Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM
Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM

Profile of Ralf Kirsch

Fields of Activity / Competences

  • Head of development of the Filter Element Simulation Toolbox FiltEST
  • Modeling and simulation of filtration
  • Optimization of filtering media
  • Coupling of CFD and structural mechanics simulation <FilterDeformation>

 

Membership

  • Appointed member of the DECHEMA/VDI Mechanical Fluid Separation Technical Committee
  • Member of the Scientific Committee of the FILTECH conference

 

Publications

  • R. Kirsch, C. Mercier, and S. Antonyuk, “Effects of nonwoven compression on the filter performance of air filter media,” F&S International Edition 2025, no. 03/2025, pp. 7–13, 2025.
  • R. Kirsch, C. Mercier, and S. Antonyuk, “Auswirkungen der Vliesstoffkompression auf die Filterleistung von Luftfiltermedien,” F&S Filtrieren und Separieren, no. 03/2025, pp. 33–40, 2025.
  • C. Mercier, R. Kirsch, S. Antonyuk, and S. Osterroth, “Experimental investigation and modeling of the flow resistance of compressed nonwoven filter media,” Chemical Engineering Research and Design, vol. 216, pp. 237–250, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.cherd.2025.02.036
  • C. Mercier, R. Kirsch, and S. Antonyuk, “Analytical model for the initial efficiency of compressed nonwoven electret media for air filtration,” Chemical Engineering Research and Design, vol. 216, pp. 549–563, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.cherd.2025.01.032
  • P. Toktaliev, R. Kirsch, M. Krier, D. Niedziela, and D. Neusius, “Multiscale simulation of polymer melt flow through wire mesh filters,” in FILTECH 2024 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2024, pp. L03-01.
  • V. Puderbach, R. Kirsch, and S. Antonyuk, “Experimental Characterization of the Mechanical Properties of Filter Media in Solid–Liquid Filtration Processes,” Materials, vol. 17, no. 18, p. 4578, 2024, doi: 10.3390/ma17184578
  • C. Mercier, R. Kirsch, S. Osterroth, and S. Antonyuk, “Influence of material compression on the filter performance of electrostatic charged filter media,” in FILTECH 2024 Conference Proceedings, 2024, pp. G14-01.
  • M. Krier, R. Kirsch, C. Mercier, J. Orlik, and S. Rief, “Fast computation of the mechanical properties of filter fabrics and application to flow-induced deformation,” in FILTECH 2024 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2024, pp. F07-03.
  • R. Kirsch, C. Mercier, K. Schladitz, M. Godehardt, E. Dahrmann, and M. Tagliani, “Next generation FFP 2 part II: Material characterization, design and assessment of performance,” in FILTECH 2024 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2024, pp. G06-02.
  • V. Puderbach, M. Weirich, Kirsch, Ralf, J. Köbler, N. Henkelmann, and S. Antonyuk, “Flow-induced deformation of nonwoven filter media: Experiments, modeling and simulation,” in FILTECH 2023 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2023, pp. F05-03.
  • S. Osterroth and R. Kirsch, “Multiscale modeling and simulation of coolant particle filters and ion exchangers in electric mobility,” in FILTECH 2023 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2023, pp. L13-03.
  • C. Mercier, S. Antonyuk, M. Kerner, R. Kirsch, S. Osterroth, and S. Rief, “Influence of material compression on the mechanical and electrostatic capturing efficiency of filter media,” in FILTECH 2023 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2023, pp. G03-01.
  • M. Krier, R. Kirsch, C. Mercier, J. Orlik, S. Rief, and K. Steiner, “Efficient simulation of flow-induced deformation of woven filter media,” in FILTECH 2023 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2023, pp. F05-02.
  • R. Kirsch and A. Schmeißer, “Vom Prozess bis zur Multiphysik: Digitale Zwillinge für die Filtration,” F&S Filtrieren und Separieren, vol. 2023, no. 01, pp. 8–12, 2023.
  • R. Kirsch and A. Schmeißer, “From production process to operation: Digital twins for filtration,” F&S International Edition 2023, vol. Highlights 2022, pp. 32–36, 2023.
  • A. Schwarzwälder, S. Osterroth, R. Kirsch, and M. Böhle, “Modeling and simulation of moisture penetration and wearing time of face masks,” in FILTECH 2022 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2022, pp. G02-02.
  • V. Puderbach, O. Lykhachova, R. Kirsch, and S. Antonyuk, “Flow-induced deformation of filter media - Part 1: Experimental characterization and 3D simulation of the mechanical properties of filter media during perfusion,” in FILTECH 2022 Conference Proceedings, 2022, pp. F07-01.
  • C. Mercier, R. Kirsch, S. Osterroth, and S. Rief, “Influence of an inhomogeneous material distribution on the overall filtration efficiency of fibrous media,” in FILTECH 2022 Conference Proceedings, 2022, pp. G10-01.
  • R. Kirsch et al., “Models and algorithms for the optimization of processes and nonwoven products used in personal protective equipment,” in F&S Global Guide of the Filtration and Separation IndustryF&S Global Guide of the Filtration and Separation Industry, vol. F&S Global Guide 2022-2024, Vulkan-Verlag, 2022, pp. 129–135.
  • R. Kirsch et al., “Modelle und Algorithmen für die Prozess- und Produktoptimierung von Vliesstoffen für die persönliche Schutzausrüstung,” in F&S Global Guide: Welt-Handbuch der Filtrations- und Separationsindustrie, vol. F&S Global Guide 2022-2024, Vulkan-Verlag, 2022, pp. 187–194.
  • R. Kirsch, S. Antonyuk, V. Puderbach, and R. Deshpande, “Flow-induced deformation of filter media - Part 2: Modeling and simulation,” in FILTECH 2022 Conference Proceedings, 2022, pp. F07-02.
  • O. Elsayed, R. Kirsch, S. Osterroth, and S. Antonyuk, “Microscale modeling and simulation of the removal of water from diesel using hydrophobic separator meshes,” in FILTECH 2022 Conference Proceedings, 2022, pp. L13-03.
  • S. Rief, M. Kabel, R. Kirsch, and S. Staub, “A multi-scale study of the permeability of compressed nonwoven filter media,” in FILTECH 2019 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2019, pp. F10-03.
  • P. Rack, R. Kirsch, M. Dedering, D. Feggeler, and E. von Lavante, “Investigation of magnetic separation for the cleaning of automatic transmission fluids,” in FILTECH 2019 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2019, pp. L09-05.
  • S. Osterroth and R. Kirsch, “Modeling the dynamics of filtration processes under variable flow conditions,” in FILTECH 2019 Conference Proceedings, 2019, pp. L15-01.
  • O. Elsayed, R. Kirsch, S. Osterroth, and S. Antonyuk, “Computer-aided study of the diesel-water separation efficiency of screen meshes,” in FILTECH 2019 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2019, pp. F11-03.
  • S. Osterroth, R. Kirsch, and S. Rief, “Build-up of internal cake in layered filtering media,” in FILTECH 2018 Conference Proceedings, 2018, pp. L05-02.
  • R. Kirsch, S. Osterroth, S. Rief, and M. Kabel, “A two-scale approach for the computation of flow through pleated filters based on real image data,” in FILTECH 2018 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2018, pp. F05-02.
  • M. Kabel, R. Kirsch, S. Osterroth, S. Rief, and S. Staub, “Including filter media heterogeneities in the simulation of filtration processes,” in American Filtration and Separations Society Spring Conference, Prior Lake, Minnesota, USA, 2018, pp. 777–785.
  • O. Iliev, R. Kirsch, and S. Osterroth, “Combined Depth and Cake Filtration Model Coupled with Flow Simulation for Flat and Pleated Filters,” Chem Eng & Technol, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 70–78, 2018, doi: 10.1002/ceat.201700115
  • S. Osterroth, R. Kirsch, and O. Iliev, “Combined depth and cake filtration coupled toflow simulation,” in FILTECH 2016 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2016, pp. L12-02.
  • R. Kirsch, M. Kabel, and S. Staub, “Towards the simulation of manufacturing effects on multi-layered filter media,” in FILTECH 2016 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2016, pp. F06-02.
  • R. Kirsch, O. Iliev, D. Iliev, M. Kabel, and S. Staub, “Kopplung von CFD und Elastizitätslösern zur Simulation der strömungsinduzierten Verformung von Filtermedien,” in Berechnung und Simulation: Anwendungen - Entwicklungen - Trends, Bamberg: NAFEMS GmbH, 2016, pp. 147–150.
  • O. Iliev, D. Iliev, and R. Kirsch, “Numerical simulation of the fluid flow and poroelastic deformation in round pleated filter cartridges,” in FILTECH 2016 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2016, pp. G09-03.
  • S. Osterroth, O. Iliev, and R. Kirsch, “Cake filtration simulation for poly-dispersed spherical particles,” in FILTECH 2015 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2015, pp. L10-.03.
  • R. Kirsch, M. Kabel, S. Staub, M. Dedering, and D. Bernards, “Experimental study and numerical simulation of the flow-induced deformation of filter media in automotive transmission filters,” in FILTECH 2015 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2015, pp. L15-02.
  • O. Iliev, R. Kirsch, Z. Lakdawala, S. Rief, and K. Steiner, “Modeling and Simulation of Filtration Processes,” in Currents in Industrial Mathematics, 1st ed., H. Neunzert and D. Prätzel-Wolters, Eds., Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2015, pp. 163–228. doi: 10.1007/978-3-662-48258-2_7
  • O. Iliev, D. Iliev, and R. Kirsch, “On Computer Simulation of Fluid-Porous Structure Interaction Problems for a Class of Filtration Problems,” in Large-Scale Scientific Computing. LSSC 2015, vol. 9374, I. Lirkov, S. D. Margenov, and J. Waśniewski, Eds., in Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 9374. , Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2015, pp. 30–41. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-26520-9_3
  • O. Iliev, D. Iliev, R. Kirsch, A. Mikelić, G. Printsypar, and V. Calo, “Efficient simulation of poroelastic deformations in pleated filters,” in FILTECH 2015 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2015, pp. F05-01.
  • N. Grosjean et al., “Experimental and numerical study of the interaction between fluid flow and filtering media on the macroscopic scale,” Separation and Purification Technology, vol. 156, pp. 22–27, 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2015.09.010
  • L. Cheng, R. Kirsch, J. Becker, and A. Wiegmann, “An investigation of the shorter lifetime of pleated filter compared to flat sheet,” in FILTECH 2015 Conference Proceedings, Cologne, Germany, 2015, pp. G11-02.
  • O. Iliev, R. Kirsch, Z. Lakdawala, and G. Printsypar, “MPFA Algorithm for Solving Stokes-Brinkman Equations on Quadrilateral Grids,” in Finite Volumes for Complex Applications VII-Elliptic, Parabolic and Hyperbolic Problems, J. Fuhrmann, M. Ohlberger, and C. Rohde, Eds., Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2014, pp. 647–654. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-05591-6_64
  • O. Iliev, R. Kirsch, Z. Lakdawala, S. Rief, and K. Steiner, “Modellierung und Simulation von Filtrationsprozessen,” in Mathematik im Fraunhofer-Institut, 1st ed., H. Neunzert and D. Prätzel-Wolters, Eds., Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2014, pp. 167–238. doi: 10.1007/978-3-662-44877-9_7
  • Z. Lakdawala, O. Iliev, and R. Kirsch, “Numerical simulation of non-Darcy flow using Filter Element Simulation Toolbox (FiltEST),” in FILTECH 2013 Conference Proceedings, Wiesbaden, Germany, 2013, pp. G18-02.
  • O. Iliev, Kirsch, Ralf, Z. Lakdawala, and A. Zemitis, “Effizienzsteigernde Verfahrensweisen bei der simulationsgestützten Filterauslegung,” NAFEMS Online-Magazin, vol. 2013, no. 3, pp. 67–74, 2013.
  • D. Iliev, O. Iliev, and R. Kirsch, “Modeling and simulation of fluid-porous structure interaction (FPSI) on the filter element scale,” in FILTECH 2013 Conference Proceedings, Wiesbaden, Germany, 2013, pp. G16-03.
  • L. Cheng, R. Kirsch, A. Wiegmann, and P.-C. Gervais, “PleatLab: A pleat scale simulation environment for filtration simulation,” in FILTECH 2013 Conference Proceedings, Wiesbaden, Germany, 2013, pp. G18-03.
  • H. Andrä, O. Iliev, M. Kabel, R. Kirsch, and Z. Lakdawala, “CAE zur Simulation von Filterlelementen,” NAFEMS Online-Magazin, vol. 2012, no. 3, pp. 64–71, 2012.
  • R. Kirsch, O. Iliev, and Z. Lakdawala, “On some macroscopic models for depth filtration: Analytical solutions and parameter identification,” in FILTECH 2011 Conference Proceedings, Wiesbaden, Germany, 2011, pp. 440–447.
  • M. Kabel, O. Iliev, Z. Lakdawala, and R. Kirsch, “Modelling and simulation of filter media loading and of pleats deflection,” in FILTECH 2011 Conference Proceedings, Wiesbaden, Germany, 2011, pp. 480–486.
  • O. Iliev, Z. Lakdawala, R. Kirsch, K. Steiner, E. Toroshchin, and M. Dedering, “CFD simulations for better filter element design,” in FILTECH 2011 Conference Proceedings, Wiesbaden, Germany, 2011, pp. 181–188.
  • O. Iliev, M. Kabel, R. Kirsch, Z. Lakdawala, Starikovicius, Vadimas, and M. Dedering, “Computer Aided Engineering for the Design of Filter Elements,” in The Integration of CFD into the Product Development Process, Wiesbaden, Germany: NAFEMS GmbH, 2011, p. 9.
  • H. Andrä, O. Iliev, M. Kabel, R. Kirsch, Z. Lakdawala, and S. Ricker, “Fluid‐structure interaction in porous media for loaded filter pleats,” Proc Appl Math and Mech, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 489–490, 2011, doi: 10.1002/pamm.201110236
  • R. Kirsch and S. Rjasanow, “The uniformly heated inelastic Boltzmann equation in Fourier space,” KRM, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 445–456, 2010, doi: 10.3934/krm.2010.3.445
  • R. Kirsch and S. Rjasanow, “The Fourier transformed inelastic Boltzmann equation,” Oberwolfach Reports, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 2962–2965, 2009, doi: 10.4171/OWR/2008/52
  • S. Rjasanow and R. Kirsch, “Some explicit expressions of the Fourier transformed Boltzmann equation,” Oberwolfach Reports, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 3245–3247, 2007, doi: DOI 10.4171/OWR/2006/54
  • R. Kirsch and U. Schmitt, Programmieren in C - Eine mathematikorientierte Einführung. in Masterclass. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2007.
  • R. Kirsch and S. Rjasanow, “A Weak Formulation of the Boltzmann Equation Based on the Fourier Transform,” J Stat Phys, vol. 129, no. 3, pp. 483–492, 2007, doi: 10.1007/s10955-007-9374-1
  • R. Duduchava, R. Kirsch, and S. Rjasanow, “On Estimates of the Boltzmann Collision Operator with Cut-off,” J. math. fluid mech., vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 242–266, 2006, doi: 10.1007/s00021-004-0144-4