Dr Tony Howes
Dr

Tony Howes

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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:

  1. Spray drying at elevated temperatures
  2. API crystallisation modelling
  3. Role of proteins and additives in food spray drying
  4. 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

Search Professor Tony Howes’s works on UQ eSpace

164 works between 1990 and 2024
All (164) Journal Article (114) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (48)

81 - 100 of 164 works

2005

Journal Article

Optimization of co-current spray drying process of sugar-rich foods. Part I - Moisture and glass transition temperature profile during drying

Truong, Vinh, Bhandari, Bhesh R. and Howes, Tony (2005). Optimization of co-current spray drying process of sugar-rich foods. Part I - Moisture and glass transition temperature profile during drying. Journal of Food Engineering, 71 (1), 55-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2004.10.017

Optimization of co-current spray drying process of sugar-rich foods. Part I - Moisture and glass transition temperature profile during drying

2005

Journal Article

Optimization of cocurrent spray drying process for sugar-rich foods. Part II - optimization of spray drying process based on glass transition concept

Truong, Vinh , Bhandari, Bhesh R. and Howes, Tony (2005). Optimization of cocurrent spray drying process for sugar-rich foods. Part II - optimization of spray drying process based on glass transition concept. Journal of Food Engineering, 71 (1), 66-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2004.10.018

Optimization of cocurrent spray drying process for sugar-rich foods. Part II - optimization of spray drying process based on glass transition concept

2005

Journal Article

Effect of initial disturbance amplitude in gravity affected jet break-up

Cheong, B. S. and Howes, T. (2005). Effect of initial disturbance amplitude in gravity affected jet break-up. Chemical Engineering Science, 60 (13), 3715-3719. doi: 10.1016/j.ces.2005.02.014

Effect of initial disturbance amplitude in gravity affected jet break-up

2005

Journal Article

Measurement of glass-rubber transition temperature of skim milk powder by static mechanical test

Boonyai, Pilairuk, Bhandari, Bhesh and Howes, Tony (2005). Measurement of glass-rubber transition temperature of skim milk powder by static mechanical test. Drying Technology, 23 (7), 1499-1514. doi: 10.1081/DRT-20063538

Measurement of glass-rubber transition temperature of skim milk powder by static mechanical test

2005

Journal Article

Solid transport in a pyrolysis pilot-scale rotary kiln: Preliminary results?stationary and dynamic results

Descoins, N., Dirion, J. L. and Howes, T. (2005). Solid transport in a pyrolysis pilot-scale rotary kiln: Preliminary results?stationary and dynamic results. Chemical Engineering and Processing, 44 (2), 315-321. doi: 10.1016/j.cep.2004.02.025

Solid transport in a pyrolysis pilot-scale rotary kiln: Preliminary results?stationary and dynamic results

2005

Conference Publication

Development of a decision support system for water quality managers: Concepts and Structure

Harris, C. A., Ramsay, and Howes, T. (2005). Development of a decision support system for water quality managers: Concepts and Structure. The International Conference on Simulation and Modeling 2005, Nakompathom, Thailand, 17-19 January 2005. Bangkok, Thailand: Asian Institute of Technology.

Development of a decision support system for water quality managers: Concepts and Structure

2005

Conference Publication

Does Modelling Need An Image Consultant?

Harris, C. A., Ramsay, and Howes, T. (2005). Does Modelling Need An Image Consultant?. MODSIMO5: International Congress on Modelling and Simulation Advances and Appilcations for Management and Decision Making, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 12-15 December 2005. Melbourne, Australia: The Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand.

Does Modelling Need An Image Consultant?

2005

Conference Publication

Glass transition approach to explain the stickiness of acid-whey during spray drying

Shrestha, Ashok K., Howes, Tony, Adhikari, Benu P. and Bhandari, Bhesh R. (2005). Glass transition approach to explain the stickiness of acid-whey during spray drying. 37th Annual AIFST Convention, Darling Harbour, Sydney, 10-13 July 2005. Sydney, Australia: AIFST, Australia.

Glass transition approach to explain the stickiness of acid-whey during spray drying

2005

Conference Publication

Glass transition and crystallization behaviour of lactose in spray dried mixtrues of hydrolyzed whey protein and lactose

Shrestha, A. K., Howes, T., Adhikari, B. P. and Bhandari, B. R. (2005). Glass transition and crystallization behaviour of lactose in spray dried mixtrues of hydrolyzed whey protein and lactose. Workshop on Drying of Food & Pharmaceuticals, Kolkata, India, 13-15 December, 2005. New Delhi: Allied.

Glass transition and crystallization behaviour of lactose in spray dried mixtrues of hydrolyzed whey protein and lactose

2005

Book Chapter

Sediments

Howes, T. (2005). Sediments. Healthy waterways, healthy catchments: making the connection in south east Queensland, Australia. (pp. 70-91) edited by Eva G Abal, Stuart e Bunn and William C Dennison. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchments Partnership.

Sediments

2005

Journal Article

A glass transition temperature approach for the prediction of the surface stickiness of a drying droplet during spray drying

Adhikari, B., Howes, T., Lecomte, D. and Bhandari, B. R. (2005). A glass transition temperature approach for the prediction of the surface stickiness of a drying droplet during spray drying. Powder Technology, 149 (2-3), 168-179. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2004.11.007

A glass transition temperature approach for the prediction of the surface stickiness of a drying droplet during spray drying

2005

Conference Publication

An Integrated Water Assessment Decision Support System (IWADSS) for Government Decision Makers

Ramsay,, Harris, C. A., Howes, T. and Stevens, A (2005). An Integrated Water Assessment Decision Support System (IWADSS) for Government Decision Makers. MODSIMO5: International Congress on Modelling and Simulation Advances and Appilcations for Management and Decision Making, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 12-15 December 2005. Melbourne, Australia: The Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand.

An Integrated Water Assessment Decision Support System (IWADSS) for Government Decision Makers

2005

Journal Article

Relating the stickiness property of foods undergoing drying and dried products to their surface energetics

Bhandari, B. R. and Howes, T. (2005). Relating the stickiness property of foods undergoing drying and dried products to their surface energetics. Drying Technology, 23 (4), 781-797. doi: 10.1081/DRT-200054194

Relating the stickiness property of foods undergoing drying and dried products to their surface energetics

2004

Journal Article

Capillary jet instability under the influence of gravity

Cheong, B. S. and Howes, T. (2004). Capillary jet instability under the influence of gravity. Chemical Engineering Science, 59 (11), 2145-2157. doi: 10.1016/j.ces.2004.02.008

Capillary jet instability under the influence of gravity

2004

Journal Article

Stickiness measurement techniques for food powders: a review

Boonyai, P., Bhandari, B. and Howes, T. (2004). Stickiness measurement techniques for food powders: a review. Powder Technology, 145 (1), 34-46. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2004.04.039

Stickiness measurement techniques for food powders: a review

2004

Conference Publication

Development and testing of a static mechanical test device for measuring glass transition of amorphous food powders

Boonyai, P., Bhandari, B. R. and Howes, T. (2004). Development and testing of a static mechanical test device for measuring glass transition of amorphous food powders. Drying 2004, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 27-29 August 2004. Brazil: Ourograf Grafica Editora.

Development and testing of a static mechanical test device for measuring glass transition of amorphous food powders

2004

Journal Article

Effect of addition of maltodextrin on drying kinetics and stickiness of sugar and acid-rich foods during convective drying: experiments and modelling

Adhikari, B., Howes, T., Bhandari, B. R. and Truong, V. (2004). Effect of addition of maltodextrin on drying kinetics and stickiness of sugar and acid-rich foods during convective drying: experiments and modelling. Journal of Food Engineering, 62 (1), 53-68. doi: 10.1016/S0260-8774(03)00171-7

Effect of addition of maltodextrin on drying kinetics and stickiness of sugar and acid-rich foods during convective drying: experiments and modelling

2004

Conference Publication

Breakage can cause mean size to increase

Neumann, L. E., Howes, T. and White, E. T. (2004). Breakage can cause mean size to increase. Australia: Curtin University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engig. doi: 10.1002/apj.5500120414

Breakage can cause mean size to increase

2004

Journal Article

Dynamic interfacial tension of aqueous solutions of PVAAs and its role in liquid-liquid dispersion stabilization

He, Yinghe, Howes, Tony and Litster, Jim D. (2004). Dynamic interfacial tension of aqueous solutions of PVAAs and its role in liquid-liquid dispersion stabilization. Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan, 37 (2), 181-186. doi: 10.1252/jcej.37.181

Dynamic interfacial tension of aqueous solutions of PVAAs and its role in liquid-liquid dispersion stabilization

2004

Journal Article

Glass transition behaviour of fructose

Truong, V., Bhandari, B. R., Howes, T. and Adhikari, B. (2004). Glass transition behaviour of fructose. International Journal of Food Science And Technology, 39 (5), 569-578. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2004.00817.x

Glass transition behaviour of fructose

Past funding

  • 2006 - 2011
    Engineering particles for pharmaceutical formulation
    Pfizer Pty Ltd
    Open grant

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

Completed supervision

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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