

Main Focus

  • Crystallization as a process for separation and product design
    • Phase equilibria and crystallization kinetics
    • Process design, monitoring and control
  • Application of crystallization processes for sustainable production and purification of target compounds
    • Innovative concepts of enantiomer separation and production (e. g. Preferential Crystallization, counter-current (fractional) crystallization, integrated process concepts)
    • Separation of value-added products from complex multicomponent systems as chemical/biocatalytic synthesis mixtures or plant extracts (e. g. drug or food ingredient components)
    • Alternative process concepts for climate-friendly and sustainable production of mass chemicals (e. g. soda ash)
    • Separation, purification and valorization of waste or residual materials from industrial processing (e. g. lignin from wood treatment)


Curriculum Vitae

Personal Facts

  • apl. Professor at Otto von Guericke University (OvGU) Magdeburg (since 2010)
  • Habilitation at OvGU Magdeburg (2004), Thesis Subjects: Heterogeneous processes on the example of combustion of solids and crystallization from solution
  • Invited lecturer at Rouen University/France, Faculté des Sciences et des Techniques, Département Chimie (2002, 2004)
  • Senior scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems in Magdeburg, Dept. of Physical and Chemical Foundations of Process Engineering (since 1998), Team Leader Crystallization
  • Visiting Researcher at the International Flame Research Foundation, IJmuiden/The Netherlands (1998)
  • Scientist at the Chemistry Department of the OvGU Magdeburg, Technical Chemistry (1992-1998)
  • Ph.D. studies at Otto von Guericke University (OvGU) Magdeburg (1988-1992), Thesis Subjects: fluidized bed combustion, inline monitoring of combustion processes
  • Studies of Technical Chemistry at Freiberg University of Mining and Technology (1983-1988), Diploma Thesis Subject: Thermoanalytical and thermokinetic studies on melts of selected salt hydrates


Scientific Awards / Honours / Memberships

  • Editorial Board Member of MDPI´s Scientific Journal "Crystals" and Section Editor-in-Chief of Section Board "Industrial Crystallization"
  • European Federation of Chemical Engineers (EFCE) delegate, Working Party Crystallization (since 2015)
  • Chair of the Crystallization Board of DECHEMA / VDI's ProcessNet (2009-2014)
  • Elected Member of the Scientific Council of the Max Planck Society´s (Chemistry, Physics and Technology Section), Representative of the MPI employees (2010-2013)
  • “Research Award for Applied Research” of the State of Saxony-Anhalt (2008)
  • Appointed member of the Crystallization Board of DECHEMA / VDI´s ProcessNet (since 2004)
  • Award of the DECHEMA e.V. for Young University Lecturers in Technical Chemistry (1999)
  • Grant of the State of Saxony-Anhalt to support Habilitation (1998)
  • Medal “Georgius-Agricola” of the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology (1988)
  • Member of the Society of German Chemists (GDCh) (since 1988) and the DECHEMA e.V. (since 2000)




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