Research

The chair deals with the experimental and numerical investigation of the transport of molecules, ionic species or particles at interfaces (liquid-gas, liquid-solid, liquid-liquid interfaces). Such processes are fundamental in many processes and not infrequently the rate-limiting step. With our work, we want to contribute to an improved basic understanding of these processes in multi-phase systems as well as to improve the efficiency of process engineering processes.

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Einblick in unsere Forschungsgebiete

Research fields

Our field of research lies at the interface of fluid mechanics and process engineering on small-scale flows at interfaces in single-phase and multi-phase systems. The aim is to understand the underlying mechanisms and to improve the efficiency of mass transfer or separation rates by using external field gradients.

Research projects

Our employees work primarily on basic projects dedicated to the clarification of small-scale flows at interfaces as a result of mass and heat transfer. For this purpose, unusual conditions such as the variable gravity levels of parabolic flights are used.

Publications

Results of our work in peer-reviewed journals can be found at → Read more.

e.g. interferometry

For the determination of concentration or temperature distributions in fluids at interfaces, we use various interferometric methods, such as Mach-Zehnder or differential interferometry. In these methods, a regular pattern of interference fringes of an adjustable wavenumber is generated which is deformed in a characteristic way by optical inhomogeneities, e.g. due to inhomogeneous concentration distribution. From these deformations, the concentration field is reconstructed using wavelet or Fourier transform based algorithms.