General theme:
Process intensification aims at the development of chemical process technology which allows chemical and metallurgical processing with high materials and energy efficiency. Process digitalisation aims at developing Industry 4.0 tools in order to improve process and data management. Electrification of the chemical and materials process industry is an important aspect in these fields.
The main focus is on the transition from batch to continuous flow systems and on the use of external energy forms (e.g. ultrasound, light, microwave, plasma) to additionally actuate chemical reactors and/or separators. The research stretches from fundamental studies (reaction activation, transfer of mass, heat and momentum) to equipment design and scalability. While in the frame of SIM² the developed technologies are used in particular for recycling or new materials synthesis from waste, they have a much wider applicability.
Process digitalisation is a new challenge in the process industry within the vision of Industry 4.0. It includes topics such as artificial intelligence, new immersion technologies (e.g. AR/VR) and data mining. For the development of this new topic for SIM² KU Leuven, contact will be made with KU Leuven experts in the field, amongst other colleagues that are active in the Leuven Center for Artificial Intelligence.
SIM² KU Leuven is the KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals, one of the flagship KU Leuven Institutes. SIM² mission is to develop, organise and implement problem-driven, science-deep research and future-oriented education, contributing to the environmentally friendly production and recycling of metals, minerals and engineered materials, supporting the transition to a climate-friendly, circular-economy.
KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals
