Process engineering

Process engineering encompasses machinery and plant for physical and chemical process steps in industrial material conversion. Key components include mixing processes (ploughshare, paddle and static mixers), centrifuges (decanters, disc separators) for the separation of solids and liquids, and reactor processes.

Distillation plants and dryers (spray, fluidised bed and belt dryers) are used for thermal separation. Filter systems handle mechanical phase separation using pressure, vacuum or gravity filtration.

Leading manufacturers include GEA, Alfa Laval, Bühler, Andritz, Sulzer, Putsch, Bertsch, Lödige, BHS Sonthofen and IKA.

Process engineering is applied in the chemical industry, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, the food and beverage industry, water treatment, and the oil and petrochemical industries.