Dr. Marion Börnhorst has actually been a group leader at the Chair of Response Engineering and Catalysis in the Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering considering that 2022, having actually previously studied chemical engineering at TU Dortmund University and earned her postgraduate degree at the Karlsruhe Institute of Innovation (PACKAGE). To successively change fossil energy sources and advance environmentally friendly production in the chemical industry, researchers must establish essential technologies that are efficient and sustainable. That is why Dr. Börnhorst is carrying out research into catalytic multiphase reactors and establishing structured drivers. Here, she is mostly studying those processes in chemical reactors in which gases, liquids and solids react with each other, as well as taking a look at how heat and compounds are exchanged between the stages and how the reactions taking place can be made more efficient.
Her research concentrates on new kinds of catalyst support structures: If a reactor wall has a structured surface area, for example, a larger amount of co2 can be absorbed into a solvent. The innovation might be utilized, on the one hand, to catch CO2 directly from the ambient air and, on the other hand, facilitate better emission control in energy-intensive industrial processes. In addition, Dr. Marion Börnhorst is checking out how, in the context of electrification, microwaves instead of fossil fuels can be used to heat reactors: The microwaves might heat up just the solids inside the reactor while the surrounding response medium remains cool. This would mean a substantial boost in efficiency. What’s more, this electrical variation would make it possible to change the reactor on and off rapidly and on the button, in this way improving process control.
Reward enables research stays abroad
Dr. Börnhorst will utilize the prize money to fund a one-month research stay with Teacher Dionisios Vlachos at the University of Delaware in the USA in March 2026. Professor Vlachos is among the prominent experts in multiphase response engineering and procedures, multiscale modeling, and the electrification of chemical reactors. Dr. Börnhorst wish to explore the capacity of structured drivers for the electrification of chemical (multiphase) reactors with him. To this end, they have currently planned to conduct measurements together in the labs there.
Teacher Manfred Bayer, President of TU Dortmund University, and Dr. Gert Fischer, member of the board of the Rudolf Chaudoire Structure, provided the welcome addresses at the award event of the meanwhile 30th Rudolf Chaudoire Prize. Professor Nele McElvany, Vice President Research Study at TU Dortmund University, introduced the prizewinner. Professor Norbert Kockmann, Dean of the Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, discussed new approaches to environmental protection and the circular economy, and positioned Dr. Börnhorst’s research study in this overarching context. He likewise commended the prizewinner’s dedication to supporting early profession scientists in the network “Nachwuchs Reaktionstechnik” (NaWuReT), amongst her other activities. The musical background for the evening was provided by the HBahneros.