Institute of Solids Process Engineering and Particle Technology

Dear visitors,

the Institute of Solids Process Engineering and Particle Technology (SPE) has been founded as one of the first institutes of the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) in 1980 by Prof.
Joachim Werther and since 2008 the institute is headed by me. The research focus of the institute is the fluidized bed technology and its industrial applications.

We investigate all unit operations as well as physical and chemical transport processes of solids, such as classification, drying, heating and cooling, sintering, combustion, gasification and pyrolysis of solid fuels as well as phenomena on surfaces, interfaces and inner structures of particles.

The major research area of the institute is formulation, processing and design of particles by coating, encapsulation, granulation and agglomeration, mainly by spray-fluidized beds but also by spray drying and freeze drying. In addition, research is ongoing in the field of food
processing, which is supported by our recently installed creative food lab with several smallscale production devices and analysis setups.

Experimental investigations with novel developed measurement methods (e.g. ECVT, MPT) are supported and compared by hierarchically structured theoretical approaches. The model development includes molecular modeling, particle based methods (e.g. DEM, population balances), continuous models (e.g. FEM, CFD) as well as flowsheet simulations of solids processes, whereas simulations consider individual particles, bulk solids and multiphase particle laden flows. Additionally, data-driven soft sensors, AI-powered forecasting, and machine learning tools are also utilized. In order to meet these challenges we have also collaborations with numerous national and international research groups, industrial partners, and federal institutions.

On this homepage we want to provide a brief overview of our infrastructure, teaching, university courses and research activities with devotion to highlights of the projects of our PhD students within six research areas. We have well-equipped laboratories for analysis of complex particle systems as well as modern technical laboratories for pilot plant research and workshops. Especially our fluidized bed facilities are unique for a university institute.

On behalf of all members of our institute I invite you to explore our research projects and get in touch with us if you are interested.

Sincerely yours,