Process Systems Engineering

Major research interests

The focus of research is on the model-based analysis, synthesis, operation and control of complex process systems in chemicals production, energy conversion and biotechnology. A key element for sustainable process design is the Elementary Process Functions (EPF) methodology which is continuously developed in the Sundmacher group, with consideration of all decision variables on the different levels of the process system hierarchy (molecular level, process unit level, plant level, production system level). Applications in chemicals production include integrated reaction-separation processes for active pharmaceutical ingredients, depolymerization processes for plastic waste recycling, and carbon capture processes. Regarding energy conversion processes, current interests are in multiscale analysis of water electrolysis cells for green hydrogen production, and the optimal design of power-to-X processes. The most important research activities in biotechnology are in the design and dynamic operation of microalgae-based and lignin-first biorefineries, as well as in the bottom-up synthesis of artificial cells from functional molecular modules. In all projects mathematical modeling, computer-aided molecular & process design, and experimental validation on different scales are closed combined.

Possible research projects (not exhaustive)

• Design of solvent-based depolymerization processes for mixed plastics
  (Collaboration partners: hon. Prof. Rihko-Struckmann, Prof. Hamel, Prof. von Langermann)
• Multi-step separation systems for complex mixtures arising from depolymerization or pyrolysis processes
  (Collaboration partners: apl. Prof. Lorenz, Prof. Kienle, Prof. Sager)
• (Re-)synthesis processes for new target chemicals from depolymerization mixtures and biogenic residues
  (Collaboration partners: Prof. Hamel, Dr. Vidakovic-Koch, Prof. von Langermann)
• Flux-balance and sustainability analysis of the carbon metabolism(s) of the chemical industry
  (Collaboration partners: hon. Prof. Rihko-Struckmann, Dr. Klamt)
• Analysis of reaction networks and kinetics in solvent-based depolymerization
  (Collaboration partners: Prof. Hamel, hon. Prof. Stein)
• Computer-aided design and selection of optimal catalyst-solvent systems
  (Collaboration partners: Prof. von Langermann, hon. Prof. Stein)
• Prediction of thermodynamic properties and phase equilibria
  (Collaboration partner: apl. Prof. Lorenz)
• Uncertain multi-objective mixed-integer nonlinear optimization
  (Collaboration partners: Prof. Mostaghim, Prof. Sager)
• Learning hybrid models from data
  (Collaboration partners: Prof. Sager, Prof. Benner, Dr. Nüske, Prof. Mostaghim)

Current doctoral researchers in the IMPRS ProEng program

Sahil Sethi

Website

PhD project since April 2022: Computer aided synthesis of separation processes assisted by machine learning methods

Danial Hamedi Jamali

Website

PhD project since June 2021: Synthesis and analysis of H2-based energy conversion systems

Ann-Joelle Minor

Website

PhD project since April 2021: Chemical Recycling of Polyamides

Zihao Wang

Website:

PhD project since October 2020: Machine learning for material design in chemical processes

External doctoral researcher in the IMPRS ProEng program

Steffen Linke

Website

PhD project: Integrated design of thermomorphic multicomponent systems and separation processes for the efficient recovery of homogeneous catalysts and solvents

IMPRS ProEng Alumnae and Alumni