Dr Kuhn's research interests relate to the interplay of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, with special focus on transport processes in complex chemical process systems, such as mixers, separation units, micro- and milli-reactors etc. The complexity in those systems can either come from the involved geometry (e.g. fluid-structure interaction), and/or by the involved transport processes (e.g. turbulent flows or multiphase flows). Obtaining such and understanding and control of the transport properties in these systems is the key element for the rational design of intensified processes in the chemical and biotechnological industries, e.g. the ACS GCI Pharmaceutical Roundtable has identified the demand for novel concepts for continuous reaction systems.
The aim of the research is to investigate interfacial transport processes and the scale-up of the involved transport coefficients in more detail. This is accomplished by identifying the physical mechanisms of heat and mass transfer on the micro- and milli-scale using non-invasive, laser-optical measurement techniques (PIV/LIF), and to use these experimental results to develop predictive multiphase flow models for computational fluid dynamics (CFD). These developed models will subsequently allow the design of optimized multiphase flow reactors across several orders of length scales. This step will also involve the application of novel manufacturing techniques, e.g. selective laser-sintering (SLS), to enable the production of these devices.
The obtained results will bridge the gap between the micro- and milli-scale, and will directly impact the efforts in process intensification and sustainable advanced manufacturing.