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

165 works between 1990 and 2025
All (165) Journal Article (115) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (48)

101 - 120 of 165 works

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

2003

Journal Article

In situ characterization of stickiness of sugar-rich foods using a linear actuator driven stickiness testing device

Adhikari, B., Howes, T., Bhandari, B. R. and Truong, V. (2003). In situ characterization of stickiness of sugar-rich foods using a linear actuator driven stickiness testing device. Journal of Food Engineering, 58 (1), 11-22. doi: 10.1016/S0260-8774(02)00328-X

In situ characterization of stickiness of sugar-rich foods using a linear actuator driven stickiness testing device

2003

Conference Publication

The use of polymeric stabilisers in the control of particle size and morphology in suspension polymerization

He, Y., Howes, T. and Litster, J. D. (2003). The use of polymeric stabilisers in the control of particle size and morphology in suspension polymerization. 31st Australasian Chemical Engineering Conference CHEMECA 2003, Adelaide, Australia, 28 September - 1 October 2003. Australia: The Institute of Engineers, Australia.

The use of polymeric stabilisers in the control of particle size and morphology in suspension polymerization

2003

Conference Publication

What does a mean size mean?

Neumann, L., White, E.T. and Howes, T. (2003). What does a mean size mean?. American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting 2003, San Francisco, CA, USA, 16 - 21 November 2003. New York, USA: American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

What does a mean size mean?

2003

Journal Article

Surface stickiness of drops of carbohydrate and organic acid solutions during convective drying: Experiments and modeling

Adhikari, B., Howes, T., Bhandari, B. R. and Troung, V. (2003). Surface stickiness of drops of carbohydrate and organic acid solutions during convective drying: Experiments and modeling. Drying Technology, 21 (5), 839-873. doi: 10.1081/DRT-120021689

Surface stickiness of drops of carbohydrate and organic acid solutions during convective drying: Experiments and modeling

2003

Journal Article

Use of confocal scanning laser microscopy to measure the concentrations of aerial and penetrative hyphae during growth of Rhizopus oligosporus on a solid surface

Nopharatana, M., Mitchell, D. A. and Howes, T. (2003). Use of confocal scanning laser microscopy to measure the concentrations of aerial and penetrative hyphae during growth of Rhizopus oligosporus on a solid surface. Biotechnology And Bioengineering, 84 (1), 71-77. doi: 10.1002/bit.10752

Use of confocal scanning laser microscopy to measure the concentrations of aerial and penetrative hyphae during growth of Rhizopus oligosporus on a solid surface

2003

Conference Publication

Cold and Motivational - A Heat Transfer Modelling Project

Hardin, M. T., Howes, T. and Papantoniou, M. (2003). Cold and Motivational - A Heat Transfer Modelling Project. CHEMCA 2003 Products and Processes for the 21st Century, Adelaide, South Australia, 28 September - 1 October 2003. Adelaide, Australia: University of Adelaide - Department of Chemical Engineering.

Cold and Motivational - A Heat Transfer Modelling Project

2003

Conference Publication

Modelling imperfect mixing in non-aerated reactors of the activiated sludge process

Jansons, K., Howes, T. and Lant, P. A. (2003). Modelling imperfect mixing in non-aerated reactors of the activiated sludge process. 7th Annual Environmental Research Conference EERE 2003, Victoria, Australia, 1-4 December 2003. Australia: BCH Printing.

Modelling imperfect mixing in non-aerated reactors of the activiated sludge process

2003

Conference Publication

What does a mean size mean

Neumann, L., White, E. T. and Howes, T. (2003). What does a mean size mean. 31st Australasian Chemical Engineering Conference CHEMECA 2003, Adelaide, Australia, 28 September - 1 October 2003. Australia: The Institute of Engineers, Australia.

What does a mean size mean

2003

Journal Article

Characterization of the surface stickiness of fructose-maltodextrin solutions during drying

Adhikari, B., Howes, T., Bhandari, B. R. and Truong, V. (2003). Characterization of the surface stickiness of fructose-maltodextrin solutions during drying. Drying Technology, 21 (1), 17-34. doi: 10.1081/DRT-120017281

Characterization of the surface stickiness of fructose-maltodextrin solutions during drying

2003

Journal Article

Use of confocal microscopy to follow the development of penetrative hyphae during growth of Rhizopus oligosporus in an artificial solid-state fermentation system

Nopharatana, M., Mitchell, D. A. and Howes, T. (2003). Use of confocal microscopy to follow the development of penetrative hyphae during growth of Rhizopus oligosporus in an artificial solid-state fermentation system. Biotechnology And Bioengineering, 81 (4), 438-447. doi: 10.1002/bit.10482

Use of confocal microscopy to follow the development of penetrative hyphae during growth of Rhizopus oligosporus in an artificial solid-state fermentation system

2003

Conference Publication

Development of simplified flow models from CFD simulations

Howes, T., Brannock, M. W. D. and Corre, G. (2003). Development of simplified flow models from CFD simulations. Third International Conference on CFD in the Minerals and Pros, CSIRO, 10-12 December 2003. Melbourne, Australia: CSIRO.

Development of simplified flow models from CFD simulations

2003

Journal Article

Effect of lifter design on drying performance in rotary dryers

Driver, J., Hardin, M. T., Howes, T. and Palmer, G. (2003). Effect of lifter design on drying performance in rotary dryers. Drying Technology, 21 (2), 369-381. doi: 10.1081/DRT-120017756

Effect of lifter design on drying performance in rotary dryers

2002

Journal Article

Physical aging of amorphous fructose

Truong, V., Bhandari, B. R., Howes, T. and Adhikari, B. (2002). Physical aging of amorphous fructose. Journal of Food Science, 67 (8), 3011-3018. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2002.tb08852.x

Physical aging of amorphous fructose

2002

Journal Article

Long term monitoring of estuarine water quality: Brisbane River turbidity

Howes, Tony, Lemckert, Charles and Moss, Andrew (2002). Long term monitoring of estuarine water quality: Brisbane River turbidity. Water, 29 (6), 37-39.

Long term monitoring of estuarine water quality: Brisbane River turbidity

2002

Book Chapter

Analytical model for the prediction of glass transition temperature of food systems

Truong, V., Bhandari, B. R., Howes, T. and Adhikari, B. P. (2002). Analytical model for the prediction of glass transition temperature of food systems. Amorphous Food and Pharmaceutical Systems. (pp. 30-47) edited by Harry Levine. United Kingdom: Royal Society of Chemistry.

Analytical model for the prediction of glass transition temperature of food systems

2002

Journal Article

Axial mixing in rotating drums using magnetic resonance imaging using bran as a model for solid state fermentations

Hardin, M. T., Howes, T., Mitchell, D. A. and Whittaker, A. K. (2002). Axial mixing in rotating drums using magnetic resonance imaging using bran as a model for solid state fermentations. Biotechnology Letters, 24 (7), 521-525. doi: 10.1023/A:1014843515303

Axial mixing in rotating drums using magnetic resonance imaging using bran as a model for solid state fermentations

2002

Journal Article

On the effect of tracer density on axial dispersion in a batch oscillatory baffled column

Ni, X. W., de Gelicourt, Y. S., Neil, J. and Howes, T. (2002). On the effect of tracer density on axial dispersion in a batch oscillatory baffled column. Chemical Engineering Journal, 85 (1), 17-25. doi: 10.1016/S1385-8947(01)00137-1

On the effect of tracer density on axial dispersion in a batch oscillatory baffled column

2002

Journal Article

Surface stickiness of low molecular weight sugars

Adhikari, B. P., Howes, T., Bhandari, B. R. and Truong, V. (2002). Surface stickiness of low molecular weight sugars. Food Industry Journal, 5 (2), 112-124.

Surface stickiness of low molecular weight sugars

2002

Journal Article

Long term monitoring of estuarine water quality: Brisbane River Turbidity

Howes, T., Lemckert, C. and Moss, A. (2002). Long term monitoring of estuarine water quality: Brisbane River Turbidity. Water, 29 (6), 37-46.

Long term monitoring of estuarine water quality: Brisbane River Turbidity

Past funding

  • 2017 - 2018
    Increasing student engagement in active learning through feedback on pre-reading quizzes
    UQ Teaching Innovation Grants
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Fuel tank fluid response to ballistic impact
    Commonwealth Department of Defence Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Fuel tank fluid response to ballistic Impact
    Department Defence - Defence Science & Technology
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Gold Coast Desalination Plant Hydrocratic Project
    Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority trading as Seqwater
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Surface Modification of Spray-dried Powders by Surface-Active Proteins
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2011
    Engineering particles for pharmaceutical formulation
    Pfizer Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Predicting Lyngbya blooms: impact of iron transformation kinetics on flux, distribution and rate of uptake of bioavailable iron and phosphorous
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Self-assembly of gelling biopolymer particles
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005
    UQ TRAVEL AWARDS CAT2-05
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    SEAS - Modelling, monitoring and management interfacing for waterways
    CRC for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Prediction of Stickiness in Dairy Products Using Spray Drying
    Dairy Ingredients Group of Australia Ltd.
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Understanding of structure development in drying droplets through the stickiness paradigm
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Receiving Water Quality Model Custodianship
    Brisbane City Council
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Application Of Jet Break-Up Emulsification For The Production Of Uniform-Sized Dispersions As Templates For The Preparation Of Particulate
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2005
    Improving biological nitrogen removal by enhanced mixing in non-aerated bioreactors
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Development of instruments to measure stickiness of solid particulate food materials.
    University of Queensland Small Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Extension of the batch droplet breakup/coalescence model to the more industrially relevant continuous flow case; CFD modelling work; Particle Image Velocimetry hardware and software
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 1999
    A new approach for wastewater pond design using computational fluid dynamics
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Glass Transition Temperature of a Drying Droplet with Variable Composition and its Implication to the Spray Drying fo Sugar-Rich Foods
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Influence of glass transition temperature of sugars and organic acids on the spray drying process
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Jet breakup and droplet formation studies under microgravity and high gravity
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Computational fluid dynamics for improved design of wastewater ponds
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Application of high resolution electric impedance tomography for measurement of solids concentation distribution in a pulsed baffled colum
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Experimental and numerical studies of capillary wave phenemena in low velocity jets
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1996
    Baffle design for solid-state fermentation in rotary drum fermenters
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1995
    Exprimental and numerical studies of single and multiple fluid droplet production
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Tony Howes is:
Available for supervision

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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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