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TUHH > Forschung und Transfer > Forschungsorganisation > FSP Biobased Processes & Reactor Technologies

FSP Biobased Processes & Reactor Technologies

Spokesperson: Prof. Mirko Skiborowski, mirko.skiborowski(a)tuhh.de

Deputy Spokesperson: Prof. Michael Schlüter, michael.schlueter(a)tuhh.de

In order to meet the challenges of climate change and sustainable development, new technologies for material and energy conversion are needed, which are based on renewable raw materials and make it possible to close the loop as completely as possible. To this end, innovative processes must be developed for the production of our everyday products that are CO2 neutral or even CO2 sinks. This includes, among others, the production of fuels, the supply of fertilizers, basic and specialty chemicals, as well as plastics and pharmaceuticals. To realize this goal, new bio-based technologies are needed in the shortest possible time through leapfrog innovations that are at least competitive with the current petroleum-based processes. In addition to the development of new synthesis routes, the integration of chemo- and biocatalysis, and energy-efficient separation processes, the resource-efficient and climate-compatible processes required by this demand require, in particular, novel reactor concepts that enable flexible processing of geo-globally and seasonally fluctuating biological raw material qualities.

This can only be achieved with a deeper understanding of the process, based on high-resolution measurement and analysis techniques, as well as accurate models using the possibilities of digitalization. Novel materials and structures based on additive manufacturing and specific functionalization offer further possibilities for the optimal design and the most autonomous operation possible of tolerant reactors, as well as industrial biobased processes based on them, which enable the improved use of renewable raw materials for the extraction of bulk and fine chemicals or the storage and generation of energy. For example, reactor internals are 3D printed from temperature-sensitive materials that deform independently and selectively when the temperature changes to avoid local overheating and ensure high product qualities.

A unique selling point of the FSP BioProTec is the interdisciplinary collaboration of process engineering, biotechnology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science and mechanical engineering from basic research to application. This is emphasized in various projects at the TUHH with complementary scientific networking at the Hamburg location and worldwide. In the area of basic research, for example, research is being conducted within the framework of DFG SPPs on how chemical, biochemical and solid processes can be optimized through detailed process understanding and targeted adjustment of process conditions. The DFG-funded Colaborative Research Center "SMART Reactors for Future Process Engineering" is a flagship project in which most of the FSP members are actively collaborating.

The findings of basic research are transferred to example applications in third-party funded and industrial projects, whereby large and medium-sized industrial companies benefit from the innovative technologies (e.g. with novel high-pressure processes for a sustainable biorefinery, or energy-efficient high-performance reactors for the chemical industry). The successful transfer from basic research to commercial processes with industrial partners is also evidenced by the high number of bilateral industrial collaborations (e.g.: Aerogels with BASF, fatty acid esters with Evonik, active pharmaceutical ingredients with Boehringer Ingelheim, ...). Another unique selling point is the high number of spin-offs in recent years (Aerogel-It, Lignopure, Mushlabs, Reacnostics, Traceless, Colipi).

The combination of teaching and research is of particular importance for the FSP. The latest findings are incorporated in particular into the bachelor's degree programs in Chemical and Biological Engineering and Green Technologies, as well as into the master's degree programs in Process Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering and the international degree program Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering. Students can participate directly in current research projects as research assistants, as well as in project and final theses. In this way, the FSP directly promotes the transfer of knowledge into industrial practice and the training of important junior staff, thus making a further significant contribution to increasing sustainability.

Research Center News

Interdisciplinary Workshop of the FSP "Biobased Processes and Reactor Technologies

At the second workshop of the research cluster (FSP) "Biobased Processes and Reactor Technologies" at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), 86 researchers from 14 institutes gathered to share recent research findings and engage in professional exchange. The event was hosted at TuTech Innovation GmbH, located at Harburger Schlossstraße 6–12.

Yearbook 2025

article

Establishment of a DFG-Priority Program under Leadership of our Research Center Member Johannes Gescher

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is establishing new Priority Programs (SPP), which will start in 2025 and will initially be funded for three years with a total of around 72 million euros. The Research Center Biobased Processes and Reactor Technologies is also represented with the topic "Productive Biofilm Systems".

ARTICLE

Research Fields

Advanced Materials & (Bio-) Processes

Members

Name	Short-Info	Institutes
Prof. G. Antranikian	Info	Technische Biokatalyse
Prof. M. Ernst	Info	Wasserressourcen und Wasserversorgung
Prof. B. Fiedler	Info	Kunststoffe und Verbundwerkstoffe
Prof. J. Gescher	Info	Technische Mikrobiologie
Jun.-Prof. P. Gurikov	Info	Entwicklung und Modellierung neuartiger nanoporöser Materialien
Prof. S. Heinrich	Info	Feststoffverfahrenstechnik und Partikeltechnologie
Prof. A.-L. Heins	Info	Bioprozess- und Biosystemtechnik
Prof. R. Horn	Info	Chemische Reaktionstechnik
Prof. P. Huber	Info	Material- und Röntgenphysik
PD. Dr. Yan Jin	Info	Mehrphasenströmungen
PD Dr. M. Johannsen	Info	Mehrphasenströmungen
Prof. M. Kaltschmitt	Info	Umwelttechnik und Energiewirtschaft
PD Dr. I. Körner	Info	Abwasserwirtschaft und Gewässerschutz
Prof. K. Kuchta	Info	Circular Resource Engineering and Management
Prof. A. Liese	Info	Technische Biokatalyse
Dr. A. M. Romero	Info	Technische Biokatalyse
Dr. D. Ohde	Info	Technische Biokatalyse
Prof. A. Penn	Info	Bildgebende Prozesstechnik
Prof. R. Pörtner	Info	Bioprozess- und Biosystemtechnik
Prof. M. Schlüter	Info	Mehrphasenströmungen
Prof. M. Skiborowski	Info	Systemverfahrenstechnik
Prof. I. Smirnova	Info	Thermische Verfahrenstechnik
Prof. K. H. Trieu	Info	Mikrosystemtechnik
Dr-Ing. T. Waluga	Info	Systemverfahrenstechnik

Postdoc Round Table

Postdoc Round Table at TUHH – Interdisciplinary Exchange and Collaborative Research

The research clusters at TUHH actively promote interdisciplinarity and encourage thinking beyond traditional boundaries. This is not only achieved through large collaborative networks but also through smaller-scale exchanges that can provide valuable insights and support.

The Postdoc Round Table brings together postdocs on a regular basis to discuss relevant topics, present their research, and build professional networks. The goal is to foster collaboration and advance research—whether through the supervision of joint master’s theses, the development of co-authored publications, or the initiation of collaborative research projects.

If you are interested, feel free to reach out at thomas.waluga(at)tuhh(dot)de.

Current Projects (Highlights)

SFB SMART Reactors • CRC 1615: SMART Reactors for Future Process Engineering
EveryCarbon • Innovationswettbewerb: Neue Verfahren zur Rohstoffgewinnung aus Abfall- und Reststoffen
Online Monitoring and Digital Control in drinking water distribution systems • MoDiCon
Protein Pressure Specific Activity Impact • prot P.S.I.

Cooperations (Highlights) & Spin-Offs

Spin-Offs

3C Labs - Labor Workstation - 3D Zellkultur | Institut für Bioprozess- und Biosystemtechnik
aerogel-it GmbH | Institut für Thermische Verfahrenstechnik
BioMP GmbH | Institut für Thermische Verfahrenstechnik
Biotex GmbH | Institut für Technische Mikrobiologie
Colipi GmbH | Institut für Bioprozess- und Biosystemtechnik
LignoPure GmbH | Institut für Thermische Verfahrenstechnik
Infinite Roots | Institut für Technische Mikrobiologie
Reacnostics GmbH | Institut für chemische Reaktionstechnik
traceless materials GmbH | Institut für Umwelttechnik und Energiewirtschaft

Publications (Highlights)

Leon Hennecke,Lucas Schaare,Mirko Skiborowskiand Andreas Liese
Closed-loop identification of enzyme kinetics applying model-based design of experiments
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00127C

Viktor Berg, Michael Geske, Oliver Korup, Michael Schmidt, Frank Rosowski, Andrey Karpov, Michael Kraemer and Raimund Horn
Selective Oxidation of Ethylene to Ethylene Oxide on Silver Catalysts at Industrial Conditions: Reactor Profiles, Kinetics and Chlorine Inhibition
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.3c04345
Supporting Information on Selective Oxidation of Ethylene to Ethylene Oxide on Silver Catalysts at Industrial Conditions: Reactor Profiles, Kinetics and Chlorine Inhibition

Möller J., Kuchemüller KB. and Pörtner R.
Bioprocess intensification with model-assisted DoE-strategies for the production of biopharmaceuticals.
Physical Sciences Reviews.
https://doi.org/10.1515/psr-2022-0105

Thomas Waluga, Maximilian Klein and Mirko Skiborowski
On the Use of the Adsorption Energy Distribution for the Analysis of Competing Substrate Kinetics
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.2c03878
download PDF

Diego Astudillo Espinoza, Birte Wollak, Thomas Sheppard, Ann-Christin Dippel, Marina Sturm, Olof Gutowski, Michael Schmidt, Oliver Korup and Raimund Horn
Catalytic Profile Reactor for Multimodal Operando Measurements during Periodic Operation
https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202200337
download PDF

C. Spille, A. Lyberis, M. I.e Maiwald, D. Herzog, M. Hoffmann, C. Emmelmann, M. Schlüter
SMART-Reactors: Tailoring Gas Holdup Distribution by Additively Manufactured Lattice Structures
https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.202000211

X. Hua, J. Karnetzke, M. Fassbender, S. Drücker, S. Bettermann, B. Schroeter, W. Pauer, H.-U. Moritz, B. Fiedler, G. Luinstra, I. Smirnova
Smart reactors – Combining stimuli-responsive hydrogels and 3D printing
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.123413

Books:

Pörtner R (ed) (2024) Cell Engineering 11:
Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing -Progress, Trends and Challenges.
Springer Nature.
https://link.springer.com/book/9783031456688

Mirko Skiborowski und Andrzej Górak (2022):
Process Intensification by Reactive and Membrane-assisted Separations
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110720464

Mirko Skiborowski und Andrzej Górak (2022):
Process Intensification by Rotating Packed Beds
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110724998