Newsletter - Aachener Verfahrenstechnik - RWTH Aachen University

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