Beginnings in Kaiserslautern

The Dual University Trier‑Kaiserslautern was founded on July 13, 1970. 

The Kaiserslautern branch began with three departments: Mathematics, Physics, and Technology, primarily focused on teacher training.

The Department of Technology included four disciplines: Architecture and Spatial & Environmental Planning, Educational Sciences, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

Mechanical Engineering was established with five core professorships: Fluid Mechanics/Thermodynamics, Power Machines, Working Machines, Thermal Process Engineering, and Mechanical Process Engineering.

Start of the Institute

In March 1971, Dr. Ekkehard Weber was appointed Professor of Particle Process Engineering. The institute’s early research focused on dust separation, particularly wet separation, cyclone separation, and dust separation by condensation.

Early Growth of the Institute

The chair grew rapidly due to successful third-party funding activities and at this time consisted of six research assistants, some of whom are named: Jürgen Atzger, Klaus Giese, Peter Leisen, Manfred Schütz, the secretary, Ms. Schmeer, and the laboratory engineer, Mr. Paul Suppe.
On October 1, 1972, Mr. Dau moved to the dean's office of the Department of Technology as department secretariat (later called department manager).
During this time, the entire department was housed in Building 14 of the Aufbau- und Verfügungs-Zentrum (AVZ, Buildings 11-14 and 21-24). The Mechanical Engineering laboratories were located in the basement of Building 14.

Reorganization and New Appointment

In 1975, the Dual University Trier‑Kaiserslautern was divided into two independent universities. At the same time, the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering was split into two separate departments.

On July 1, 1975, Prof. Kremer (Thermal Process Engineering) moved to Ruhr University Bochum, leaving the field of process engineering without leadership. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Büttner and Mr. Dau, the discipline was kept alive.

The vacant professorship in Particle Process Engineering was soon refilled. On November 25, 1975, Prof. F. Ebert took over the institute. Having completed his habilitation under Prof. Molerus in Erlangen, he brought with him all the expertise needed to establish a modern Institute in Kaiserslautern, enabling proper teaching and research to resume.

First Doctorates and New Building

The first doctoral theses at the Institute were completed in 1977: Mr. Dau on June 27 and Mr. Büttner on November 24.

In October, Building 44 — part of the so‑called MPM complex (Mathematics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering) — was completed and became the new home of the Institute.

New Laboratories

In December, the process engineering laboratories were moved into the newly constructed experimental halls of Building 64.

Bulk Solids Technology and Industry Collaboration

Around 1982, bulk solids technology became an active research field at the institute. First results were presented in 1983 at the VDI Committee on Agglomeration and Bulk Solids Technology.

This marked the beginning of a long‑term collaboration with the company Freudenberg‑Lutravil, which also financed the large shaft dryer in the experimental hall.

Dean’s Office

After the early death of Prof. E. Bender, Prof. F. Ebert assumed the office of Dean. Following his re‑election in early 1989, he held the position until early 1991.

Venia legendi and Adjunct Professorship

Dr. Bernd Sachweh, who had previously completed his doctorate under Prof. Ebert, received the Venia legendi (authorization to teach) in Particle Technology. Later, during his work at BASF as Vice President for Fine Particle Technology & Particle Characterisation, he was appointed as an adjunct professor at the chair.

Retirement and New Appointment

On March 31, 2004, Prof. F. Ebert retired. 

Prof. Ripperger, most recently at TU Dresden, received the appointment and assumed the professorship on April 1, 2004. The research field of the institute was particularly expanded to include filtration.

Dean’s Office

From early 2008 to early 2011, Prof. Siegfried Ripperger served as Dean of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Process Engineering.

New Chair Appointment

Due to the institute’s involvement in a DFG Collaborative Research Centre, the position for Prof. Ripperger’s successor was advertised ahead of schedule.

On August 1, 2014, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sergiy Antonyuk assumed the professorship. The institute’s research areas include bulk solids mechanics, filtration, particle measurement technology, porous media, sorting and separation processes. These were expanded to new fields such as micromechanics and fracture dynamics of particles and agglomerates, particle formulation, fluidized bed technology, extrusion as well as modeling and simulation of multiphase processes.

Academic council

Dr.-Ing. Kai Nikolaus holds the position of Academic Senior Council at the institute.

Venia legendi in Particle Technology

Dr. Rainer Friemelt received the Venia legendi (authorization to teach) in Particle Technology.

Change in the Institute Secretariat

The long‑standing institute secretary Ms. Cornelia Lenhart retired. The head of the institute secretariat was taken over by Ms. Christiane Maurer.

Approval of Research Training Group WERA

The German Research Foundation (DFG) approved the  Research Training Group 2908 WERA “Phosphorus Recovery from Wastewater”. Prof. Sergiy Antonyuk as spokesperson coordinates the RTG.

Chair of EFCE Working Party

Prof. Sergiy Antonyuk was elected Chair of the Working Party on the Mechanics of Particulate Solids  of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE).