Chemie Ingenieur Technik最新文献

Bereits in der letzten Ausgabe haben wir einige Wissenschaftler vorgestellt, die im Herbst von der Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh) für ihre herausragenden Leistungen ausgezeichnet wurden. Im Folgenden präsentieren wir weitere Preisträgerinnen und Preisträger, die im Herbst von der GDCh geehrt wurden.

Single-particle reactors in lab-scale are a promising technology to gain an in-depth understanding of the intricate reaction and transport processes that occur in catalyst particles under operando conditions. It is not described whether the effect of the bounding walls in such narrow flow channels influence the processes at the particle. Therefore, this work applies three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyze the drag coefficient C_D alongside the local and average particle Nusselt number Nu_p as characteristic local and integral quantities in the range of particle Reynolds numbers 10 ≤ Re_p ≤ 10³. An equation is derived to correct for the wall effects on C_D and Nu_p and assist the experimenter in the interpretation of measured results.

The integration of practical, laboratory-based training in STEM education is of paramount importance. However, traditional methods may prove inadequate in addressing the evolving demands of Industry 4.0. The CrossLab project represents a transformative approach, whereby a modular, interdisciplinary, and cross-institutional digital laboratory environment is created. This initiative enhances the flexibility, scalability, and collaborative potential of laboratory experiences, thereby equipping students with essential skills in digital literacy, data analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The CrossLab framework represents a novel approach that effectively integrates traditional and digital methods, thereby preparing students for the complexities of Industry 4.0.

Ammonia is a promising carbon-free energy vector. Small-scale renewable power-to-ammonia (P2A) is particularly suited for isolated agricultural areas where ammonia can be used as fuel and fertilizer. This work compares two approaches to simulate and optimize the steady-state behavior of a novel small-scale P2A process: Aspen Plus^® and MOSAIC^®. Aspen Plus^® is a commercial flow sheeting software whereas MOSAIC^® is a freeware where equations and thermochemical properties need to be specified by hand. It can be shown that the results of MOSAIC^® and Aspen Plus^® are qualitatively comparable, but not identical. This suggests that the model in MOSAIC^® can be improved further, starting with the implementation of a more accurate numeric reactor kinetics and equation of state.

Cross reality laboratories are widely used in education, yet research on the usability/user experience (UX) of these laboratories is still lacking. This study wants to start the discussion about challenges for usability/UX by interviewing practitioners from a large project for cross reality laboratories spanning multiple institutes in Germany. A total of 18 challenges were discovered, together with three target groups, namely, developers, maintainers, and learners. In addition, the tension between developers and usability is discussed. Open questions include the need to conduct further research with different target groups and how to increase usability for laboratory developers.

Engineering education at the Institute for Information Management in Engineering integrates product lifecycle management (PLM), computer-aided design (CAD), eXtended reality (XR), and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance learning and prepare students for modern challenges. Our interdisciplinary approach, emphasizing digital twins and virtual twins, fosters immersive, hands-on experiences. This paper reviews our strategies, comparing them with global initiatives, highlighting the transformative impact of our curriculum on preparing future engineers for complex industrial environments.

The rapid technological advances of Industry 4.0 require Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) education to adapt and meet the needs of an increasingly digital workforce. However, institutions face significant obstacles in updating their lab spaces due to the significant investment of time and resources required. This article presents innovative approaches that aim to reconcile these conflicting goals. Flexible laboratory configuration approaches are described that can be implemented in diverse learning scenarios to optimize the sustainable use of resources in an educational context. The results suggest that, with strategic planning, adaptable STEM laboratory configurations are beneficial for education in the context of Industry 4.0.

Conventional routes for the production of formaldehyde rely on the use of methanol and air, with the presence of catalysts such as silver or mixed-metal oxides. These processes are highly energy intensive and therefore raise concerns in terms of cost-effectiveness and environmental impact. In that respect, sodium or sodium compounds are more favorable as catalysts for the direct dehydrogenation of methanol to water-free formaldehyde. A method is presented for the coproduction of hydrogen and anhydrous formaldehyde – both valuable products – on the laboratory scale, with a particular focus on the design and testing of a sodium vapor catalyst dosing unit that enables the process to be performed continuously.

Laboratory courses are key to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs in higher education, but often lack the flexibility for distance learning and inclusiveness for all students. To address these challenges, TU Bergakademie Freiberg introduced remote laboratories not only for international degree programs and the “Disti4Study” application, which provides interactive visualization of industrial thermal separation processes. This paper focuses on the development and didactic challenges associated with the “Continuous Distillation Laboratory”. It illustrates how rethinking the technical and didactic frameworks of traditional laboratories can align with new learning objectives, such as those related to Industry 4.0, including the Internet of Things and data management.