Background
This work specifically targets the optimization of production and combustion/gasification processes (e.g., using gassed stirred tanks or fluidized beds), process that requires precise control of the reactor environment, particularly regarding mass transfer and reactions. However, full 3D simulations are often too computationally expensive for real-time control. To address this, we are creating Digital Twins to bridge the gap between high-fidelity simulations and scale-up, as well as real-time control strategies, e.g., Model Predictive Control (MPC). The task of your master thesis is to generate reduced-order models by applying unsupervised machine learning algorithms (“clustering”) to CFD data. Your work will serve as the foundation for advanced control strategies or scale up, and is intended for implementation in industrial projects.
Tasks
Expected Results
We offer: cutting edge software tools, weekly supervision meetings, integration into research projects, as well as monetary compensation
Start: Anytime
Contact: Michael Mitterlindner, +43 316 873 30411, mitterlindnernoSpam@tugraz.at (Supervisor: Stefan Radl)
As part of the “SafeSustain” Project (lead by Virtual Vehicle GmbH), we research the thermal runaway of Li-Ion batteries to enhance e-mobility safety. Specifically, during failure of a cell, batteries emit a high-temperature gas-particle jet that poses a major propagation risk.
We currently simulate radiation phenomena in these jets using OpenFOAM and a custom raytracing tool (“RayFactor”). In this thesis, you will optimize this workflow and extend the physical models to account for complex particle behaviors like orientation and spatial accumulation.
Tasks (You will focus on one or more of the following topics)
We offer: cutting edge software tools, weekly supervision meetings, integration into a research project, as well as monetary compensation
Start: ANYTIME
The Institute of Process and Particle Engineering together with the spin-off company SimVantage successfully are developing simulation and AI tools for industrial-scale bioprocesses that are already used around the world.
We are proposing a master thesis to model the pH distribution inside a stirred tank (bio-) reactor. pH has significant impact on product quality, viable cell density and titer. The project includes the modelling of the buffer systems inside the fermentation broth or cell culture media. The fluid flow field and the distribution of substance inside the reactor is already available in the software. The task of your master thesis is to calculate the pH value based in the concentrations in every part of the reactor.
Your work will have major impact on the capabilities of current simulation tools and will be implemented in industrial projects.
Contact: Univ. Prof. Dr. Johannes Khinast, +43 316 873 30400, khinastnoSpam@tugraz.at
The Institute of Process and Particle Engineering, in collaboration with the spin-off SimVantage, is developing simulation and AI tools for the design and optimization of industrial bioprocessing units. Disk stack centrifuges are widely used in biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing for continuous solid–liquid separation, such as harvesting cells or clarifying fermentation broth. However, scaleup and scaledown pose massive problems.
This master thesis focuses on developing a computational model to simulate the separation performance of a disk stack centrifuge. The objective is to predict the spatial and temporal distribution of particles and the efficiency of separation under varying operational conditions. Flow fields and geometry representations are already available in the existing simulation software. Your task will be to integrate particle transport and sedimentation modeling into this framework.
You will be part of an internationally recognized research group and company!
The Institute of Process and Particle Engineering is a world leader in the development of pharmaceutical products and processes.
In this context, we are offering a paid master thesis where the student is employed at an external company.
The goal of the master thesis is to create the basis for product development, focusing on a novel drug delivery system where the medicine is contained in a flavored gel, either as solution, emulsion or suspension. Drug delivery occurs via breaking a seal of a snap-package and sucking out the flavored gel. Target patient populations includes:
Requirements
What we offer:
Start: Spring 2021
Contact: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Johannes Khinast, khinastnoSpam@tugraz.at
The Institute of Process and Particle Engineering is a world leader in the development of simulation tools for industrial-scale bioprocessing units, funded by the Spin-Off Fellowship Program of the FFG. For example, our current code can model processes in large-scale bioreactors, up to 200m3 . We are therefore offering a student job with the possibility to do a master thesis with the goal of creating a comparison algorithm for bioreactors. The objective is to find the influencing factors that determine the productivity difference between reactors. This should be done by comparing reactors of different scales and for reactors at the same scale but different geometry and should aid scale up or process transfer processes in the industry.
Start: Fall 2020
Contact Dr. Christian Witz 0316 873 30416 christian.witznoSpam@tugraz.at