The energetic utilization of solid biomass (e.g. residues from the wood-processing industry) is most sensibly carried out decentrally, i.e.: in the low power range. Fixed-bed reactors are best suited for this purpose. Conversion processes in this type of reactor are therefore the focus of this group's work. Research is conducted on the topics of hydrogenation, pyrolysis, gasification and combustion of wood, charcoal and refuse-derived fuels. Activities in experiment, theory, modeling and numerical simulation go hand in hand. The investigations range from the molecular scale to the individual wood particle to the reactor or its control.

All these findings are brought together in a multi-scale model.