Newsletter - Aachener Verfahrenstechnik - RWTH Aachen University

RÜHRKESSEL
4th volume, December 2011
The -Newsletter

Table of Contents
Greetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Research – A foresighted retrospect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The German Science Council – A review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Biochemical Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Chemical Process Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Enzyme Process Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Mechanical Process Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Molecular Simulations and Transformations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Process Systems Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Thermal Process Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Fairs, Conferences, Workshops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Social Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Alumni Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Imprint:
Publisher: Aachener Verfahrenstechnik
Editorial staff: Jan Bernd Bol, Jan-Hendrik Grosch
Cover design: Kerstin Lorenz, Serafin Stiefel
Cover picture: AVT staff in April 2011
Photographer: Nicolas Nauels
Postal address: Aachener Verfahrenstechnik, Templergraben 55, 52056 Aachen
Phone: +49 (0) 241 80-94668
Fax: +49 (0) 241 80-92326
Homepage: �����������������������������
E-Mail: ��������������������������

Dear colleagues, alumni and friends,
2011 approaches its end. AVT has experienced
many changes during the last 12 months. 2012
will hence be exciting and strategically as important
as this year.
In three AVT chairs we saw new developments:
Thomas Melin retired this year and, as planned,
Matthias Wessling has taken over the position
as head of Chemical Process Engineering
CVT. In January 2011, Wolfgang Marquardt
has been elected as president of the German
Science Council. Although this limits his input
to AVT’s operational activities, strategically he
is fortunately as active as ever. In November,
Andreas Pfennig, AVT spokesman and chairholder
Thermal Separation Processes, transferred
to TU Graz. In 2012, AVT has the opportunity to
appoint two new professors. A parallel professorship
will complement today’s Process Systems
Engineering research activities; the preparation
of the succession procedure of Andreas Pfenning
have started and will be at full swing beginning
2012.
In 2010 the AVT chairs developed a research
strategy on process engineering addressing the
sustainable exploitation of regenerative carbon
sources towards a new bio-based product value
chain. We succeeded in acquiring financial
resources to host this strategy in a new research
building: The Center for Next Generation
Products and Processes NGP 2 . The planning of
the new center NGP 2 , runs at full speed; the first
planning phases and the financial approvals are
concluded. Last details of lab infrastructure and
office need to be clarified before commissioning
procedures can start. Start of construction will
be in autumn 2012. NGP 2 will be the home of
all process engineering chairs where our shared
vision on future concepts are integrated. Of special
interest is the modular bio refinery, which will
be operated in tight cooperation with the RWTH
Cluster-of-Excellence TMFB (Tailor-Made Fuels
from Biomass).
The organizational activities within AVT were
strongly influenced by intensive preparations
for the extension proposals for the Cluster-of-
Excellence TMFB and the DFG Excellence Initiative.
We realize that AVT and its integration with
the molecular sciences at RWTH can be considered
a prototype for RWTH Aachen’s strategy
leading to an internationally recognized, integrated
and interdisciplinary technical university.
On behalf of the whole AVT I wish all readers a
peaceful and relaxing Christmas time and successful
new year.
Matthias Wessling
3 Greetings The AVT Newsletter

Research – A foresighted retrospect
At university we are doing research – this is certain
– at least as one activity amongst other
things. It is expected from us that we move the
world forward with new insights. Especially from
an engineer it is also expected that he develops
new technologies. From an outside view it almost
seems that research and science continually move
forward and that it is certain that they do so.
Looking back at my time in Aachen, quasi from
the inside, these matters appear to be sort of different.
I like to illustrate this using an example of
developing a thermodynamic model.
Originally the story started roughly 25 years ago
with the very personal insight that molecules
“see” each other with their surfaces. This was
anything but self-evident because the conventional
thermodynamic models consider mole or
weight fraction instead of surface fraction to characterize
how often molecules of different kind
meet in the mixture. Having a closer look at molecules
it is obvious that e. g. the alcohol group is
not a homogeneous group, it rather has a positive
and a negative pole. Based on long discussions
with my former tutor Prof. Dr. Johann Gaube
from Darmstadt, a first model was developed,
GEQUAC, which could consider the different poles
of a group (Ph.D. thesis of Katja Egner). Only
later it occurred that this is the same thermodynamics
which is used in COSMO-RS.
Even today I remember how happy we were then
to put all this into one equation. An equation everyone
could use, even if there was now the issue
of how to determine parameters between all poles
of all groups and not only between the structural
groups as in former models. Obviously this
is a complex task. At the same time there was the
vague idea that it should be possible to develop
a generalized version of this model that would allow
to reduce the number of adjustable parameters.
Alcohol groups are different between different
molecules, but possibly not too much. Thus
it was attempted to develop a generalized version
of the model. It turned out that this is possible
in principle (Ph.D. of Gerhard Ehlker), but if
we took a closer look not only energetic interactions
had to be considered that would be easy to
generalize, but rather also entropic effects have
to be taken into account that systematically resisted
generalization. An initially vague idea came
to our minds, that this is related to the relative
organization of interaction centers on the molecular
surface, which is a steric effect after all.
It was tried to describe this in a next attempt. A
first goal was to somehow manage to grasp this
effect quantitatively at all. This was achieved by
regarding small cubic molecules with faces that
are subdivided into poles that interact with individual
energies (Ph.D. thesis of Georg Pielen).
Based on this simplified model it was shown that
larger structures of molecules form within the liquid.
This is of course common knowledge and
has been shown already by spectroscopic experiments
with real mixtures, but the molecular simulation
now allowed studying the source of the
effect in more detail. Simultaneously it was clear
that it would be hard to describe this thermodynamically.
Evidently the entire surface with its
three-dimensional structure is essential for the
thermodynamic behavior and not only independently
interacting centers, like they are accounted
for by COSMO-RS. Only the most recent attempt
yielded thermodynamics accounting for the
three-dimensionality of molecules (Ph.D. thesis
of Rob Bronneberg). Here again various molecular
simulations with different sorts of simplifications
guided the way.
If I look back I realize that the current model is
too complex and can only be solved iteratively
that 25 years ago with the then available computer
power this approach could not have been
successfully applied. At the same time it becomes
evident that research is not proceeding in a
straight manner. There were always pauses for
reflection and new ideas necessary to be able to
tackle the next step. If research is to move forward,
it is also required that new junior researchers
introduce their new and different questions
and thoughts into the struggle for progress.
The driving force in this is the originally vague
supposition that there indeed is a solution to the
problem and the enthusiastic search for exactly
this solution. This driving force is supported by a
certain trust that modeling gets better the more
the model tries to depict details of reality. Again
The AVT Newsletter Research – A foresighted retrospect 4

and again there is first a diffuse intuition that the
next step is going into the right direction, which is
then tried to be supported by various rudimentary
tests. That is probably what theory of science
calls abduction, where in theory it may never become
clear how vague the next step actually is.
Bearing all this in mind, I like to thank all the
people who have supported me with their ideas
and their work in Aachen. These are not only the
scientific group members who contributed with
their thoughts, ideas as well as with their questions.
Rather, this also includes the non-scientific
staff - without whom research would not be possible
and who help to keep research running.
Also these are the legions of student assistants,
who do a good portion of the work. In particular, I
like to thank “the AVT”, that supported me in the
entire context of university work. I like to cordially
thank all companions on my journey in Aachen
for their continued support. Luck and success to
AVT and all the best for the future with all of the
challenging projects (NGP 2 , excellence, etc.)!
And to all of us I wish a lot of good foresighted
ideas and the required patience for the many
little steps, which hopefully on the whole will be
realized as progress if we look back in the future.
Andreas Pfennig, ICVTUT, TU Graz
The German Science Council – A review of chairman
Prof. Wolfgang Marquardt
On January, 28th 2011, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Marquardt
was elected chairman of the German
Council of Science and Humanities. The Science
Council advises the Federal Government and
the German states’ governments on the contextual
and structural development of universities,
science and research. We interrogated the chairman
of the German Council of Science and Humanities
more closely on the tasks and challenges
he has been faced with last year.
Mr. Marquardt, in addition to your professorship
at the AVT-Prozesstechnik, you are now
holding an honorary post as chairman of the
German Council of Science and Humanities.
Could you please present us a few aspects of
your current activities in the Science Council?
The Council for Science recently published a
position paper on the quality assurance of the
doctorate procedure and a recommendation for
the assessment and control of research performance.
The council submits regularly opinions
on universities of non-governmental organisations
and extramural research institutions, like for
example on the Hertie School of Governance in
Berlin, which has been awarded the tempora-
ry right to confer doctorates. Future recommendations
will for example be concerned with law,
high-performance computing or with the analysis
and evaluation of the system of higher education
in Saxony-Anhalt. An important subject, which
will occupy us the next years, is the advancement
of the scientific system and it’s financing after
the expiration of the corporate Bund-Länderprograms,
like for example the Excellence Initiative.
Until now you are only the third engineer,
who is holding the chairmanship in the history
of the Science Council. Do you see any
advantages arising from your perspective as
an engineer, when counseling ministries and
scientific organisations?
Of course, the technical background and personal
experience have a great influence on
the treatment and assessment of scientific problems.
The methods of an engineer are definitely
more pragmatic and solution-oriented as they
are discursive and analytic. Whether that gives
the engineer advantage over medical scientist or
humanist in advising the science policy remains
to be seen.
5 The German Science Council – A review The AVT Newsletter

Do you notice an inverse influence of your
new position on the content of research, education
or the structure in your institute Process
Systems Engineering or the whole AVT?
Certainly the work with the Science Council sharpens
the view on the ensemble, the systemic.
During my time in Aachen I was already used to
this perspective, because I like it and because it
is helpful to keep an eye on more than your own
field. I do not see a retroactivity of my experience
in the Science Council with regards to content.
Certainly, the work in the Science Council
influences my activities in Aachen. Now there is
not enough time left for all the things I did gladly
and with dedication in Aachen before taking the
chairmanship of the Science Council. In Aachen,
I concentrate essentially on the research work of
the group.
If you review last year, are there things you
would like to change? Are there things you
intend to do next year?
I haven’t had many degrees of freedom within
my power last year. So far I kept all the balls in
Aachen, Cologne and Berlin in the air without
disturbing the so-called work-live-balance completely.
This was only possible due to the kindly
help of many people in Cologne and particularly
in Aachen in the institute, where the Situation
has been addressed in a very constructive way.
Of course there are always things you like to do
next year. In addition to a lot of content related
aims, both in science policy and in science, I hope
that we will shortly find a good solution for the
filling of the chair of “Systemverfahrenstechnik”.
Last question, will you spend Christmas relaxed
underneath the Christmas tree?
Quite certain. After the year-end rally, I will spend
Christmas in the circle of the family and then enjoy
my winter holidays in Wallis with hopefully
good snow to recharge my batteries.
The interview was conducted by Wanda Frohn.
The AVT Newsletter The German Science Council – A review 6

A separative year
The same question as every year for the authors:
What have been the most important outcomes
of the last year? On closer inspection, 2011 turned
out to be the year of separation for BioVT.
Foremost, the “integrated product separation” of
EPT had to be handled. Even though the new
gap officially divided offices and colleagues, joint
strategy days and a memorable chair excursion
conserved the good team spirit. The only discrimination
was reported for office phones which
punctually refused to display the EPT coworkers
on their screen. For the scientific community, the
outsourcing of the enzyme sector also led to a
rearrangement of research focus at BioVT. In addition
to the traditional fields of shaken cultures
and fermentation, BioVT will focus on integrated
product removal and whole cell transformations
in the future.
Advanced whale watching: The MoBiDiK project
Funded by the Hightech NRW Iniative, the Mo-
BiDiK project has been successfully established
this year despite some delays. The catchy abbreviation
can be translated as “modular bioproduction
– disposable and continuous”. In this project,
a continuous membrane bioreactor for mammalian
cell cultures will be developed in cooperation
with CVT. Thereby, new ways for the production
of monoclonal antibodies can be investigated.
Although these antibodies are considered as one
of the most interesting therapeutic substances,
their production still has a great potential for optimization.
By retaining the mammalian cells and
by applying sufficient process conditions, spacetime-yield
might be improved by factor ten, reducing
working volume as well as costs.
First of all, the characterization of the reactor will
be performed with a fast-growing model organism.
Thereby, data can be gathered faster and
more parameters can be evaluated. To a later
point, the comparability between the model organism
and the mammalian cell culture will be verified.
Since sensitive mammalian cells and com-
Biochemical Engineering
plex products promises the fermentation process
a hard time, long term experiments will be performed
to ensure the applicability of the membrane
bioreactor. Nevertheless, many renowned cooperation
partners with the leadership of Bayer
Technology Service will do their best to prevent
shipwreck.
Go for whole cells: Tailoring selectivity of
whole cell biotransformations by organic solvents
(SeLeCa)
BioVT has long-standing expertise concerning
biocatalysts. Since EPT has separated as the
specialists on that field, BioVT’s future focus
will be on the whole cell biotransformation. The
currently started project, described in the following,
displays this new research focus. The project
“Tailoring selectivity of whole cell biotransformations
by organic solvents” is part of the international
and interdisciplinary research training
program SeleCa (selectivity in chemo- and biocatalysis),
which is funded by the DFG and the
Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science.
SeleCa aims for a better understanding of catalytic
processes on a molecular level. Combining
chemical and biological catalysis provides superior
solutions for selective conversions. Thus, selectivity
of such catalyzed reactions becomes a
central issue to be addressed for the efficient fine
chemical production; in particular one considers
the structural and functional complexity of
some of the products. To aim these interdisciplinary
objectives, nine research teams of RWTH
Aachen University together with one associated
group of Research Centre Jülich cooperate with
ten research groups of Osaka University in Japan
- also in intensive transnational exchange of
graduate students. Currently, our co-worker Sylvia
Diederichs is visiting the research facilities in
Osaka.
Within the project “Tailoring selectivity of whole
cell biotransformations by organic solvents”
a selective production of the enantiomerically
pure 5R-hydroxyhexane-2-one should be established.
This ketone is a key intermediate in
the production of pharmaceuticals, catalysts and
7 Biochemical Engineering The AVT Newsletter

flavoring compounds. Instead of a conventionally
enzymatic conversion, recombinant whole
cell catalysts are applied which express the
enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). ADH
catalyzes the reduction of 2,5-hexanedione to
2R,5R-hexanediol within the target product 5Rhydroxyhexane-2-one
is formed as an intermediate
(Fig.1). Therefore, the reaction should be
manipulated to accumulate the valuable intermediate.
Fig.1: Reaction scheme.
As depicted in Fig.2, the recombinant whole cells
are cultivated in a two-phase system. While the
microorganisms are located in the aqueous phase,
the organic phase works as an in-situ extraction
agent for the intermediate which is consequently
removed from the reaction and not further
converted into the undesired final product.
Moreover, the solvent acts as a substrate reservoir
to circumvent substrate inhibition.
Fig.2: Whole cell biotransformation of 5Rhydroxyhexane-2-one
in a two-phase system.
Besides the search for a suitable solvent, which
does not affect the microbial activity, a applicable
whole cell catalytic system has to be designed.
The latter is carried out in cooperation
with Prof. Ohtake from the Institute of Social and
Economic Research of Osaka University. During
a three month researching at this institute, the
BioVT member Sylvia Diederichs wants to identify
an ADH, which catalyzes the desired reaction
and can be transformated into a suitable microbial
system.
The AVT Newsletter Biochemical Engineering 8

For the Chemical Process Engineering Department
2011 was a year with a balanced mixture of
new experiences and well known events. At the
Christmasparty 2010, which in combination with
an alumni reunion was a trip into the institute history,
Thomas Melin passed the Chair officially
on to Matthias Wessling. Already in January a
new tradition was started by organizing a membrane
winterschool. In spring the new labs in the
chemistry building in Melaten were ready to use,
the completion of the new mini-plant space was
in October. The move had become necessary,
because our well loved “Halle 2” was demolished
in order to have enough space for a new central
lecture hall building.
Fig.3: A “Thank you” for Professor Melin
In the style of the well know hat ceremony after
each PhD examination on the 8th of July 2011
in the already almost empty “Halle 2”, a honorary
hat ceremony for Professor Melin took place,
after he had passed his exam in the form of a
lecture with slides unknown to him.
Despite - or maybe because of - all this changes,
intense research activities realised. In the following
two exemplary projects will be presented.
Chemical Process Engineering
Membrane-based biogas upgrading
Biogas is a renewable and alternative energy
source. In contrast to solar and wind power, biogas
is generated continuously. Biogas consists
mainly of methane and carbon dioxide. It can be
used by either removing carbon dioxide and inject
the upgraded biogas into the natural gas grid
or by combusting the untreated gas in conventional
heat and power engines. The latter alternative
is inefficient since the heat generated during
combustion can often not be used.
CH 4, CO 2
1.1 bar 16 bar
Fermenter
CO 2
1 bar
Membrane
CH 4
16 bar
Fig.4: Process scheme for membrane based
biogas upgrading
In order to use biogas as natural gas substitute,
carbon dioxide has to be removed from the methane.
Conventional processes to separate carbon
dioxide from methane are amine and water
scrubbing as well as pressure swing adsorption.
However, gas permeation membranes are an
alternative separation method. Typically polymeric
membrane materials can be used to separate
methane and carbon dioxide as carbon dioxide
molecules permeate faster through the membrane
than methane molecules. Gas permeation
technology is an interesting alternative compared
to conventional separation equipment since
the product gas which is supplied to the natural
gas grid is already compressed and further
compression is not required. Thus, biogas upgrading
and gas compression are combined in
one step. In addition, gas permeation technology
operates without any chemicals, which is advantageous
when the biogas plant is installed onfarm.
However, significant methane losses cannot
be avoided when operating gas permeation
modules.
9 Chemical Process Engineering The AVT Newsletter
Natural gas pipeline

To tackle this drawback, new membrane materials
as well as multi stage gas permeation
concepts can significantly reduce methane losses.
Hence, gas permeation becomes competitive
to conventional separation equipment. Recently,
we investigate membrane based as well
as conventional biogas upgrading equipment. In
a first step we analyze various commercial gas
permeation modules which are able to separate
carbon dioxide and methane. The separation
performance is specified by experimental data
obtain on a gas permeation test facility. Here,
we can mix and analyze up to seven gases and
add water vapor. We developed a comprehensive
model of a gas permeation module which relies
on the experimental obtained data and which
can be applied in process simulation. Thus, gas
permeation processes as well as hybrid processes
in which membrane technology and conventional
separation equipment are combined can
be analyzed. The simulation results will be implemented
in a commercial scale biogas upgrading
plant.
Fig.5: Biogas plant
News on the ion exchange technology - bipolar
membranes
Electrodialysis (ED) is a well-established electrochemical
membrane separation process. It
separates different charged species using ionexchange
membranes. Ion exchange membranes
are polymeric membranes with fixed charges
attached to the membrane matrix. Depending
on the type of ions, the membrane can hold
back anions or cations. A special type of ion exchange
membranes are the bipolar membranes
(BPM). These membranes consist of an anion
layer attached to a cation layer. Water diffuses
in the membrane during a process. In an electric
field the water inside the BM will dissociate and
the ions will leave the membrane resulting in an
increased or decreased pH of the solution adjacent
to the membrane. Consequently ED with
BPM is the only known process applicable for
acidification/alkalization without the use of additional
chemicals.
Water supply to the membrane is one of the main
factors that limit its applications. The New-ED
project, coordinated by AVT.CVT, aims to improve
the water transport in the membrane, by manufacturing
new type of bipolar membrane with
porous intermediate layers or channels . These
channels directly provide water for the water
splitting, thus increasing the process efficiency.
Fig.6: New concept for bipolar membranes
(Quelle: Balster J., PhD Thesis, UT
Twente, Enschede, NL, 2006)
One possible application of the new BM is the
electrodialysis with bipolar membranes (EDBM)
in the excellence cluster TMFB. TMFB aims at
producing fuels from renewable sources which
do not compete with the food chain. In the process,
biomass is fermented and the liquid containing
a platform chemical is removed. Afterwards
the platform chemical is acidified in the EDBM,
to obtain higher yields in an extraction step that
follows the EDBM. The aqueous phase of the
extraction is recycled to the EDBM for alkalization,
which is afterwards is used to control pH of
the fermenter. The main focus of the work on the
EDBM in the TMFB cluster is to find the optimal
process control, with improved efficiency of the
whole integrated process.
The AVT Newsletter Chemical Process Engineering 10

A year of EPT – What have we done?
Much has happened since the founding of the
new department, Enzyme Process Technology
on Oct. 1st, 2010 under the supervision of Prof.
Dr.-Ing. Antje Spiess. The number of employees
has steadily risen. In addition, Tina Zechendorf
has joined the department as secretary and Dr.
Kerstin Würges has joined as the department’s
first Post Doc in November. To accommodate the
new staff members, new office space next to the
new lab was opened. Even with the steady increase
in staff members, it is anticipated that Philip
Engel will be the first doctoral graduate from
EPT.
Good things come to those who wait – Inauguration/opening
of the new EPT labs
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the building department,
the new laboratories are ready for use
after a delay of six months. After much ordering
of lab equipment and chemicals, equipment from
EPT could be moved from the BioVT labs into
the new labs. The new labs were ready for use
as of early August. Since the EPT laboratories
are not suitable for working with specially modified
organisms and many of the devices are also
used by the BioVT, we look forward to continuing
our close, cooperative collaboration between our
two institutes.
The DWI at the RWTH Aachen University –
Laboratory for Interactive Materials DWI/LIM
The DWI, funded by the state of NRW, is a research
institute closely associated with RWTH
Aachen University. Founded in 1952 as the German
Wool Research Institute, the DWI currently
consists of 100 scientists and graduate students.
From the beginning, its focus was on wool
and textile research, with an emphasis on protein,
macromolecular chemistry, and biomaterials
research. In the last 8 years, the DWI has
reorganized itself and established three longterm
research programs to develop interactive
materials. This includes, in particular, bio-hybrid
Enzyme Process Technology
and novel water-based high-performance materials
that are not only interesting from a scientific
point of view but also play an increasingly
important role economically in many areas.
A highly developed understanding of molecular
and molecular mechanisms in biology, medicine,
physics, chemistry and engineering make it
possible to extend the functionality of increasingly
complex material properties and capabilities.
This allows, for example, the combination of material
components, e.g. by linking with biological
components, and the directed adaptation of
the material structure to changing environmental
conditions. Applications arise where functionality
with contact to the surface is required, e.g. in
the field of biomaterials and functional membranes
and in the future, also with intelligent soft
materials. To achieve these long-term goals, the
department of Molecular Chemistry (Prof.s Möller,
Böker, Pich) has been strengthened within
the last two years through cooperation with the
Biotechnology department (Schwaneberg) and
the Aachener Verahrenstechnik – Chemical Process
Technology (Wessling) and Enzyme Process
Technology (Spiess) departments.
What we do – EPT Research Focus
Research activities in the department of Enzyme
Process Technology include developing mechanistically
accurate descriptions of interactions
between the enzyme and reaction medium.
Furthermore, interactions are explored in reaction
networks in order to identify design criteria
for integrated enzyme reactors and to characterize
processes. Thematically, related research
projects fall into three categories:
As part of the Cluster of Excellence TMFB, the
enzymatic conversion of cellulose and lignin to
platform chemicals is addressed. Here, the application
of innovative solvents, which improves the
accessibility of substrates for enzymatic catalysis,
is emphasized. To describe the enzymatic
hydrolysis of cellulose and lignin, the underlying
mechanisms of the reaction is investigated and
suitable mathematical models are developed.
11 Enzyme Process Technology The AVT Newsletter

Fig.7: EPT structure.
Another area of focus is the development and
study of enzyme-catalyzed reactions in various
reactor types and reaction media. Many biocatalysts
in organic solvents have little to no activity.
Therefore, enzyme processes in aqueousorganic
two-phase systems were developed,
which, through immobilization in hydrogels increases
enzyme stability. In gas-phase catalysis,
high process temperatures often interfere with
enzyme stability. A basic understanding of deactivation
is necessary to optimize multi-phase enzyme
processes. Other projects deal with modeling
and analysis of kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed
reaction networks in order to gain a quantitative
understanding of the reaction steps. By formulating
mechanistic model-based approaches
with accurate parameters, it may help to elucidate
the relationship between structure and function
of the different enzymes. As of November
2011, a new research group within AVT.EPT, in
cooperation with DWI, was established.
Research: Identification of reaction kinetics
for the analysis of the reaction mechanism of
ThDP-dependent enzymes
Thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent enzymes
are multifunctional biocatalysts. They are
able to form or cleave bonds between carbon
and other atoms such as hydrogen, oxygen or
nitrogen. The pharmaceutical industry is especially
interested in the formation of C-C bonds
between aldehydes yielding enantiopure hydroxyketones,
which are important building blocks
for drugs and natural products.
The reaction mechanism of ThDP-dependent
enzymes consists of three rate-determining reaction
steps, two substrate binding steps and
one product release step (Fig.8). If two different
aldehydes A and B are used as substrates, this
reaction mechanism is extended to a complex reaction
network. From this reaction network, up to
four different products AA, AB, BA and BB can
be formed (Fig.8, below). For the optimization
of enzyme processes, the reaction mechanism
needs to be fully understood. Therefore, an important
tool is the identification of reaction kinetics.
Progress curve experiments are conducted
in which the concentrations of the reactants are
measured over time. These data sets are then
used for the formulation of a mechanistic model
approach and the estimation of kinetic parameters.
Based on the kinetic parameters, each of
the reaction steps in the network can be quantified.
Consequently, this method can contribute to
the identification of rate-limiting steps in the reaction
mechanism. By considering different enzymes,
this method can also help to elucidate
the structure-function-relationships of ThDPdependent
enzymes.
Fig.8: Schematic illustration of the reaction mechanism
of ThDP-dependent enzymes
(above) and the resulting reaction network
(below).
The AVT Newsletter Enzyme Process Technology 12

TMFB
Within the Cluster of Excellence “Tailor-Made
Fuels from Biomass” the selective conversion
process from biomass into the third generation
of biofuels is explored. Since pretreatment makes
biomass accessible to any further solution
and chemical or enzymatic transformation, it is a
step which is necessary and essential for the entire
downstream process. At the chair of Mechanical
Process Engineering the mechanical pretreatment
process for lignocellulosic biomass by
using a screw press is investigated. Screw presses
are not typical size reduction machines. The
screw press used for this purpose is an oil press
which demonstrates continuous high shear and
pressure forces of that system. However the construction
of the screw press is usually based on
empirical data, which does not allow the analytical
adaption to biomass pretreatment. The research
mainly focuses on the improvement of
the screw press process for achieving an optimal
decomposition of the lignocellulosic structure for
further processing and allowing for efficient depolymerisation
of the biomass (Fig.9).
Fig.9: Simplified flow diagram for mechanical
pretreatment of wooden biomass (above),
Optical micrographs (below).
The development and optimisation of an innovative
screw press suitable for the pretreatment of
biomass is regarded as the central subject of the
research. The aimed scientific result is to find a
quantitative relation between applied mechanical
stress which mainly depends on the screw design,
the operational parameters and the structural
change of the material. First results show
Mechanical Process Engineering
the general feasibility of the targeted process for
comminution of wooden (Fig.9) and green biomass
(Fig.10) in a screw press and demonstrate
the effect of the screw geometry being important
for successful transportation and compression.
The screw press has many advantages such
as the ability to provide high shear and pressure
forces, effective dewatering, short processing
time and its adaptability to process modification.
In the future the research will address the
equipment design for the combination of mechanical
and chemical pretreatment in one speciallydesigned
screw press.
Fig.10: Mechanical pretreatment of grass by
using a screw press.
Ostwald ripening in semi-solid alloys
What are the rheologists actually doing the whole
day inside that mysterious laboratory? Well,
at least part of the time they are investigating a
phenomenon which was described by the chemist
Wilhelm Ostwald in 1896 and named after
the same person. In between spending two extra
years to complete high school, and winning the
Nobel Prize for his work on catalysts and chemical
reaction rates in 1909, Ostwald observed a
phenomenon causing particles suspended in a
solution to grow. This effect, known as Ostwald
ripening, is diffusional and caused by a minimization
of surface energy in the system. In the
rheology lab we are primarily investigating semisolid
alloys. These are alloys which are not in
a complete liquid or a complete solid state, but
consisting of solid particles suspended in a liquid
matrix; in semi solid alloys Ostwald ripening
is observed. Semi solid alloys are used for thixo
casting processes which are used to manufacture
products such as laptop cages, automobile
13 Mechanical Process Engineering The AVT Newsletter

parts etc. If you observe a cross section of a thixo
formed part (or the starting material used for
thixo casting process) through a microscope, the
structure of the material may look like the picture
below to the right. If you look at a material of the
same chemical composition, but for a traditional
pressure casting process it may look like the picture
to the left (Fig.11.
Fig.11: Samples of the aluminum alloy A356.
Left: quenched from liquid, middle:
sheared in the semi solid state for 5 minutes,
right: sheared in the semi solid
state for 3 hours.
The thixo forming material goes through a process
to obtain this desired structure, which results
in completely different flow properties and
hence product properties. As rheologists we are
investigating the rheological (flow) properties of
the material using a rheometer with an integrated
oven shown in Fig.12.
The material’s flow properties are changing due
to the Ostwald ripening effect. We are working
in the constitution of a model to describe this
effect in the thixo forming material. The rate of
the Ostwald ripening is influenced by temperature,
amount and duration of shear and other
chemical and physical parameters of the alloy.
We are investigating these influences: The rheological
properties are being measured, then the
samples are quenched (shock frozen) to solid
and investigated under a microscope. Through
the rheological and optical investigations, we are
coupling the parameter influence on the ripening
process as well as the influence of the ripening
process on the flow properties of the material.
The results will be used to verify the model as
the constitution of this proceeds.
Fig.12: Measurement set-up for rheological
preparation and measurements. Left:
Rheometer with integrated oven, middle:
rheometer cup and rotational body,
left: aluminum sample after measurement.
The AVT Newsletter Mechanical Process Engineering 14

Molecular Simulations and Transformations
Research in Tailor-Made Fuels from Biomass
As part of the Tailor-Made Fuels from Biomass
Cluster of Excellence, we perform molecular simulations
on components of interest in the biofuel
production process, with a focus on materials
involved in the synthesis of novel fuels from
biomass, ranging from cellulosic precursors to
intermediate “platform chemicals” to the final fuel
candidates.
Research on the behavior of intermediate compounds,
such as methylsuccinic acid (MSA) and
methyltetrahydrofuran, in ionic liquids and in
water, suggests that the chemical structure of
the platform chemicals has a strong correlation
with their behavior in solution. For instance,
in [BMIM]Cl, methylbutanediol forms relatively
small clusters, with only a few interconnecting
Cl atoms in between the monomers. By contrast,
placed in the same medium, MSA forms
extended “chains” containing tens of monomers
with Cl atoms acting as “bridges” in the interstitial
space between adjacent molecules. Having
successfully probed the interactions of platform
chemicals, we are now extending this work to include
the study of the interaction of small cellulose
“bundles” that mimic the dissolution behavior
of a miniature cellulose “crystal” placed in ionic
liquid.
Other collaborative efforts as part of the TMFB
program include an ongoing effort with the group
of Prof. Kai Leonhard (LTT) to study the connections
between the COSMO-RS method, which
uses combinatorial approaches combined with
quantum chemical calculations to predict molecular
properties, with molecular simulations.
Preliminary results suggest that the accuracy of
COSMO-RS predictions are directly related to
the nature of charge distributions within the molecule:
nonpolar molecules, or molecules with
weak charge distributions, usually agree well
with experiment, while “densely”-charged chemicals
offer poorer agreement.
Fig.13: Local water environment around a 3-
MTHF molecule, as revealed by molecular
dynamics simulations.
Research in the AICES Graduate School
Two new projects were started at the AICES Graduate
School during 2011. as two new AICES
fellows joined the MST group.
The first project involves the study of molecular
structure and dynamics at interfaces. Current
methodologies for analyzing these systems relies
on force fields that are characterized primarily
for bulk phases. As a result, interactions that
take place across interfaces – such as wetting,
penetration, dissolution, and solvation – are frequently
inaccurate, and in many cases simulation
results contradict directly with experimental
observations. By using improved and more accurate
methodologies for handling and parameterizing
interfacial interactions, we will provide better
predictions for the important area of multiphase
processes.
In collaboration with the research group of Dr.
Roger Sauer (AICES), we are also examining
the interactions between contact mechanics and
molecular dynamics. Contact between surfaces
is inherently a multiscale process, as atomiclevel
interactions between charges is also balanced
by nano-, micro- and mesoscopic material
properties such as surface roughness.
15 Molecular Simulations and Transformations The AVT Newsletter

Consequently, understanding the deep connection
between the nanoscale processes that can
be studied using molecular dynamics with the
continuum-scale processes of contact mechanics
will have many useful applications, including
the understanding of experimental measurements
from tools such as atomic force microscopy,
as well as in the design of “specialized”
materials with targeted properties, such as selfcleaning
and biofouling-resistant surfaces.
Future collaborative work within AICES is planned,
particularly in the area of developing new
algorithms to exploit recent advances in computer
architecture to improve the performance and
efficiency of molecular simulations. Determination
and optimization of force field parameters for
new materials is also an area of active interest
within the group.
Teaching Activities
Two courses are currently taught within the
group. Each winter semester, the second-year
required course “Simulationstechnik II: Grundlagen
der Simulationstechnik” for students in the
Bachelor’s program of the Computational Engineering
Sciences (CES) program in mechanical
engineering. In the summer semester, “Introduction
to Molecular Simulations” is offered to students
in the Chemical Engineering, Energy Engineering,
CES, and Simulation Sciences programs.
Although initially offered as a master’s
elective, the course has drawn substantial interest
from bachelor’s students as well.
Additional lectures have also been given as part
of the introductory seminar course “Simulations-
technik I” in the CES program, as well as in “Molecular
Modelling.” We plan to expand our offerings
in the area of molecular engineeringïn future
semesters.
Other Activities
Members of the MST group have been active in
several other initiatives, including the inaugural
Aachen Conference on Computational Engineering
Science (AC.CES 2011), held at RWTH in
July. The three-day program attracted an international
audience for a series of plenary invited
talks by world-renowned experts from the field
of computational engineering science. In addition,
the group participated in the UROP International
program of RWTH, which brings Englishspeaking
students to Aachen for a summer-long
research program.
The MST group, along with AICES and MathCCES,
is one of the founding partners of
the Computational and Mathematical Modeling
Program (CAMMP; �����������������
��������������), a week-long enrichment program
for Abitur students at area high schools
that introduces them to the world of computational
problem-solving using both theoretical tools
and simulations. Attracting students from across
western Nordrhein-Westphalen, we are looking
to expand the program to the entire Euregio area
in 2012. Of particular interest is our goal to increase
the representation of women within computational
engineering science at all levels, with a
special emphasis on ëarly exposureto increase
enrollment at the undergraduate level.
The AVT Newsletter Molecular Simulations and Transformations 16

New group structure for NADYN and OECON
In order to meet the need for research on optimal
process control and to guarantee goal oriented
research, a new group structure was defined
at the Strategy Workshop 2010 at AVT.PT. The
newly founded NADYN group (Numerical Algorithms
for Dynamic Optimization) develops numerical
efficient algorithms for dynamic mixedinteger
optimization which allows to focus on
economic optimal plant operation already during
process design. The methodology developed
is integrated in a dynamic optimization environment
by the OECON group (Optimal Estimation
and Control) such that optimal process control
can be realized while rejecting disturbances
during online plant operation.
Re-implementation of DRTO-Toolbox
A software project is often like a garden: If you
neglect to remove the weeds, and if you do
not regularly replace aged plants by new ones,
then your garden can become a thick jungle
full of monsters (“bugs”). Only the most daring
(or desperate) will dare to move through such
jungles. Lately the OECON group at AVT.PT has
experienced this with their “DRTO-Toolbox”, a
Matlab-gPROMS-based simulation environment
for dynamic real-time optimization and nonlinear
model-predictive control. After some deliberation,
the group concluded that the software in
its present form had become so difficult to use,
that it would need to be re-implemented from the
ground up.
During the week of November 6th to 11th, the
DRTO work group (consisting of Inga Wolf, David
Elixmann, Holger Scheu, René Schneider and
Maxim Stuckert) set out to tackle this challenging
task. During this week, the members of the
work group locked themselves into office 125 in
the EHK building and dedicated their full efforts
to the job. And they were successful! At the end
of the week, they had completed a functioning
prototype of the “DRTO-Toolbox 2.0”! All partici-
Process Systems Engineering
pants in this project are proud and relieved about
again having a reliable and working version of
the software for their research efforts.
Distributed Model Predictive Control
The process control group’s most important progress
within the last year could be achieved for
distributed model-predictive methods. In contrast
to classical decentralized control methods, the
new distributed MPC methods are explicitly communication
among the local controllers of the distributed
control topology. AVT process systems
engineering group is mainly focussing on a new
sensitivity-based approach for the coordination
of the different controllers. Sensitivities are a sufficient
information to be shared among to controllers
to derive a plant-wide optimal controller
realization. First case-studies have demonstrated
the numerical efficiency of the new method.
Hierarchical NMPC for Economically Optimal
Process Operation
In the last few years, dynamic real-time optimization
has been established in research since
it enables the economically optimal operation of
large-scale processes. In industry, however, dynamic
real-time optimization is not widespread
due to the significant computing time. Thus, an
extended two-layer architecture has been developed
by 1 , which considers slow disturbance
trends in the upper layer rigorous optimization,
while fast disturbances are rejected in the lower
layer neighboring-extremal controller. In contrast
to similar architectures, a time-scale separation
of disturbances is employed and the optimization
problems of both layers are consistent. Consequently,
this architecture is an important step
towards online application.
DyOS
DyOS (Dynamic Optimization Software) is a software
for the solution of dynamic optimization
1 L. Würth, R. Hannemann, W. Marquardt. A two-layer architecture for economically optimal process control and operati-
on. In Journal of Process Control. 21, 2011. pp. 311-321
17 Process Systems Engineering The AVT Newsletter

problems, which has been developed at the
Chair of Process Engineering (now AVT.PT) already
since the year 2000. The results of a number
of doctoral theses have contributed to the
development of DyOS. The software has not
only been employed in the research activity at
AVT.PT, but also in cooperations with other universities
and industry. DyOS continues to be
actively developed. This year the NaDyn (Numerical
Algorithms for Dynamic Optimization)
group at AVT.PT has started a complete objectoriented
reimplementation of DyOS to assure also
in future the flexibility and robustness of the
software.
Energy Efficiency Management
It is well known, that energy efficiency is one of
the most economic and sustainable means to increase
energy efficiency. This research project
is concerned with the evaluation of the energetic
optimum of a separation process. Methods to
identify the minimum energy demand for an existing
process are well known. However, the identification
of possible energy savings must be applied
to a process that is optimal in terms of all
degrees of freedom, operational as well as structural.
AVT.PT pursues an innovative concept
to analyze a process systematically by means
of simplified models (shortcuts) of relevant unit
operations. Therefore one goal of AVT.PT within
this project is the development of thermodynamically
sound shortcut models for the efficient
evaluation of the energetically optimal structure
of separation processes.
New EU and DFG Projects
By approving both OPTICO and COOPOL project
proposals, the European Commission allows
AVT.PT to continue its research on polymerization
processes. While the scope of OPTICO is to
extend the MEXA methodology to polymerization
processes, COOPOL will mainly focus on methods
for on-line state estimation and dynamic
real-time optimization. The development of methods
and algorithms for robust dynamic optimization
is also the objective of the recently DFGapproved
project entitled “Strategies for robust
dynamic optimization in real-time”.
New book authored by Tao Liu
Tao Liu and Furong Gao are the authors of the
book titled “Industrial Process Identification and
Control Design: Step-test and Relay-experimentbased
Methods” that will be published by Springer
at the end of this year. The book presents
advanced industrial process identification and
control methods, with an attention to time delay
that is ubiquitous in engineering practices. Corresponding
methods proposed for SISO as well
as MIMO systems and accompanied by easy-tofollow
examples and practical applications.
Grand Challenges for Process Control Technology
Control technologies are employed in process industries,
robotics and many other fields of engineering.
A report about success stories and
future challenges in the field of control was published
by IEEE CSS “The Impact of Control
Technology”. In particular all kind of network problems
pose great challenges for control research.
The chair of Process Systems Engineering
contributed an article about grand challenges for
control in the field of process manufacturing networks
to “The Impact of Control Technology”.
PEAXACT goes commercial
Over 10 years ago, chair of process systems
engineering (today known as AVT.PT) started
development of an analysis software for optical
spectra called “SPAIX” (today known as
PEAXACT). This year, S·PACT GmbH – a joint
spin-off company of AVT.PT and technical chemistry
(ITMC) founded in 2010 – finished evolving
PEAXACT from a prototype to a commercial
product. Among the PEAXACT users are several
RWTH institutes, other inland and overseas universities,
as well as international companies.
AixCAPE e.V.
AixCAPE e.V. is a non-selfish organization that
originated from the chair of Process Systems Engineering
(AVT.PT, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt).
The consortium focuses on case studies
and research projects in Computer Aided
The AVT Newsletter Process Systems Engineering 18

Process Engineering in close collaboration with
universities and its member companies from the
(petro-)chemical industries. Since July 2011 Aix-
CAPE has a new managing director, Dr. Werner
Merk, who has held various managerial positions
at The Dow Chemical Company.
Stay abroad
Between January and February 2011, Manuel
Hechinger went for a research trip to the Ben
Gurion University in Be’er Sheva, Israel. The intense,
direct technical exchange with the professors
Mordechai Shacham and Neima Brauner
(Tel Aviv University) in the field of quantitative
structure-property relations for thermophysical
property prediction resulted in a successful
continuation and intensification of the research
approaches and opened up novel pathways for
Fig.14: PT excursion 2011
a common improvement on the modeling techniques.
Excursion
This year’s excursion took place in Kronenburg,
a beautiful place in the middle of the Eifel.
First of all the staff members went on a guided
tour through the city. After an adventure some
walking-tour a lime kiln was visited. During having
a barbecue with a wonderful view on the lake
of Kronenburg, the staff members could build
up their strength to be prepared for the afternoon
agenda. They had to cope with three stations:
(i) an Indiaca tournament (ii) a miniature golf
tournament and (iii) a paddleboat-competition in
the tug-of-war-discipline. With a strengthened risible
muscle, the chair was ready for a restorative
weekend.
19 Process Systems Engineering The AVT Newsletter

Extraction
The research of the extraction group focuses on
the extension of the drop population balance tool
ReDrop. On the basis of lab-scale experiments
with ReDrop, the operating limits and the separation
performance of pilot-plant extraction columns
can be predicted. ReDrop follows a representative
number of drops during their entire
lifetime inside the column. Using Monte-Carlo
methods, phenomena taking place in an extraction
column such as drop sedimentation, breakage,
coalescence and mass transfer are modeled.
Impurities in the liquid-liquid system that
may strongly influence the drop behavior are taken
into account by model parameters that are
fitted to the results obtained from single-drop experiments
with the original liquid-liquid system.
Recent research has focused on the extension
of ReDrop for high viscosity systems. This
research has involved single-drop sedimentation
and mass-transfer experiments with the system
PEG4000 in water (c) + toluene + acetone
(c→d). Then hydrodynamics and separation
performance calculated with ReDrop were
successfully validated with data from pilot-plant
experiments which were performed with a pulsed
sieve-tray extraction column. Further research
focused on the industrial application of Re-
Drop, which was done in cooperation with BASF
SE. On the basis of single-drop experiments with
industrial systems, the separation performance
and operating limits of columns were compared
to pilot-plant experiments. It was shown that Re-
Drop may also be applied to industrial systems
and that, in particular, the operating limits of column
are predicted with high accuracy.
For the reliable application of drop population
balance tools such as ReDrop for extraction columns
with rotating internals, a precise description
of drop residence time in the column is necessary.
Therefore, as part of a project funded by
the German research foundation (DFG), the residence
time of individual drops in the column was
investigated in two single-drop cells with Kühnicompartments.
(see Fig.15).
Thermal Process Engineering
Fig.15: Kühni compartments.
The effect of compartment geometry and operating
conditions such as the counter-current flowrate
and rotor speed on drop residence time have
been investigated systematically. Using experimental
findings, a model is being developed that
is able to describe the residence time of drops in
columns with rotating internals as a function of
the parameters being investigated.
Tailor-Made-Fuel from Biomass
The cluster of excellence “Tailor-Made Fuels
from Biomass” adopts an interdisciplinary approach,
through the application of optimized synthesis
processes of new, biomass-based fuels.
The challenges here are the improvement of the
predictability of the separation of liquid-liquid systems
under the influence of the presence of
bio-based solids and high viscosity of systems.
Such bio-based solids come from the feed biomaterial
as well as from microorganisms from
the fermentation processes and ionic liquids are
used as novel solvents for the dissolution of
biomass in TMFB processes. Thus, to derive a
fundamental understanding of the high viscosity
and the solids on drop sedimentation, mass
transfer and coalescence, which are the essential
steps in liquid-liquid separation. In order to
make a progress in the modelling of the coalescence
an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) is
used at AVT.TVT, which allows to measure interactions
between two droplets. The attractive
van-der Waals-and repulsive electrostatic forces
between IL-drops ([EMIM][EtSO4]) haven been
The AVT Newsletter Thermal Process Engineering 20

measured in air as function of their distance. The
force-distance-curve can be described by means
of the DLVO theory. Figure Fig.16 shows the model
fitting with the experimental data.
Fig.16: Force-distance curve.
MEXA
The model-based experimental design (MEXA)
is used for model discrimination and for calculating
model parameters. Thereby the experimental
effort shall be minimized by optimizing experimental
design. At Thermal Process Engineering
MEXA is mainly used in plant-material extraction.
Plant-material extraction is a subfield of
solid-liquid extraction, dealing with the extraction
of components from plants. Due to the complex
structure of herbal raw materials different pretreatment
and disintegration methods are applicable.
In addition several solvents and extractor
types can be used. Here, MEXA can be used beneficial,
to optimize process conditions.
Molecular Thermodynamics
The driving force for thermal unit operation is
usually the departure from thermodynamic equilibrium.
One method for the prediction of equilibrium
and thermo physical properties of fluids is
the application of so called equations of state. In
Fig.17 the experimental vapor pressure of methane
is compared with the values, which are
predicted by means of different equations of
state from the program, which was developed
by Meinke and Pfennig. The development of a
new equation of state is a part of the research
of molecular thermodynamic group at AVT-TVT.
The new equation of state is based on the lattice
picture for fluids. An important advantage of this
approach is that it results in a predictive equation
of state. Furthermore the interaction energy
between the species is determined with the energy
model, which was developed and applied for
real non ideal mixtures within the framework of
the excess Gibbs free energy model “MOQUAC”.
Therefore the equation of state will be able to
model more accurately the thermodynamic behavior
of mixtures which consist of highly polar
components with several functional groups. These
components will become increasingly significant
in the future due to the foreseeable raw material
change in the chemical industry.
Fig.17: Comparison between calculated and
predicted vapor pressure of methane.
A further focus of interest in the group of molecular
thermodynamics is the research of diffusion
phenomena. Diffusion effects play a crucial role,
in cases where thermal separation processes
are not described by means of classical equilibrium
models. The current research focuses on
cross diffusion effects. Such effects are expected
in non-ideal mixtures and describe the influence
of the concentration gradient of a component
i on the diffusion process of another component
j. The current investigations are concentrated
on the study of mixtures of aliphatic hydrocarbons
and are aided with the use of semiempirical
models and molecular dynamical simulations.
The molecular dynamical simulations are
performed with a simulation tool adapted in the
department, which will have its predictive performance
evaluated by means of the results of this
investigation. Forthcoming studies will focus on
mixtures, where the cross diffusion effects arise
from the difference on the molecular geometry of
the components.
21 Thermal Process Engineering The AVT Newsletter

This year, AVT offered again a lot of interesting
events as an opportunity for current as well as
future students to get insight into chemical engineering.
Development of the number of new enrolments
In the winter semester 2010/2011 the number of
new enroller for the faculty of mechanical engineering
dropped to 1620 students, 100 students
less compared to the winter semester
2009/2010. From these students 1050 enrolled
for mechanical engineering and 67 enrolled for
Computational Engineering Science. The number
of new enroller for industrial engineering,
about 300 students, stayed constant. For the
next years a sharp increase of first-year students
is predicted. On the on hand in 2011 the
compulsory military service was interrupted. On
the other hand the school years on secondary
school were reduced to 12 years which means
that there will be double the amount of graduates.
Additionally since the winter semester
2011/2012 a master degree program for chemical
engineering is offered. (Jan Bernd Bol)
Excursions
This year the excursion week of the AVT.MVT
happened to be a three-day trip to Rüdersdorf
close to Berlin. Overall, 33 process-engineeringstudents
were welcomed by Bauverlag (Zement-
Kalk-Gips – “cement-lime-hard plaster”) in the
cement plant ruled by the construction company
Cemex. Aside from a row of speeches concerning
the company’s way of achieving cement and
the career offerings in this branch of industry, the
framing program brought up a pleasing atmosphere.
Meaning, the group did not only get a tour
through the cement plant itself, but also had a
barbeque night as well as a night-trip to Berlin.
Last but not least to mention, the long journey to
Berlin was distinctly shortened for everybody by
a stop at the historical ore plant Rammelsberg
in Goslar, World Heritage Site. The ZKG excursion
in 2012 will be to HeidelbergCement AG in
Education
Leimen.
In the “Exkursion week” AVT.CVT organised an
exkursion to KRONOS TITAN GmbH in Leverkusen.
The participants of this exkursion were students
who attended the lecture “Chemical Process
Engineering I”. After two introductory lectures,
the participants of the exkursion had the
possibility to track the poduction steps from black
Titanium ore to the drying of the white pigment.
In the framework of the lecture “Wasser- und Abwassertechnologie”
AVT.CVT organised two excursions.
Destination of the first was Currenta in
Leverkusen, where a modern wastewater plant
cleans the wastewater of the Chempark in Leverkusen.
The second exkursion went to Roetgen
in the Eifel. In this plant potable water for the
Aachen region is produced by ultrafiltration.
AVT.TVT offered two excursions for students of
environmental engineering. There was one to
the industrial wastewater treatment plant IAZI at
Chemelot industrial park in Geleen and another
one to RWE’s brown-coal power plant in Niederaußem.
(Nicolas Nauels, Jan Bernd Bol, Kerstin
Lorenz)
Introduction to advanced studies
Each year, the faculty of mechanical engineering
offers a series of events to inform students about
the areas of specialization within the advanced
studies. These events are addressed to bachelor
and master students. Therefore, AVT promoted
itself on Mai 16th. At first, Jochen Büchs introduced
the audience to the area of studies and
possible fields of jobs of chemical engineering.
The AVT Newsletter Education 22

Information about the everyday life as a process
engineer followed. After the presentation part of
the event a poster-session took place in the foyer
of Audimax. Here, the students had the chance
to talk about research topics at AVT as well as
details about the studies with professors and assistants
of the chairs in a comfortable atmosphere
with pretzels and beer. (David Kauven)
Trial studies and Days of consulting
In Febuary, as in every year, the AVT did it’s
part to interest girls for engineering. During the
so-called “Schnupperstudium” 20 girls from different
parts of North-Rhine-Westphalia had the
chance to get an insight into process engineering
at the AVT labs. As an example for a production
process, the route from sugar beet to sugar
was reproduced in lab scale. Instead of the selfproduced
crystals, large amounts of sugar were
consumed in form of biscuits. (Matthias Hausmann)
AVT Colloquium
For several years now, the AVT and the VDI work
group Process Engineering have been hosting
the AVT Colloquium. The colloquium is series of
talks with speakers from research and industry.
This year, the colloquium has been integrated into
the academic program in form of the course
“Verfahrenstechnisches Seminar”. In this course,
the students obtain an insight into relevant
and contemporary topics on the subjects of process
engineering presented in the AVT Colloquium.
In an accompanying seminar they will pursue
some ideas of the colloquium subjects and
present their own findings in a series of presentations
and discussions. In order to give the students
the necessary tools for this task, they have
the possibility to attend a softskill course on presenting
as a part of the course. (Serafin Stiefel)
Summer School Brazil
The Summer School held at the Bahia Federal
University (UFBA) in Salvador-Bahia (Brazil) between
17th July and 5th August 2011 was an initiative
of the RWTH-Aachen in cooperation with
TU Berlin and TU Dortmund, organized and hosted
by the Industrial Engineering Postgraduate
Program in Salvador-Bahia and sponsored by
the DAAD. Process Systems Engineering was
the main theme of the Summer School, which
featured a mixture of lectures and seminars, held
by leading experts:
1. Process Dynamics and Operation of Chemical
Plants (Prof. Dr.-Ing. G. Wozny, TU
Berlin)
2. Optimization Strategies for DAE Systems
(Dr. -Ing. H. Arellano-Garcia, TU Berlin)
3. Extraction on Different Scales: From Molecules
to Columns (Prof. Dr.-Ing. A. Pfenning,
RWTH Aachen)
4. Feedback Control for Optimal Process Operation
(Prof. Dr.-Ing. S. Engel, TU Dortmund)
5. Membrane Process from Fundamentals to
Process Design (Prof. Dr.-Ing. A. Drews,
HTW Berlin)
6. MEXA – Model based Experimental Analysis
(Prof. Dr.-Ing. W. Marquardt, RWTH Aachen)
Social events and activities were also offered
during this period for further integration. Study
tours to the Camaçari Industrial Complex included
technical visits to the German Company
Continental and to the Brazilian companies
Petrobras and Braskem. Students from all over
the country came to Salvador to take part in the
Summer School, socializing and networking in
a true university environment. Live transmission
allowed a greater number of people from different
states in Brazil to attend the lectures and
seminars. The success of the Summer School
was celebrated with a closing party and wishes
to repeat it in two years in Salvador. (Karen Pontes)
23 Education The AVT Newsletter

Pupils’ University 2011
During the summer holidays, the event “pupils’
university”, which offers an insight into the
studies of the MINT-courses (maths, computer
science, natural sciences, technics) for pupils,
took place for the third time. In the area of process
engineering - one of 11 possible courses of
choice - the typical tasks of a process engineer
were demonstrated by Prof. Melin. After that,
four AVT-chairs had the opportunity to bring their
special characteristics closer. This was done in
form of lectures, exercises and experiments.
First of all, the importance of Biotechnology in
our everyday life has been brought closer in a
lecture by AVT.BioVT. The fact how many products
are produced using microorganisms and
enzymes was surprising. So, the pupils conducted
an experiment on protein production with the
help of microorganisms. They learned in this experiment
the influence of given process parameters
on the quantity of the product.
On Tuesday and Wednesday the AVT.CVT concentrated
on the purification of drinking water. After
an introductorily lecture and a short tutorial
the pupils had to treat water from a pond and
check the quality. While AVT.TVT focussed on
the distillation, AVT.PT demonstrated on Friday
how simulation tools work for chemical plants. In
the exercise, the pupils had the chance to use a
professional simulation program to design a part
of a chemical plant.
In conclusion, the feedback of the pupils was very
positive and certainly some of them will study
process engineering in near future. (Stefanie Postel)
Keio Summer School
The Keio Summer School for students of our
partner university in Tokyo, took place for the 4th
time in Aachen in August. The 20 participants
were introduced to the Aachen Process Engineering
(AVT) and to the German culture during
an extensive program. The program included
several German language lessons, a trip to
the neighboring countries and leisure activities
with all participants.
Some unit operations of process engineering
were demonstrated by two experiments at the
departments of Biochemical (BioVT) and Chemical
Process Engineering (CVT). An overview
about the working field of a process engineer
was given at CVT. Afterwards the students prepared
sugar out of sugar beets in the labs. Conversations
with the participants about the expectations
for their future work as process engineers
took place during the lab session. (Kurt Kugler)
Information-day for studies
The RWTH Aachen University tries to inspire
young students early for an academic study.
Therefore, an information day is organized for
students from 9th to 11th class where the students
can gather information about several studies.
This year it took place on July 2nd 2011.
AVT used this opportunity to present chemical
engineering at its best. On the one hand there
was the possibility to gather information in presentations
about chemical engineering. On the
other hand there was an AVT booth with different
exhibits which introduced the variety of research
fields. A Lego-model showed the principles of a
bio-refinery, a distillation column the separation
The AVT Newsletter Education 24

of fruit tea and in a sniffing reactor the students
could scent different products from biotechnological
productions. But of special interest for the
young visitors were the rheological properties of
a water-starch mixture which gets more viscous
with higher energy input. (Philipp Frenzel)
ChemCar 2011
As part of this year’s ProcessNet Annual Meeting
in Berlin in September the 6th Chemcar competition
took place. In this competition students of relevant
disciplines compete against each other in
teams from all over the world. They build a vehicle
with innovative chemical propulsion concept.
This vehicle has to reach the finish line as close
as possible with a by the jury defined additional
weight. Mechanical breaks as well as electronic
timer which stop the vehicle automatically are not
allowed. This year AVT’s had the name “HNP-
Car”. It was developed, designed and tested by
seven committed students. The “HNP-Car” is based
on an electric drive, which is loaded by a hydrogen
fuel cell. The hydrogen for the use in the
fuel cell is provided by reaction between sodium
and water.
In the competition the “HNP-Car” reached the
7th place from 12 teams. The jury praised the
ambitious concept and rewarded it with the second
place in poster presentation. (Philipp Frenzel,
Florian Buchbender)
BioVT Sake AG at “2nd International Brewing
Contest” in Berlin
This year, BioVT AG participated in the International
Brewing Contest with sake again. Follow-
ing a detailed selection process by tasting various
types of brews, Prof. Büchs chose the best
candidate for the competition. The brew chosen
had an ethanol content of 12% vol and a yellowish
hue which is typical for sake. By tasting
the brew, there was an aroma reminiscent of sake.
Five members from the sake team brought
the sake to Berlin to compete with 17 beers from
Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. This
year, the contest took place at the DECHEMA
Annual Meeting during the Chem Car competition.
This year, the team won the title for the
highest alcohol content that it received also last
year. The prize for the best beer was awarded
to a group from the University of Flensburg with
a very interesting beer that was brewed with desalinated
water from the Baltic Sea. (Jens Begemann)
Aachen Solarcup
For the second Aachen Solarcup sponsored by
the STAWAG, six teams of students competed by
solar-enforced Bobby-Cars. Of course, the AVT
Aachen drew along and supported the team of
the Heinrich-Heine-Gesamtschule through two
assistants helping to build the Bobby-Car. Unfortunately,
team “Solarraser” – meaning “solarscorcher”
- took the word “process” in process
engineering a little too literal and proceeded into
a pile of straw, serving as a barrier in the course.
So even though the team came up with the
second best lap time, there was no hope for a
top-positioning. (Nicolas Nauels)
PT-Talent Pool
Assured by the positive feedback last year, the
PT-Talent Pool 2011 took place on October, 28th.
More than 40 students from different fields of
specialization used this opportunity to get informed
about the research fields at the Chair of Process
Systems Engineering and to discuss their
questions with the scientific staff and Prof. Marquardt.
Due to the productive discussions with
the students are looking forward to our next year
“PT-Talent Pool 2012” event. (Sebastian Recker)
25 Education The AVT Newsletter

Branntwein AG
With the “Branntwein AG” AVT.TVT offers the
students a special possibility to participate in a
practical approach to thermal process engineering.
A group of 25 students worked out the complete
process of producing spirits from the fruit
to the distillate. Last year the students decided
Similar to in the last years, AVT not only attended
several events to present its own research,
but it also provided platforms for the discussion
of current developments in own conferences and
workshops.
IWA
The Aachener Verfahrenstechnik together with
the Institute for Environmental Engineering (ISA)
was this year’s host of the 6th IWA Specialist
Conference on Membrane Technology for Water
& Wastewater Treatment. This large and international
event took place from 3rd to 7th of October.
584 participants from 46 countries attended the
conference with more than 150 oral presentations
and more than 140 poster presentations.
Fairs, Conferences, Workshops
to make a cherry wine and an additional quince
and pear wine. The quince and pear wine was
improved by distillation while the cherry wine was
consumed pure. During the semester an excursion
to the distillery Sendenhorst was arranged.
In the end the students came together for a tasting
and could take one bottle home. (Jan Bernd
Bol)
The AVT Newsletter Fairs, Conferences, Workshops 26

Highlighted topics were future potential of forward
osmosis, operational and energy aspects
of MBR as well as fouling research – a key
aspect in all membrane applications. A large variety
of high quality contributions were made in
the fields of drinking water, reuse, industrial water
treatment, micropollutants and desalination
as well as in the central topics modeling, materials
and innovative concepts. The scientific
programme was complemented by a large industrial
exhibition and technical visits to important
membrane applications in the region of Aachen.
(Claudia Niewersch, Jochen Herr, Katharina Tarnacki)
NGP 2 -Workshop 2011
More than 80 participants attended the one-day
workshop “NGP2: Verfahrenstechnik nachwachsender
Rohstoffe 2011”, which was organized
by AVT and took place at the Super C building
of RWTH Aachen on September 13th, 2011.
The seminar was supported by the “Kompetenznetzwerk
Verfahrstechnik Pro 3”, whose executive
director Eckhard Hetzel gave an introductory
speech to the audience. AVT’s research focus
“Next Generation Processes and Products
(NGP2)” aims at the development of novel, sustainable
processes and products based on biorenewable
resources. The broad range of research
activities at AVT was presented by professors
and co-workers in a series of talks. Four
guest speakers from Germany, The Netherlands
and Switzerland joined the invitation to Aachen.
Representatives of academia and industry shared
their thoughts in fruitful discussions at common
lunch and during several coffee breaks. The
successful event followed the “Pro3-Seminar” or-
ganized in 2009 and is expected to be repeated
on a regular basis. (Manuel Dahmen)
4th TMFB International Workshop
On May 25th and 26th the cluster of excellence
“Tailor-Made Fuels from Biomass” (TMFB) presented
recent research results on biofuels in the
areas of biology and chemistry as well as chemical
and combustion engineering at the 4th TMFB
International Workshop. This year the workshop
was combined with the “Technology Watch Day
on Future Biofuel” to give external scientist the
opportunity to present their approaches and to
get an insight in their work. Around 130 experts
from science and industry took part in this event
at Novotel Aachen. (Anna Voll)
TGGS
A professor on an elephant and process engineering
under palm trees. Two interesting process
engineering courses were held by Prof.
Melin (membrane technology) and Prof. Modigell
(air pollution control) in Bangkok. We supported
them by organizing the respective exercises.
Subsequent to the membrane technology
course, we visited the chemical plants of SCG
and Bayer Thai in Map Ta Phut. In addition to
the ambitious program of lectures and exercises,
we found time to explore Bangkok. In particular,
the floating markets as well as the temples of
Ayutthaya are impressive and we had a wonderful
time by taking an elephant ride and strolling
along the world’s largest market in Chatuchak.
(Marco Scholz, Paul Bandy)
27 Fairs, Conferences, Workshops The AVT Newsletter

CVT Winter School
In January 2011 the first CVT-Winterschool took
place, which was attended by about 30 employees
from AVT, DWI, 5 guests from the University
of Twente (NL) and two CVT students participated.
The venue was the “Soellerhaus” in the
“Kleinwalsertal” (Austria), a university guest house
. The “Soellerhaus” is located at an altitude of
1320 m – just one ski length away from the piste.
The journey started early on saturday in Aachen
to reach the local ski rental in time.
After everybody had the necessary skiing equipment,
the “Soellerhaus” was occupied and an
eventful week started. Each afternoon and evening
was reserved for scientific presentations
and discussions. The topics of the presentations
ranged from chemistry in a membrane reactor
via the investigation and synthesis of membranes
through to the simulation of membrane based
processes.
During the late evenings the in-house bar offered
beer and a good opportunity to come to
know each other better. To ensure the concentration
during the scientific discussions, the morning
was reserved for outdoor activities. The Valley
was explored during hiking tours and on skis
and snowboards. Skiing courses and Groups according
to individual skills were formed: One for
beginners, another for more experienced skiers
and another of reckless skiing wizards. On the
piste several spectacular videos were taken; the
best of was presented in the evenings by Matthias
Wessling. (John Linkhorst)
Mulm/ReDrop-Workshop
This year in September the Mulm-Workshop was
arranged the first time. It was offered in combination
with the established ReDrop-Workshop.
On two mornings the latest results from the Institute
of Thermal Process Engineering concerning
crud (Mulm) and simulation of extraction columns
were presented. These results were completed
during the afternoon by presentations of
representatives of different universities and industry.
Furthermore there was time for the 15 participants
for exchanging ideas during pauses and
the joint dinner. This contributed to the success
of this workshop. (Markus Schmidt)
Hydrodynamics Workshop at the ICOM – Let
it flow!
The (hydro-)dynamic Prof. Melin took the lead,
when he, Joao Andre, Christian Abels and
myself started to prepare the Hydrodynamics-
Workhop for the ICOM 2011 and with it declaimed
against pressure losses, concentration
boundry layer and other restrictions. Our ideas
flowed and therefore we had minor problems to
The AVT Newsletter Fairs, Conferences, Workshops 28

come up with new slides and exercises for the
course prior to the conference in Amsterdam. A
delighted Thomas Melin obviously enjoyed the
idea of sharing his broad knowledge and experience
in fluid mechanics with all his coworkers
and participants having in mind that he soon
would retire. Due to all that we got a very positive
feedback, though some attendees first needed
some help with the exercises. Mostly a short hint
and an encouraging sentence helped them: “Just
let your thoughts flow!” (Matthias Hausmann)
AVT annual staff meeting
On April 19th, all the members of AVT gathered
to present and discuss the new challenges facing
Aachener Verfahrenstechnik. After a brief
introduction by Prof. Pfennig, the focus of the
event was on the new research concept “Next
Generation Processes and Products” (NGP 2 ) including
the new building and the biorefinery.
Prof. Spieß and Prof. Ismail also presented their
new working groups and their future plans with
AVT. After the official part of the gathering, there
was a small reception in the SuperC with a nice
view over the city as well as drinks, snacks, and
interesting discussions. (Martin Kunze)
HD-MPC workshop at the 18th IFAC World
Congress
The European project HD-MPC (Hierarchical
and Distributed Model Predictive Control) has
been concluded with a workshop at the 18th
IFAC world congress. The focus of this pro-
ject has been in particular the developement
of control methods for decentralized control topologies
while explicitely considering the interactions
among the model predictive controllers,
which are therefore called distributed controllers.
In contrast to conventional decentralized controllers,
a direct or indirect communication between
the controllers is required. The aim of th research
conducted is to guarantee stable and also optimal
plant operation even for large-scale processes
while maintaining a modular control concept.
(Holger Scheu)
Products and Processes for a Sustainable
Bio-economy
AVT is involved with the mission and objectives
of the research association Bio-economy
Science Center (BioSC). The BioSC was founded
in autumn 2010 as a skills sharing network
for research on sustainable bio-economy between
RWTH Aachen University, the Universities
of Düsseldorf, and Bonn and the Research Center
Jülich. At BioSC, the fundamentals and applications
for sustainable bio-economy research
are explored: From the sustainable production
of crops for food and renewable raw materials
to their bio- and chemo- catalytic and biotechnological
conversion to bio-based products (e.g.
amino acids, enzymes, biopolymers, fine chemicals,
biofuels) of different value added products,
as well as process engineering principles
and processes for production. In addition, one
of the focuses of the BioSC is to make economic
and social considerations and to review the
processes and products. With close cooperation
between various fields of research, joint development
and the use of technology platforms
such has NGP 2 facilitates interdisciplinary graduate
education which is an essential component
of BioSC. Currently, BioSC has more than
50 partner institutions. The founding members
of BioSC from RWTH Aachen include AVT’s seven
institutes, and the institutes of the Mat.-Nat.-
Inf.-faculty. More information can be found at
�������������������. (Antje Spieß)
29 Fairs, Conferences, Workshops The AVT Newsletter

Besides common activities in the field of research
and teaching, several enjoyable events took
place in AVT during the year.
Lousberg run 2011
Numerous athletic and social highlights accompanied
this year’s AVT running team in the context
of the Lousberglauf: Firstly the AVT alltime
record of Rico Keidel was sharpened up to
18:34.5 min by Stefan Klewenhagen, who finished
ninth out of 1870 runners. In addition the
women’s hall of fame was more or less revolutionized,
since three AVT participants namely
Alexandra Westwood (22:36.6), Saskia Wessel
(24:52.0) and Frederike Carstensen (25:08.5)
vanquished the old female record from 2009. In
general our team was supported by the incredi-
Fig.30: Lousberg run team 2011
Indoor soccer tournament 2011
Every spring since 2006, RWTH Aachen University
holds an indoor soccer tournament where
all the institutes from the universities of Aachen
are invited. Futsal, a South American variant of
indoor soccer, is played where fun and friendship
are more important than winning. The teams
not qualify by athletic competition but by creati-
Social Activities
ble number of 116 finishers, which is twice as
much as the second largest team of IFAS with
55 finishers. Hereby we accounted for 6% of all
the Lousberg runners. The public interest in our
team is therefore the logical consequence of a
continuous growth over the last years. In 2011
this interest was indicated by a featured article
in the Lousberglauf program and a short portrait
on WDR televesion, where some of our runners
were interviewed and had the chance to advertise
AVT in general public. Once again the organizing
committee would like to thank all AVT
runners and our sponsor for their unique contribution
to the success of our team. Without the
generous financial support of BASF it would not
been possible to arrange uniform running shirts
for all team members. (Sebastian Koester)
vity which is required from participating teams.
Like the year before, the two teams “Alle Vors
Tor – Pöhl Truppe” and “BioVT Shakers” both
from AVT, successfully prevailed. Although the
BioVT Shakers did not win the prize for creativity
which they had won thrice before, they placed
9th which is their greatest athletic success
in their long tradition. At the same time, they got
their revenge on the Pöhl Truppe, who placed
The AVT Newsletter Social Activities 30

13th. However, rankings are not everything. The
most memorable things were the great moments
on the field, being together as a team, and the
colleagues, fans and friends in the stands enthusiastically
cheering them on.
In retrospect, this year’s indoor soccer tournament
was an unforgettable event. We would like
to thank the organizers, the sponsors, and
the many, hard-working volunteers from the indoor
soccer tournament for the success of this
wonderful, social event. We are hoping for and
looking forward to a rematch next year. (Tino
Schlepütz)
AVT basketball – Dirk Nowitzki. . .
. . . does not play with us, but he surely would,
if he would work at AVT. For four year hobby
basketball players from all AVT institutes gather
every Sunday afternoon to play together. We are
a scratch team of employees and students (all
< 2.05 m), who looks forward to welcome new
team members. Whenever we play the fun of
playing is to the fore; it is unimportant if you are
female or male, beginner or professional player,
just come and join us.
When: Every Sunday from 6pm to 8pm
Where: Gym Paßstraße (crossing Robensstraße,
close to Carolus-Thermen)
Contact: Marco Scholz
(Marco.Scholz@avt.rwth-aachen.de)
P3-Tournament
Keeping a good tradition, in 2011 a group of football
enthusiasts took part in the P3-tournament.
The team consisted of undergraduates and PhDstudents
from AVT.
Participants came from several departments of
P3, different companies some other RWTH institutes.
The Tournament lasted the whole Saturday;
every position was played out. All in all the
AVT team played a hearty game without injuries,
31 Social Activities The AVT Newsletter

encouraged by an exclusive fan club. Aiming for
the first place at the end a respectable third place
in the South-America-Championship was achieved.
This meant place 19 out of a total of 30. We
And that’s how it will continue in 2012: The following
events are planned for the upcoming year.
AMK 2012
On 7th and 8th November 2012 the “14th Aachener
Membran Kolloquium” (AMK) will take place
at the Eurogress in Aachen. This international
conference on industrial membrane applications
is organised by the Chair of Chemical Process
Engineering at RWTH Aachen University. About
300 experts from all over the world are expected
to participate.
As Hartmut Brüschke, formerly Sulzer Chemtech
and a true membrane pioneer puts it after the
12th AMK, “the AMK is still the best opportunity
to catch up on new developments and trends of
today´s booming membrane industry”.
The AMK tries to bring together people from a
broad range of backgrounds with the aim of interdisciplinary
knowledge exchange on membrane
innovations. The topics of the presentations will
be a well-balanced mixture discussing membranes
in water treatment, gas separation, solvent
recovery, process engineering, energy applications,
biotechnology and health. The development
of new membranes will be treated as well as operational
experiences and module design with an
emphasis of industrial relevance
Upcoming Events
know hope for an invitation for next year. However,
for a better placement we need an intense
training camp for the penalty shootout! (Christian
Abels, Matthias Kalkert)
The lecture program will be accompanied by
a sizeable industrial exhibition, a large number
of posters and time for valuable discussion.
(Fee Pitsch, Marco Scholz, Johannes Völler-
Blumenroth)
Membrane Processes – University Course
From May 30th till June 1st 2012 the university
course “Membrane Processes” takes place. The
course addresses engineers and scientists, who
are involved in sales, design, control or operation
of membrane processes or technology. HSK
gives an introduction to membrane business, offers
detailed insight into fundamentals of membrane
technology and will thus back-up practical
experiences with a theoretical background.
The course includes of a series of lectures based
on the book ”Membranverfahren“ by T. Melin,
a lab tour at AVT.CVT, an introduction into
the computer-based design of a reverse osmosis
plant and a social programme including a site
seeing tour and a course dinner.
All lectures are given in german. More information
can be found at ���������������
������������������. (Thomas Harlacher)
The AVT Newsletter Upcoming Events 32

ACHEMA
After participating in ACHEMA 2009, the six AVT
chairs will also participate in ACHEMA 2012 with
their own booth. In Frankfurt from June 18th to
22nd, the exhibition opens for companies and research
facilities working in the fields of chemical
engineering, environmental protection and biotechnology.
We will use this opportunity to present
AVT and its new research concept “Next
generation processes and products” (NGP 2 ) to
AVT newsletter is proud to present again an
Alumni from AVT this year. Mr. Dr.-Ing. Johannes
Koke had worked as Ph.D. student at Mechanical
Process Engineering.
Please, give us a short description of your
career after your studies.
Between 1995 and 2000, I have worked as a
scientific assistant at the institute of mechanical
chemical engineering. Concerning the special
research area of “Thixoforming”, I was employed
in the rheological field. After concluding my promotion,
I became a mechanical engineer concerned
with heat treatment technology at the Robert
Bosch GmbH; I specified on simulations, therein.
For eight years, I’ve been trusted with a growing
area of responsibility in means of research
and advanced engineering in Schwieberdingen,
Swabian. Last, I was area assistant for production
engineering. At the end of 2008, I internally
defected to Bosch Solarthermie GmbH, close to
Münster, and assumed responsibility for component
development of solar thermal systems.
How did you experience the transfer from institute
to “real” work?
It was not all too tough. Although, the new working
space had little to do with my promotion
topic, the versatile occupation and experience
from the time at the institute helped a lot. Still, the
transfer to a big company such as Bosch means
a great retreat in scope of action and responsi-
Alumni Report
the international experts. In cooperation with the
chairs and institutes from the Cluster of Excellence
“Tailor-made Fuels from Biomass” (TMFB),
working in the fields of biotechnology and chemistry,
AVT is presenting itself as a strong, interdisciplinary
partner for tomorrow’s challenges.
We want to invite you as well as your colleagues
and research partners to visit our stand B44 in
hall 9.2 (Research and Innovation). (Martin Kunze)
bility. It does take some time to get used to the
organizational processes, but indeed the friendly
atmosphere among the scientists was extraordinary.
What is your field of action like by now?
Right now, I lead a group of seven engineers and
two tracers at the Bosch Solarthermie GmbH.
Therefore, I am responsible for the development
of thermic solar collectors as well as for assembly
robotics, meaning the development and
implementation of innovations to the complete
product. These products are produced up to
100.000 pieces and sold worldwide.
Which experiences of your time as a scientific
assistant could you transfer to your working
life?
A great deal! First of all, the all-round knowledge
in engineering sciences, for instance by working
on interdisciplinary industrial or researchprojects
as well as freelancing on educational
stages at the institute. Also, the systematic and
methodized working on solutions. And last, but
not least, topic-oriented leadership of co-workers
by assisting various students with their research
projects and diploma thesis.
What did you miss?
I missed practical experience for operational areas
in a company, especially the production area.
When you think of you time at the IVT, what
33 Alumni Report The AVT Newsletter

would you consider especially positive vs.
especially negative?
Positive to me was the active participation in national
and international conferences, and of course
- the funny institute excursions and Christmas
parties. But seriously, guys, is the coffee still as
bad? ¨⌣.
Is there a story that you would like to tell us,
about the time at the institute?
Well, the “adventurous” travels on the East-West-
Express to Lodz: outstanding problems of interaction,
risky car drives with polish professors,
“Welcome-Money”, Pivo and Vodka. Taking a
look back, reveals that setting-up the contact to
Prof. Petera in Lodz (Aachen-Lodz DAAD partner
university, editor’s note) did not only enlighten
us in terms of professional relations
Are you still in touch with former colleagues?
With a few colleagues from the MVT, but admittedly,
we see each other less and less. Traditionally,
my Ph.D. supervisor and I meet at the
end of the year to exchange news from the whole
IVT/AVT.
We understand age makes one wiser. Finally,
do you have some wisdom to share with us,
students or assistants?
Unfortunately, wisdom passed, before I could get
hold of it. Anyways, I can only encourage you to
actively participate, no matter if educational or industrial
projects demand it or if it stretches your
time at the institute a bit. You will not want to miss
those experiences, neither in private or working
life.
Thank you a lot for the interview!
The interview was conducted by Nicolas Nauels.
The AVT Newsletter Alumni Report 34

Staff
New Ph.D. Alumni
AVT congratulates all new Ph.D. alumni
and is glad that they have achieved their goal!
Donni Adinata t.b.d.
Rob Bronneberg BASF SE
Clemens Fritzmann Bayer, Leverkusen
Yi Heng AIXCape e.V.
Schwan Hosseiny AVT.CVT
Maka Karalashvili MathWorks, Inc.
Christian Kazner University of Technology, Sidney
Karina Kopec AVT.CVT
Nicole Kopriwa t.b.d.
Sebastian Ruckes Bayer Technology Services
Rung-Kai Tan t.b.d.
Andreas Wiesner Bayer Technology Services
Liang Yu t.b.d.
Awards
Frederike Carstensen 1. prize at poster award at NAMS Las Vegas
Arndt Hartwich PSE Model-Based Innovation Prize Runners-up
Ahmed Ismail Polymers Area Vice-Chair 2012 für AIChE
Polymers Chair Elect 2013 für AIChE
Class Michalik Friedrich Wilhelm Prize
Fee Pitsch 3. prize at poster award at NAMS Las Vegas
Andreas Wiesner atp Award 2010 in th category university
Danan Wicaksono Poster Award, International Workshop on Mathematics
in Chemical Kinetics and Engineering, Heidelberg
Amaerican Chemical Society Travel Award
Completed Professional Educations
Stefan Arts Florian Schemmann Dominik Starmans
AVT congratulates all winners, graduates and new Ph.D. alumni!
35 Staff The AVT Newsletter

This year’s guests at AVT
It was our pleasure to welcome the following guests
following guests at AVT this year!
Hirako Asakawa Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
Aiko Hibino Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
Filip Logist Katholike Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
Luz Deisy Marin Palacio Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
Karen Pontes State University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Ramses Gamboa Suasnavart Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
Edwin Zondervan Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Netherlands
Stays abroad
This year, AVT again sent
some of its colleagues abroad!
Sylvia Diederichs Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
New colleagues
AVT welcomes its new colleagues
and is looking forward to a successful collaboration!
Daniel Abele Sebastian Bannwarth Andreas Bednarz
Jens Begemann Anton Bulat Pornprapa Chuttrakul
Manuel Dahmen Tim Femmer Víctor González Rodrigues
Jan-Hendrik Grosch Rolf Isele-Holder Kurt Kugler
Nan Li Daniel Francisco Maldonado Parra Kristina Meier
Lena Meißner Tim Overath Hans Pirnay
Christian Redepenning Simon Roth Roozbeh Sangi
Marcus Schmidt Markus Schmidt Serafin Stiefel
Michael Wiedau Elke Wilden Martin Wunderlich
Kerstin Würges
The AVT Newsletter Staff 36

The PR-team wishes all readers Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year!

RWTH Aachen University
Aachener Verfahrenstechnik
52056 Aachen
www.avt.rwth-aachen.de
© AVT 2011