Lehrstuhl für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik (MVT)

Liquid-Solid Separation

A research focus of the Institute of Particle Process Engineering of the University of Kaiserslautern is the development of methods for particle separation from liquids. The experimental and simulative experience in separation technology has been gathered for more than 10 years. It was conducted under the direction of Prof. Ripperger and will continue under his successor, Prof. Antonyuk.
The complementation of experiments with the modeling and simulation of multiphase flows is executed by numerical fluid mechanics (CFD) and CFD coupling with the discrete element method (DEM). With these methods, fundamental processes of the filtration can be investigated. Using CT-scans of the woven or nonwoven structure for the simulation can show the microflow and particle movement within the filter material.
The research of separation processes is supplemented by the classification of finest particles using dynamic filtration processes. As part of the priority programme SPP 2045: Highly specific and multidimensional fractionation of fine particle systems with technical relevance (MehrDimPart) of the DFG, the project Multidimensional fractionation of finely dispersed particles using cross-flow filtration with superimposed electric field is investigated at the Institute of Particle Process Engineering.

Research Areas

Research Projects

Completed Research Projects

Recent Publications

Puderbach V., Kirsch R., Antonyuk S.: Experimental Characterization of the Mechanical Properties of Filter Media in Solid–Liquid Filtration Processes. Materials (2024) 17(18):4578. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17184578

Benz, N., Krull, F., Nikolaus, K., Antonyuk, S.: Membrane-fabric composite filter media for continuous cake filtration without gas throughput using paste dot coating with adhesive, Membranes 13 (9) (2023) 801, https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13090801

Hesse, R., Lösch, P., Antonyuk, S.: CFD-DEM analysis of internal packing structure and pressure characteristics in compressible filter cakes using a novel elastic-plastic contact model, Advanced Powder Technology 34 (2023) 104062, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2023.104062

Weirich, M., Antonyuk, S.: Monitoring of particulate fouling potential of feed water with spectroscopic measurements, Membranes (2023) 13(7):664, https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13070664

Kleffner, Ch., Braun, G., Ripperger, S., Antonyuk, S.: Methods for using direct numerical simulation for the investigation and optimization of the flow in spacerfilled channels of membrane elements, F&S Filtrieren und Separieren 03 (2023)

Benz, N., Lösch, P., Antonyuk, S.: Influence of the Measurement Resolution on the Filtration Analysis: An Improved Test Setup According to VDI 2762 Guideline. Processes 2023, 11, 299. doi.org/10.3390/pr11020299

Lösch, P.: Methoden zur diskontinuierlichen und kontinuierlichen hydrodynamischen Klassierung feinster Partikeln in einer Querströmung. Dissertation, Schriftenreihe des Lehrstuhls für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik der TU Kaiserslautern, (2021) Band 25, ISBN 978-3-95974-169-9

Kleffner, C., Braun, G., Antonyuk S.: High-pressure reverse osmosis for industrial water recycling: Permeate-sided pressure drop as performance-limiting factor, Chemie Ingenieur Technik (2021), https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.202100021

Puderbach, V.; Schmidt, K.; Antonyuk, S.: A Coupled CFD-DEM Model for Resolved Simulation of Filter Cake Formation during Solid-Liquid Separation. In: Processes 9 (5), 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9050826.

P. Lösch, K. Nikolaus, S. Antonyuk, Fractionating of Finest Particles Using Cross-flow Separation with Superimposed Electric Field, Separation and Purification Technology (2021) 117820. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2020.117820

Deshpande, R., Antonyuk, S., Iliev, O.: DEM-CFD study of the filter cake formation process formed due to non-spherical particles, Particuology (2020), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2020.01.00

Hund, D., Lösch, P., Kerner, M., Ripperger, S, and S. Antonyuk: CFD-DEM study of bridging mechanisms at the static solid-liquid surface filtration, Powder Technology 361 (2020), 600-609 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2019.11.072

Deshpande, R.: Investigation of the Filter Cake Formation Process using DEM-CFD Simulation with Experimentally Calibrated Parameters. Stuttgart: Fraunhofer Verlag, 154 S., (2019), ISBN: 978-3-8396-1519-5

Barth, J,: Methode zur Auslegung von Apparaten und Maschinen zur dynamischen Oberflächenfiltration, Fortschritt-Berichte ; Band 22;  Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Lehrstuhl für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik (2019), ISBN: 978-3-95974-122-4

Steinle, J. P.: Entwicklung und Untersuchung getauchter Niederdruck-Spiralwickel-Elemente zur Ultrafiltration, Fortschritt-Berichte, Band 21, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Lehrstuhl für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik (2019), ISBN: 978-3-95974-119-4

Hund, D.: Methoden zur Simulation der Kuchenfiltration, Fortschritt-Berichte, Band 19, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, MVT, Lehrstuhl für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik (2019), ISBN: 978-3-95974-111-8

Lösch, P., Nikolaus, K., Antonyuk, S.: Classification of fine particles using the hydrodynamic forces in the boundary layer of a membrane, Chemie Ingenieur Technik 91 (2019) 11, 1656-1662. https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.201900052

Deshpande, R., Antonyuk, S., Iliev, O.: Study of the filter cake formed due to the sedimentation of mono and bi-dispersed particles using DEM-CFD simulations, AIChE Journal 65, (2019) 4, 1294-1303 https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.16529

Ripperger, S.; Schwarz, N.; Antonyuk, S.: Scaling und Fouling Observation bei Membrananlagen. Filtrieren und Separieren 33 (6) (2019), pp. 386–391

Kleffner, C., Braun, G., Antonyuk, S: Influence of membrane intrusion on permeate-sided pressure drop during high-pressure reverse osmosis, Chemie Ingeniuer Technik 91 (2019) 4, 1-13 https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.201800104

Deshpande, R.; Antonyuk, S.; Iliev, O. (2019): Study of the Filter Cake Formed due to the Sedimentation of Mono and Bi-dispersed Particles Using DEM-CFD Simulations. In AIChE J (accepted). https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.16529

Barth, J.; Koras, T.; Antonyuk, S.; Ripperger, S.: Metallrückgewinnung und Säureaufbereitung unter Nutzung von Membranverfahren. In Filtrieren und Separieren 32 (4) (2018), pp. 264–269

Barth, J.; Ripperger, S. (2018a): Methode zur Auslegung und Optimierung von dynamischen Oberflächenfiltern – Teil 1: Auslegung hinsichtlich des spezifischen Filtratstroms. In Filtrieren und Separieren 32 (1), pp. 12–17.

Barth, J.; Ripperger, S. (2018b): Methode zur Auslegung und Optimierung von dynamischen Oberflächenfiltern – Teil 2: Optimierung hinsichtlich des spezifischen Energiebedarfs. In Filtrieren und Separieren 32 (3), pp. 185–189.

Hund, D.; Schmidt, K.; Ripperger, S.; Antonyuk, S. (2018): Direct numerical simulation of cake formation during filtration with woven fabrics. In Chemical Engineering Research and Design 139, pp. 26–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2018.09.023

Laboratory Equipment

Measurement of the mechanical solid-liquid-separation by cake filtration

Setup according VDI 2762

Measurement of compressible filter cakes

Inhouse developed compression-permeability cell

Cross-flow filtration

Multiple experimental setups for tubular or flow-channel membranes. Superimposed electric field or backflush analysis.

Rotating disc filters

Single or multi-shift filters

Filter Media analysis

SEM (Phenom G2 Pro)

Computer-Micro-Tomograph (µ-CT, Werth)

Measurement of the pore size distribution from porous media(Porometer Model PSM 165, Topas GmbH))

Zeta-potential of bulk and woven materials (IKA, Anton-Paar)


Contact angle measuring device

Measurement of wetting properties from surfaces contacted by aerosol droplets

High speed cameras

Measurement of particle / droplet trajectories

Particle size measurement from 1 nm to 3 mm

static light scattering (Horiba LA 950, Retsch)


dynamic light scattering (Zetasizer Nano ZS, Malvern)


particle counter (Abakus, Markus Klotz GmbH)


containment sensors (Hydac)

Particle property measurement

Measurement of bulk porosity (Ultra-Pycnometer Model 1000T, Quantachrome)


Measurement of the inner surface from porous media (BET-Analysis Model Nova 200e, Quantachrome)


Measurement of the zeta-potential (Zetasizer Nano ZS, Malvern & PCD-05, Mütek)

Analytical centrifuge (LUMiSizer, LUM GmbH)

Dispersion Analysis

Simulation Tools

CFD Simulation

4 ways coupled CFD-DEM and resolved Lattice-Boltzmann-DEM

Coupled CFD-DEM