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

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

Team leader
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)




Go to Editor View