
Overview
Background
Biography:
Tony Howes graduated from UQ in 1983 with a degree in chemical engineering, and after 6 months working on a novel fluid bed retort system for oil shale went to Cambridge, UK, where he worked with Malcolm Mackley as his first PhD student on what is now the “Oscillating Baffled Reactor”. His dissertation was awarded the 1988 Danckwerts-Maxwell prize for best thesis in that year. A postdoctoral year at Brown University working on patterns in fluid data sets was followed by 3 ½ years in ICI’s Corporate Colloid Science Group, where he worked on theory and application of a novel atomiser.
Since 1993 Tony has been at The University of Queensland teaching, supervising and doing research. His work (largely in collaboration with Bhesh Bhandari in Food Science) on sticky droplet spray drying has been extensively published and cited – at present Bhandari and Howes papers are in the top-10 most cited in Drying Technology, Journal of Food Engineering and International Journal of Food Properties.
Tony has also worked on a variety of other particle problems, including solid state fermentation, regimes in rotating drums and prilling. Following work on sticky mud particles he was heavily involved in local water quality issues, and sat on the Scientific Expert Panel of the Healthy Waterways Partnership in South East Queensland.
At UQ he co-ordinated an innovative programme where students are placed in industry for a research project, and actively reflect on their learning and interact with UQ staff while in industry. In 2008 he was nominated for a University Teaching Excellence Award for his efforts on this programme.
Research:
My research focus is on spray drying, especially of sticky or potentially sticky foods. With key collaborators (Prof. Bhesh Bhandari, UQ, A.Prof Benu Adhikari University of Ballarat) we have developed rules and understanding of the role of sugars, proteins and other additives on the drying of sugar rich foods, including fruit juices, honey and milk products.
My general interests are in the modelling and physical aspects of these systems.
Teaching and Learning:
Teaching: Engineering Thermodynamics (1st year)
Education Research: The role of Work Integrated Learning in the BE and ME programmes.
Projects:
- Spray drying at elevated temperatures
- API crystallisation modelling
- Role of proteins and additives in food spray drying
- Morphology development in spray drying
Availability
- Dr Tony Howes is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Tony Howes’s works on UQ eSpace
2011
Conference Publication
Effect of high shear wet milling (HSWM) of recrystallized ibuprofen particles on its flow properties for solid dosage pharmaceutical formulation
Rashid, Abdur, Marziano, Ivan, White, Ted, Howes, Tony, Litster, Jim and Liu, Lian X. (2011). Effect of high shear wet milling (HSWM) of recrystallized ibuprofen particles on its flow properties for solid dosage pharmaceutical formulation. Chemeca 2011: Australasian Conference on Chemical Engineering, Sydney, Australia, 18-21 September 2011. Barton, ACT, Australia: Engineers Australia.
2011
Conference Publication
Influence of particle size on the direct compression of ibuprofen and its binary mixtures
Liu, Lian X., Marziano, I, Bentham, A.C, Litster, J.D., White, E.T. and Howes, T. (2011). Influence of particle size on the direct compression of ibuprofen and its binary mixtures. Particulate Processes in the Pharmaceutical Industry III, An ECI Conference Series, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 24-29 July 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
Work integrated learning: A realistic evaluation of KMUTT’s chemical engineering practice school
Thonglek, Saranya, Howes, Tony and Kavanagh, Lydia (2011). Work integrated learning: A realistic evaluation of KMUTT’s chemical engineering practice school. 22nd Annual Conference for the Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE), Fremantle, WA, Australia, 5-7 December 2011. Barton, ACT, Australia: Engineers Australia.
2011
Conference Publication
Crystallization kinetics of ibuprofen from ethanol and aqueous ethanol
Rashid, Abdur, White, Edward T., Howes, Tony, Litster, James D. and Marziano, Ivan (2011). Crystallization kinetics of ibuprofen from ethanol and aqueous ethanol. 10th International Conference on Chemical and Process Engineering (ICheaP-10), Firenze, Italy, 8-11 May 2011. Italy: AIDIC Servizi. doi: 10.3303/CET1124106
2011
Conference Publication
Nucleation kinetics for ibuprofen crystals grown from aqueous ethanol
Rashid, A., White, E. T., Howes, T,, Litster, J. D. and Marziano, I. (2011). Nucleation kinetics for ibuprofen crystals grown from aqueous ethanol. Chemeca 2011 Australasian Conference on Chemical Engineering, Sydney, Australia, 18-21 September 2011. Sydney, Australia: Engineers Australia.
2010
Conference Publication
Growth rates of ibuprofen crystals grown from ethanol
Rashid, Abdur, White, Ted, Howes, Tony, Litster, J. D. and Marziano, I. (2010). Growth rates of ibuprofen crystals grown from ethanol. 40th Annual Australasian Chemical and Process Engineering Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, 26–29 September 2010. Barton, ACT, Australia: Engineers Australia.
2009
Journal Article
A modified cyclone stickiness test for characterizing food powders
Intipunya, P., Shrestha, A., Howes, T. and Bhandari, B. (2009). A modified cyclone stickiness test for characterizing food powders. Journal of Food Engineering, 94 (3-4), 300-306. doi: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2009.03.024
2009
Journal Article
The effect of low molecular weight surfactants and proteins on surface stickiness of sucrose during powder formation through spray drying
Adhikari, B., Howes, T., Wood, B. J. and Bhandari, B. R. (2009). The effect of low molecular weight surfactants and proteins on surface stickiness of sucrose during powder formation through spray drying. Journal of Food Engineering, 94 (2), 135-143. doi: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2009.01.022
2009
Journal Article
Effect of addition of proteins on the production of amorphous sucrose powder through spray drying
Adhikari, B., Howes, T., Bhandari, B. R. and Langrish, T. A. G. (2009). Effect of addition of proteins on the production of amorphous sucrose powder through spray drying. JOURNAL OF FOOD ENGINEERING, 94 (2), 144-153. doi: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2009.01.029
2009
Journal Article
Gel particles from spray-dried disordered polysaccharides
Burey, P, Bhandari, BR, Howes, T and Gidley, MJ (2009). Gel particles from spray-dried disordered polysaccharides. CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS, 76 (2), 206-213. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2008.10.001
2009
Conference Publication
Metastable Zone width for racemic ibuprofen in ethanol and aqueous ethanol mixtures
Rashid, A., White, E. T., Howes, T., Litster, J. D. and Marziano, I. (2009). Metastable Zone width for racemic ibuprofen in ethanol and aqueous ethanol mixtures. CHEMECA 2009, Perth, Australia, 27-30 September. Perth, Australia: Engineers Australia.
2009
Conference Publication
Influence of Particle Size and Crystal Habit on the Direct Compression of Ibuprofen
Liu, L. X., Marziano, I., Bentham, A. C., Litster, J. D., White, E. T. and Howes, T. (2009). Influence of Particle Size and Crystal Habit on the Direct Compression of Ibuprofen. 6th International Conference for Conveying & Handling of Particulate Solids, Brisbane, Australia, 3-7 August 2009. Barton, ACT Australia: Engineers Australia.
2008
Journal Article
Effect of particle properties on the flowability of ibuprofen powders
Liu, L. X., Marziano, I., Bentham, A. C., Litster, J. D., White, E. T. and Howes, T. (2008). Effect of particle properties on the flowability of ibuprofen powders. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 362 (1-2), 109-117. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2008.06.023
2008
Journal Article
Spray drying of skim milk mixed with milk permeate: Effect on drying behavior, physicochemical properties, and storage stability of powder
Shrestha, Ashok K., Howes, Tony, Adhikari, Benu P. and Bhandari, Bhesh R. (2008). Spray drying of skim milk mixed with milk permeate: Effect on drying behavior, physicochemical properties, and storage stability of powder. Drying Technology, 26 (2), 239-247. doi: 10.1080/07373930701831663
2008
Conference Publication
Processing-Structure-Property Relationships in Biopolymer Gel Particles
Burey, P., Bhandari, B., Howes, T. and Gidley, M. (2008). Processing-Structure-Property Relationships in Biopolymer Gel Particles. 14th Gums and Stabilisers for the Food Industry Conference, Wrexham, UK., 18-22 June, 2007. Cambridge UK: The Royal Society of Chemistry.
2008
Conference Publication
Racemic ibuprofen solubility in ethanol and aqueous ethanolic mixtures
Rashid, A., White, E.T., Howes, T., Litster, J.D. and Marziano, I. (2008). Racemic ibuprofen solubility in ethanol and aqueous ethanolic mixtures. Chemeca 2008, Newcastle, Australia, 28 September - 1 October 2008. New South Wales, Australia: Engineers Australia.
2008
Conference Publication
Dynamic modelling of particle-droplet collisions
Van Der Hoeven, M. J., Howes, Tony, Litster, James D., Wildeboer, W. J., Meesters, G. M. H. and Cameron, I. T. (2008). Dynamic modelling of particle-droplet collisions. 2008 AIChE Annual Meeting, AIChE 100, Philadelphia, PA, 16 - 21 November 2008. New York, NY United States: American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
2008
Conference Publication
Effect of particle properties on the compaction of ibuprofen powders
Liu, L. X., Marziano, I., Bentham, A. C., Litster, J. D., White, E. T. and Howes, T. (2008). Effect of particle properties on the compaction of ibuprofen powders. Chemeca 2008, Newcastle, Australia, 28 September - 1 October 2008. New South Wales, Australia: Engineers Australia.
2008
Journal Article
Hydrocolloid Gel Particles: Formation, Characterization, and Application
Burey, P., Bhandari, B. R., Howes, T. and Gidley, M. J. (2008). Hydrocolloid Gel Particles: Formation, Characterization, and Application. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 48 (5), 361-377. doi: 10.1080/10408390701347801
2008
Conference Publication
Processing-structure-property relationships in biopolymer gel particles
Burey, P., Bhandari, B., Howes, T. and Gidley, M. (2008). Processing-structure-property relationships in biopolymer gel particles. 2007 14th Gums and Stabilisers for the Food Industry Conference, 18 - 22 June, 2007. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Royal Society of Chemistry. doi: 10.1039/9781847558312-00053
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Tony Howes is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
A simple model for coastalwaterway management
This research project is part of a larger Coastal Co-operative Research Centre project on the interface between modelling, monitoring and management in coastal waterways. Monitoring is essential for determining the water quality and ecosystem health of waterways. However, the are significant constraints on the design and operation of these programs due to cost and resource limitations. Furthermore, there are minimum requirements on the amount of data that is necessary to provide statistical confidence. This research project will aim to overcome some of these limitations by investigating the use of simple models for the design and interpretation of water quality monitoring data.
Funds are available to top-up an APA or other scholarship by up to $5000 p.a. Importantly, the successful student will have an operating budget of up to $5000 p.a. and similar support for professional development, (to June 2006). The project involves close collaboration with the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency as well as a range of other stakeholders.
Students will need an honours degree in a suitable field (Science, Engineering) and an interest in modelling and water quality issues.
For more details contact Tony Howes, School of Engineering, The University of Queensland (phone (07) 3365 4262, email tonyh@uq.edu.au)
-
Design of a PID controller for a drying rig
We presently have apparatus which blows hot, dry air over a single droplet, and we obtain the drying kinetics of the drying through computer measurements of the droplet temperature and weight.
We have a project which looks at improving the control of the in-coming air stream temperature and humidity, which at present is manually set by the user and monitored. In particular, we would like to look at using the data acquisition card and software in the computer to control the heating and humid air flow rates in order to perform this control.
The project would suit a student interested in control or data acquisition.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Percrystallisation in Hydrometallurgy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor James Vaughan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Percrystallisation in Hydrometallurgy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor James Vaughan
Completed supervision
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Atomisation, Flow Patterns and Gelation of Impinging Aerosols in a Continuous Microgel Producing Device
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Maximising Stakeholders¿ Benefits of Work Integrated Learning Programs: Schools of Chemical Engineering
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lydia Kavanagh
-
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
A conceptual model of a sustainable system based upon observations of biodegradable plastic packaging film experiments and material flow
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Halley
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Crystallization Engineering of Ibuprofen for Pharmaceutical Formulation
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Biodiversity of phytoplankton and seagrass epiphyte assemblages in Hervey Bay: Links to water quality and habitat characterisation during a recovery phase of seagrass growth
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Particle-Droplet Collisions in Spray Drying
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Ian Cameron
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Interpreting Residence Time Distributions in Water Treatment Systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Lant
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
RIVERINE TURBIDITY AND RESUSPENSION PROCESSES
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
GLASS TRANSITION TEMPERATURE OF A DRYING DROPLET WITH VARIABLE COMPOSITION AND ITS IMPLICATION TO THE SPRAY DRYING OF SUGAR-RICH FOODS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
RESIDENCE TIME DISTRIBUTION STUDIES OF WASTEWATER FLOWS THROUGHT HE OXLEY CREEK SUBSURFACE FLOW CONSTRUCTED TREATMENT WETLAND
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
A study of turboflotation - a novel high-intensity flotation system
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
ELECTRIC IMPEDANCE. TOMOGRAPHY FOR MEASUREMENT OF SOLIDS CONCENTRATION
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS DESIGN OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Studies of the Encapsulation and Release of Carbon Dioxide from Amorphous and Crystalline Alpha-Cyclodextrin Powders and Its Application in Food Systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Model Structure and Rheology of Weak Gel Suspensions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Stokes
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Drainage and stability of foam films during bubble coalescence in aqueous salt solutions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anh Nguyen
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the mechanism and factors affecting the surface composition of powder particles containing proteins during spray drying.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Dynamics of Drop Formation in Microfluidic Devices
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Justin Cooper-White
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW INSTRUMENTAL TECHNIQUES FOR MEASUREMENT OF STICKINESS OF SOLID PARTICULATE FOOD MATERIALS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
MODELLING OF THE GLASS TRANSITION TEMPERATURE OF SUGAR-RICH FOODS AND ITS RELATION TO SPRAY DRYING OF SUCH PRODUCTS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Tony Howes directly for media enquiries about:
- Atomisation - chemical engeering
- Coalescence - chemical engineering
- Flocculation - chemical engineering
- Fluid mixing - chemical engineering
- Spray drying - chemical engineering
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