• Processing machines and environmental technology, e.g.:
• Process and machine technology studies
• Design methodology and calculation methods:
  • Provision of tools for the systematic design of machines and systems for processing technology and environmental protection (design methodology, neural networks, CAD, FEM, CFD, DEM, etc.).)
• Agglomeration technology, e.g.:
  • Conception and optimisation of agglomeration methods for organic and inorganic raw materials
  • Development of alternative binders for the agglomeration of bulk products
• Processing of renewable raw materials, e.g.e.g.:
  • Combination of basic process engineering operations for processing renewable raw materials with the highest refining effect
• Recycling, e.g.:
  • Comminution of non-brittle waste and renewable raw materials to achieve defined granulometric product properties
  • Selective comminution of waste mixtures
• Mineralogy, e.g.e.g.:
  • Investigations into the crushability of mineral materials

Institute for Processing Machines and Recycling System Technology

• Regional virtual power plant based on mini- and micro-CHP technology
• Monitoring and efficient control of small energy systems
• Automation of decentralised energy systems
• CO2 data acquisition and monitoring system
• Automation of diffusion experiments in metal melts
• Automation of digital printing lines
• Modelling and and monitoring system
• Automation of diffusion experiments in metallic melts
• Automation of digital printing lines
• Modelling and control of high-temperature processes in multi-zone furnaces
• Internet-based monitoring and control of automation processes

Institute of Automation Technology

• Electrification of the powertrain, e.g.:
  • Investigation of possible electric motor concepts for hybrid and electric vehicles
  • Design of driving cycle-optimised drives with high power density
• Control of electric drives using observers, e.g.e.g.:
  • Development of robust observers for non-measurable variables
  • Minimisation of dynamic stress in the mechanical drive train
• Mathematical modelling and digital simulation of asynchronous and synchronous machines, e.g.e.g.:
  • Further development of mathematical machine models
  • Software development
• Identification of the parameters of asynchronous and synchronous machines, e.g.:
  • Methods for both standstill and FOR controlled operation
  • Avoidance of differentiation of state variables through the use of MOD functions

Institute of Electrical Engineering

• At the Chair of Energy Process Engineering and Thermal Residue Treatment: efficient and environmentally compatible thermochemical refinement processes (gasification, pyrolysis, coking, etc.) of energy sources such as coal, crude oil, natural gas, biomass and waste materials
• .At the Chair of Reaction Engineering: reaction engineering of homogeneous and heterogeneous processes, the optimisation of existing and the development of new processes in petroleum processing and petrochemistry, the production of biofuels and synthetic fuels
• at the Chair of Numerical Thermofluid Dynamics: Modelling and simulation of reactive flows and high-temperature processes, linking basic and applied research: from detailed flame structures to the simulation of technical reactors

Institute of Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering

• Basic and applied and applied research on glass technology
• Optimisation of batch technology
• Modelling of glass technology processes
• Glass recycling and utilisation of residual materials
• Refinement of glassy surfaces
• Enamels and enamel technology
• New methods of thermal and chemical of thermal and chemical hardening
• New measuring methods for process monitoring
• Glass fibre technology
• Fibre-reinforced building materials
• Foam glass technology

Institute of Glass and Glass Technology

Ceramics, refractories and metalloceramic composites

• Development of thermal shock and corrosion resistant ceramics, refractories and building materials for applications in metallurgy, steel industry, cement, lime, glass industry and energy technology
• Electrification of high-temperature processes (microwave plasma burners, carbon-free and low-carbon electrodes)
• Development of new hybrid firing technologies for high-temperature processes
• Recycling and upcycling of refractories and building materials
• Generative manufacturing and 3D hybrid processes (3D spaghetti extrusion for filter production, 3D alginate route, gelcasting, roboflamespraying)
• 3D printing (selective laser sintering - SLS, Fused Filament Fabrication - FFF, binder jetting, direct extrusion)
• Refractive composites
• Metal-ceramic composites
• Alkali-corrosion resistant building materials and thermal insulation materials for the cement industry and aluminium molten flux electrolysis
• Porous ceramics for high-temperature applications (molten metal filters, thermal insulation materials, reactor surfaces)
• Further development of classic manufacturing technologies (casting moulding, plastic moulding, uniaxial press moulding, isostatic press moulding)
• Development and application of modern manufacturing and functionalisation techniques (pressure slip casting, pulsating CIP, flame spraying, electrospinning)

Institute for Ceramics, Refractories and Composites

Professorship Networked Mobile Machinery

• DeepSea Sampling: In this joint project, a consortium of seven partners is developing a template with which vertical ore mining can be operated in the deep sea
• Conceptualisation of the tool change: Investigations into the possibility of wear detection on tools and technical solutions for changing tools underwater
• Positioning: Investigation of sensor systems and the possibilities for sensor data fusion for alignment and positioning underwater
• SMS minerals: Investigation of the properties relevant for the mining of minerals and experiments to estimate mining conditions
• Pressure-tight design of sensor systems
• Design of semi-autonomous working systems
• Sensor data acquisition, -analysis and transmission with limited bandwidths
• Control and regulation of drives using position data

Junior Professorship for Measurement, Sensor and Embedded Systems (MSE Lab)

• We conduct research at the MSE Lab on novel measurement and sensor systems in order to better understand and optimise complex processes.

Institute of Mechanical Engineering

Professorship Machine Elements, e.g.:

• Design and experimental investigation of tribologically loaded machine elements (seals, bearings, brake pads)
• Experimental investigation and modelling of tyre-road contact
• Determination of contact pressure, deformation, friction, -heating
• Designing the service life of machine elements
• Determining the fatigue strength of machines and systems
• Designing components of the front end structure
• Component tests on the crash test rig

Professorship of Additive Manufacturing, e.g. B.

• Comprehensive optimisation of the additive manufacturing process chain, production planning
• Investigation and development of innovative manufacturing processes with a focus on additive processes
• Investigation and development of novel materials for additive manufacturing with a focus on renewable or bio-based raw materials and residual materials
• . biobased raw materials and residual materials
• Design of additive manufacturing processes and machines
• Surface smoothing of complex metallic components using plasma electrolytic polishing
• Design for additive manufacturing

Institute of Machine Elements, Design and Manufacturing

Institute of Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics

Research at the Institute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mineral Processing covers the entire field of mechanical process engineering with a focus on particle technology and the processing of mineral and secondary raw materials. A particular focus is on particle systems and particle-particle interactions in non-aqueous liquids (organic solvents).
By analysing the interactions between individual particles, in particle collectives and between particles and the surrounding medium in detail, it is possible to describe the process laws of a large number of basic operations in mechanical process engineering - e.g. filtration and washing, sorting and classifying, grinding, dispersing and agglomerating. Building on this, specific developments in the areas of particle-filled composite materials and preparation processes are being driven forward.
All work focuses on the technical application and implementation, i.e. the apparatus technology of mechanical process engineering.

Institute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mineral Processing

Thermal Process Engineering working group, e.g.

• Reactive absorption and rectification
• Substance transport models, membrane contactors with dense membranes
• Modelling systems for pervaporation processes
• Analysis and optimisation of complex downstreaming processes
• Silica film flows on smooth and structured surfaces

Environmental and bioprocess engineering working group, e.g.

• Acid mine drainage
• Pollutant degradation by AOPs
• Natural product and coal extraction
• Forward osmosis for water desalination and separation of pollutants
• Tire thermolysis by induction, treatment of thermolysis gas and oils

Working group Agglomeration technology and natural product process engineering, e.g.B.:

• Refining of lignite, -xylite and harvest residues into composite pellets
• Moist pelletising processes for refining wear-intensive products
• Granulation processes for soft lignites
• Brown and biochars as soil conditioners
• Fuel feed systems for pressurised gasification systems

Institute of Thermal Process Engineering, Environmental and Natural Materials Process Engineering

Professorship for Technical Thermodynamics, e.g.

• Determination of thermophysical material data
• Numerical simulation in the design phase of self-developed apparatus
• Experimental determination of heat transfer coefficients
• Visualisation of flows
• Geothermal energy
• Flows with coupled transport processes
• Flows with free surfaces (film flows)

Professorship for Gas and Thermal Engineering and Thermal Engineering, z.B.

• Gas technology and energy technology: integration of climate-neutral energy sources into the gas supply (hydrogen, biogas); gas production and processing; energy storage, system analysis of energy and gas supply; production of hydrogen and biogas
• Combustion technology: Determination of combustion-related properties of gases and gas mixtures; development of combustion systems for industry and commerce; measures to reduce emissions; laser diagnostics - burner investigations
• Thermal process technology: Energy efficiency measures on and development of thermal process plants; application behaviour of high-temperature materials (wear and corrosion); hybrid technologies (microwave technologies, plasma processes)
• Numerical modelling: modelling of mass and heat transport; modelling of fluid dynamic processes in porous media, reactions in flows (combustion)

Institute of Thermal Engineering and Thermodynamics