Christoph Markowitsch

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher at Montanuniversität Leoben, where I am currently establishing a research group on sustainable fuels together with three PhD students. My work focuses on flowsheet simulations in ASPEN Plus and techno-economic assessments (TEA) of various process routes and feedstocks (Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, methanol synthesis, alcohol-to-jet). An important part of our research is the experimental development, optimization and validation of individual process steps, using data from our mini-plant facilities to calibrate and improve the models. Looking ahead, we will also place a stronger emphasis on life-cycle assessment (LCA).

In parallel, together with my team we develop machine learning methods (chemical/physical informed neural networks) to better describe reaction kinetics and conversions, using data from our mini-plant facilities. During my research stay at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (Prof. George Huber), I extended my expertise in catalyst development and kinetic modeling.

My long-term goal is to advance the transition towards a sustainable energy and fuel system by integrating advanced simulations, experimental data, and AI-based methods.