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CPE Faculty and Staff

Colin S. Howatt III

Colin S. Howat P.E (Chip)

Associate Professor

B. S., Chemical Engineering, University of Kansas
M.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Kansas
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Kansas

Room: 4148B Learned Hall & Kurata Thermodynamics Laboratory
Phone: (785) 864-3860
Fax: (785) 864-4967
E-mail: cshowat@ku.edu

Research Interests

My primary research interests are concerned with the design and operation of chemical process units. The first fundamental aspect of my work involves the assembly of the database needed to design new processes for separating azeotropic and isomeric mixtures and for removing volatile organic chemicals from wastewater contaminated with organic solids. The operation-oriented aspect of my work involves the development of numerical methods to analyze properly industrial plant operation, to determine plant sensitivity to the fundamental data upon which it is based and to predict the reliability of a process to meet its objectives subject to uncertainties in the principal parameters.

Separating azeotropic and isomeric mixtures on an industrial scale is costly. Sound phase equilibria data are required for the accurate development of economic process designs. The measurement and analysis of the phase equilibria with the experimental designs soundly rooted in industrial end-use criteria is one aspect of my work.

The separation of the volatile organic chemicals (VOC's) from wastewater and from water bearing latex streams is becoming environmentally important. This separation is particularly difficult due to the presence of organic and inorganic solids in the wastewater. Development in two areas is required. First, fundamental measurements in the infinite dilute region are required. Second, a thermodynamic model capable of describing the adsorbed, liquid and vapor phases suitable for process design applications is required. The experimental effort required to assemble the data base and to evaluate the thermodynamic model is supported by equipment capable of measuring temperatures to 0.01K, pressures to 0.01 kPA and mole fractions to 1 part in 1000 at 1e-4 mole fraction.

The control and on-line optimization of an industrial chemical process unit require an accurate mathematical model of the process. Plant performance analysis is the proper identification, rectification, reconciliation and interpretation of plant operating data. The goal of the analysis is to improve operations, process control, safety and profitability. The development of a proper plant performance analysis procedure firmly rooted in statistics, recognizing plant measurement uncertainty, is another aspect of my research work. The statistical and theoretical develop is supported by having a fully operational pilot plant in the laboratory facilities.

The uncertainty in the design and operation of a chemical plant is related to the uncertainty in the fundamental database that was used to design the plant. The design-data relationship had received little research attention even though entire plants as well as individual pieces of equipment have failed to operate as designed because of uncertainties in the database. Proper sensitivity analysis in the area of computer-aided design should become a part of the process design procedure. Further, process operating parameters along with uncertainty in the underlying data base affect the reliability of process units to meet capacity, recovery and purity requirements. Estimation of reliability is hampered by the complexity of process simulation mathematics. Development of sensitivity analysis and design reliability criteria is another aspect of my research interests.

My research program is founded upon a background in phase equilibria, statistics and industrial process design; and it addresses primarily industrial needs with the goal of improving engineering technology and plant economics.

Links to Research Group(s)

Kurata Thermodynamics Laboratory

Publication List:

Publications (Refereed)

  • Howat, C.S. III, and Swift, G.W., 1980. A New Correlation of Propene-Propane Vapor Liquid Equilibrium Data and Application of the Correlation to Determine Optimum Fractionator Operating Pressure in the Manufacture of Polymerization Grade Propene, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Process Design and Development, 19(2): 318-323.

  • Shanker, G., Howat, C.S. III, Torres, R.R., and Swift, G.W., 1981. Vapor-Liquid Equilibria for 2-Methyl-1-butene and 2-Methyl-1,3-butadiene at 310.93, 316.48, and 323.03K, Fluid Phase Equilibria, 5: 305-321.

  • Ezekwe, J.N., Howat, C.S. III, and Swift, G.W., 1981. Vapor-Liquid Equilibria for the Binary System: 2-Methylbutene-2 and 2-Methyl-1,3-butadiene at 310.93, 316.48 and 322.04K. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 7: 75-85.

  • Howat, C.S., and Swift, G.W., 1983. A Procedure for the Design of Experiments in Fluid Phase Equilibria. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 14: 289-301.

  • Howat, C.S., and Swift, G.W., 1984. Vapor-Liquid Phase Equilibria for the Isoprene-n-Pentane Binary System from 300 to 330K. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 21: 113-134.

  • Howat, C.S., and Swift, G.W., 1985. Vapor-Liquid Phase Equilibria for the Binaries Isoprene-Dicyclopentadiene and n-Pentane-Dicyclopentadiene at 313 and 323K. Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, 30(3): 281-285.

  • Howat, C.S., 1986. The Transient Total Pressure Method: An Analysis. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 29: 273-282.

  • MacDonald, R.J., and Howat, C.S., 1988. Data Reconciliation and Parameter Estimation in Plant Performance Analysis. AIChE Journal, 34(1): 1-8.

  • Howat, C.S., and Swift, G.W., 1988. Cyclopentadiene-Dicyclopentadiene Phase Equilibria and Reaction Rate Behavior Using the Transient Total Pressure Method. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 27: 1487-1493.

  • Laird, D.G., and Howat, C.S., 1990. Vapor-Liquid Phase Equilibria and Molar Volumes of the Butadiene-Acetonitrile System from 300 to 335K. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 60: 173-190.

  • Muir, R.F., and Howat, C.S., 1995. Predicting Solid-Liquid Equilibria. McCetta, J.J., and Weisenmantel, G.E. ed. Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing and Design, 51, Marcel Dekkar, Inc., New York: 427-435.

    Hartwick, R.P., and Howat, C.S., 1995. Infinite Dilution Activity Coefficients of Acetone in Water: A New Experimental Method and Verification. Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, 40(4):738-745.

  • Howat, J.N., and Howat, C.S., 1996. Infinite Dilution Activity Coefficients and Miscibility Using a Modified Static Total Pressure Method. Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, 41(5): 977-986.

Publications (Non-Refereed)


  • Muir, R.F., and Howat, C.S., 1982. Predicting Solid-Liquid Equilibria Data from Vapor-Liquid Data. Chemical Engineering, February 22: 89-92.


  • Todd, J.N., and Howat, C.S., 1988. Sensitivity of Supercritical Fluid Extraction Process Design to Phase Equilibria and PVT Data., International Symposium on Supercritical Fluids Proceedings, Volume 1., 185-192.



  • Howat, C. S., 1993. Race Mechanics Turn Professional! Toe Clips, USCF Mechanics Advisory Council, 2(1): 8.



  • Sul, B.S., and Howat, C.S., 1992. Tubular Tire Performance Analysis. Toe Clips, USCF Mechanics Advisory Council, 1(2): 7-9.



  • Howat, C.S., 1993. Overview: Quick Release Performance Project. Toe Clips, USCF Mechanics Advisory Council, 2(1): 6-7. (Research Note)



  • Sul, B.S., and Howat, C.S., 1993. Tubular Tire Performance Analysis. Toe Clips, USCF Mechanics Advisory Council, 2(1): 3-5. (Research Note)



  • Sul, B. S., and Howat, C.S., 1994. Ten Rules of Thumb for Mounting Tubular Tires. Toe Clips, 3(1).


  • Jones, C.C., and Howat, C.S., 1995. Tubular Tires: Adhesives and Practice. Cycling USA,
    Part 1: XVII(8): 9.
    Part 2: XVII(9): 16.
    Part 3: XVII(10): 18.
    Part 4: XVII(11): 23.

  • Howat, C.S., 1995. USA National Team Full-Shop Support at 1995 UCI World Championships. NORBA News, XII(11): 23.


  • Howat, C.S., 1997. Tubular Tires: Adhesives and Practice; Part 5: Curing Time. Cycling USA, XIX(4): 31.


  • Howat, C.S., 1997. Tubular Tires: Adhesives and Practice; Part 6: Adhesive Performance at Higher Temperatures. Cycling USA, XIX(5): 31.


  • Howat, C.S., 1998. Thoughts on Teaching Design Part 6: Process Simulation in Chemical Engineering Design: A Potential Impediment to, Instead of a Catalyst for, Meeting Course Objectives. Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Seattle, Washington.


  • Howat, C.S., 1999. It’s All New to My Students. Reflections, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. (invited)

Technical Presentations

  • Howat, C.S. III (presenter), 1980. Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium for the Binary System of 2-Methylbutene-1 and Isoprene. Kurata Thermodynamics Seminar, Lawrence, Kansas.


  • Howat, C.S. III, and Muir, R.F. (presenter), 1980. Prediction of Solid/Liquid Equilibria from Vapor/Liquid Equilibria. AIChE Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois.


  • Torres, R. (presenter), Taborga, R., Howat, C.S. III and Swift, G.W., 1981. Phase Equilibria in the Binary Systems Comprised of n-Butane and Acetonitrile, 1-Butene and Acetonitrile and 1,3-Butadiene and Acetonitrile. 7th International Congress of Chemical Engineering, Chemical Equipment Design and Automation, Prague, Czechoslovakia.


  • Howat, C.S. (presenter) and Swift, G.W., 1983. A Procedure for the Design of Experiments in Fluid Phase Equilibria. Third International Conference on Fluid Properties and Phase Equilibria for Chemical Process Design, Callaway Gardens, Georgia.


  • Howat, C.S. (presenter), 1986. An Analysis of an Experimental Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Phase Equilibria and Reaction Behavior. Fourth International Conference on Fluid Properties and Phase Equilibria for Chemical Process Design. LO-Skølen, Helsingør, Denmark.


  • Howat, C.S. (presenter), 1987. Plant Performance Analysis or What's Really Going on in the Iron & Steel? Kansas City AIChE October Meeting, Overland Park, Kansas.


  • Todd, J.N. (presenter), and Howat, C.S., 1988. Sensitivity of Supercritical Fluid Extraction Process Design to Phase Equilibria and PVT Data. International Symposium on Supercritical Fluids, Nice, France.


  • Howat, C.S., 1988. Meeting Society's Demands: Future Chemical Engineering Education. October Kansas City AIChE Meeting, Kansas City, Missouri.


  • Todd, J.N., and Howat, C.S. (presenter), 1988. Frontiers of Chemical Engineering Design: Designing with Uncertainty in Supercritical Fluid Extraction Processing. Kansas City All-Day Meeting, Kansas City, Missouri.


  • Anderson, T.M., Mark, L.M. (presenter), and Howat, C.S., 1989. Purification of Butadiene Using Thermally Coupled Distillation. AIChE Spring National Meeting, Houston, Texas.


  • Howat, C.S., 1991. The Gulf in Student/Professor Communications or Why Don't Students Learn What I Teach? Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Graduate Seminar, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.


  • Howat, C.S., 1993. Design to Plant Performance: A Discussion of Failure. Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Graduate Seminar, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.


  • Hartwick, R.P., and Howat, C.S., 1993. The Contribution of Phase Equilibria to the Uncertainty in Volatile Organic Chemical Removal from Waste Water Using Distillation. Mid-America AIChE Regional Conference, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.


  • Hohn, K.A., and Howat, C.S., 1994. Development of VOC-Water Phase Equilibria Data Base. Mid-America AIChE Regional Conference, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma (Third Place Award).


  • Howat, C.S., 1994. Hazards Analysis of Bicycling: Consumer and Professional Implications. Lawrence Kiwanas Club, Lawrence, Kansas.


  • Hartwick, R.P., and Howat, C.S., 1994. Measurement of Infinite Dilution Behavior of VOC's in Water: A New Experimental Method and Experimental Verification. Paper 59d, AIChE Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California.


  • Sharp, W.T., and Howat, C.S., 1994. Distillation Constraint Boundaries and Reliability Estimation for the Removal of Acetone and Benzene from Waste Water. Paper 170i, AIChE Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California (First Place, AIChE National Separations Division Contest).


  • Howat, C.S., 1994. The Rose and Design: Teaching Creativity in Chemical Engineering Design. Paper 175c, AIChE Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California.


  • Collins, J.L., and Howat, C.S., 1995. Volatile Organic Chemical - Solid - Water Phase Equilibria: Thermodynamic Model Development and Analysis. Mid-America AIChE Regional Conference, University of Missouri - Rolla, Rolla, Missouri.


  • Alvers, R.C., and Howat, C.S., 1995. Automatic Data Acquisition in Plant Performance Analysis: Circuit Synthesis. Mid-America AIChE Regional Conference, University of Missouri - Rolla, Rolla, Missouri.


  • Hey, E., and Howat C.S., 1995. Plant Performance Analysis: Experimental Determination of HETP vs. Percent of Flood. Mid-America AIChE Regional Conference, University of Missouri - Rolla, Rolla, Missouri.


  • Howat, C.S., 1995. Inherent Bias in Plant Performance Analysis in the Chemical Process Industries. Paper 20e, AIChE Summer National Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts. (Invited Presentation)


  • Howat, J.N., and Howat, C.S., 1995. Measurement of Infinite Dilution Activity Coefficients and Miscibility Limits Using a Modified Static Total Pressure Method. Paper 33e, AIChE Annual Meeting, Miami Beach, Florida.


  • Swift, G.W., and Howat, C.S., 1995. An Argument for Integrating Problem Solving Across the Curriculum: Roles of the AIChE Design Contest Problem and Team Work in Academe. Paper 236b, AIChE Annual Meeting, Miami Beach, Florida.


  • Howat, C.S., 1995. Plant & Environmental Safety: A Course Focused on Reducing Risk and Accepting Uncertainty. Paper 245g, AIChE Annual Meeting, Miami Beach, Florida.


  • Howat, C.S., 1995. Estimation of Design Reliability Using Constraint Boundary Mapping. Paper 173v, AIChE Annual Meeting, Miami Beach, Florida.


  • Howat, C.S., 1996. Measurement of Infinite Dilution Activity Coefficients and Miscibility Limits Using a Modified Total Pressure Method: Volatile Organic Chemical Phase Equilibria Research at KTL. Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Graduate Seminar, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.


  • Howat, C.S., 1996. Thoughts on Chemical Engineering Design Instruction: Design Objectives, Student State, Root Causes and a Proposed Solution. Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Graduate Seminar, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.


  • Howat, C.S., 1996. Incorporating Problem Solving Skill Development into the Artistic Approach to Chemical Engineering Design. Presentation at the ASEE Midwest Section Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma.


  • Cicerone, D.S., Howat, C.S., 1996. Plant Performance Analysis Experiments in Distillation for Undergraduate Education. Paper 230g, AIChE Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois.


  • Howat, C.S., 1997. Thoughts on Teaching Design: Distribution of Lecture Notes & Course Materials Using the World Wide Web in Chemical Engineering Design. School of Engineering Teaching Effectiveness Seminar, University of Kansas. (invited)


  • Howat, C.S., 1997. Thoughts on Teaching Design Part 4: Integration of Process Simulation Software into Capstone Design. Presentation at the ASEE Midwest Section Conference, Columbia, Missouri.


  • Howat, C.S., 1997. Thoughts on Chemical Engineering Design Instruction: Objectives, Approach, Performance, Examples. Presentation to Fall 1997 Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Advisory Board Meeting, Lawrence, Kansas.


  • Howat, C.S., 1997. Thoughts on Teaching Design Part 5: Combining Process Synthesis and Problem-Solving Methodology in the Capstone Design Course. Paper 136d, AIChE Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, California.


  • Howat, C.S., 1998. Thoughts on Teaching Design Part 6: Process Simulation in Chemical Engineering Design: A Potential Impediment to, Instead of a Catalyst for, Meeting Course Objectives. ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Seattle, Washington.


  • Howat, C.S., 1998. Plant & Environmental Safety: Risk and Uncertainty Analysis. A Course Beyond Steady-State and Desired Performance. 1998 Process Plant Safety Symposium, Session 11, Houston, Texas.


  • Howat, C.S., 1998. Thermodynamics Rules! or The Process Design and Analysis are only as Sound as the Data Base. Presented at the September Kansas City AIChE Meeting, Kansas City, Missouri.


  • Howat, C.S., 1998. The Four Enemies to Becoming an Engineer of Knowledge. Presented at the Tau Beta Pi Initiation Dinner, Lawrence, Kansas.


  • Murthakrishan, V., and Howat, C.S., 1998. Multicomponent Batch Distillation Model Discrimination in Plant Performance Analysis. Paper 131j, AIChE Annual Meeting, Miami Beach, Florida.


  • Howat, C.S., 1998. Use of Steady-State Process Simulator in Process Safety Instruction. Paper 173f, AIChE Annual Meeting, Miami Beach, Florida.


  • Howat, C.S., 1999. Safety, Team Work & Ethics: The Chemical Engineering Curriculum & The ‘New’ ABET Requirements. Presentation to the 1999 Spring Advisory Board Meeting, Lawrence, Kansas.


  • Howat, C.S., 1999. Plant Performance Analysis: Overcoming Plant and Design Mythologies. Presentated at the October Kansas City AIChE Meeting, Kansas City, Missouri.


  • Liew, M.H., and Howat, C.S., 1999. Infinite Dilution Activity Coefficients and Solubility Limits of C5-Hydrocarbons in Water. Paper 84l, AIChE Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas.


  • Harishachandra, S., and Howat, C.S. 1999. Exposure of Undergraduate Students to Plant Performance Analysis Using Continuous Distillation Operation. Paper 149d, AIChE Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas.


  • Srinivasan, S., and Howat, C.S., 1999. Optimization of Propylene Purification System. Paper 8d, AIChE Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas.


  • Howat, C.S., 1999. Guidelines for Approaching the AIChE National Design Contest Problem, or, How to Keep My Social Life and Sanity. AIChE Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas.


  • Howat, C.S., 1999. Capstone Design: It’s Role in Undergraduate Education and Professional Training. Paper 153, AIChE Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas.

Reports

  • Sul, B.S., and Howat, C.S., 1992. Tubular Tire Performance Analysis, Status Report 1. Report to the United States Cycling Federation, Colorado Springs, Colorado.


  • Sul, B.S., and Howat, C.S., 1992. Tubular Tire Performance Analysis, Status Report 2: Preliminary Static Tests Subsequent to Status Report 1. Report to the United States Cycling Federation, Colorado Springs, Colorado.


  • Howat, C.S., 1992. Analysis of Apparatus to Measure Performance of Bicycle Shock Absorber Oil. Report to Barnett Bicycle Institute, Colorado Springs, Colorado.


  • Howat, C.S., 1992. Job Description for Race Mechanics. Report to the United States Cycling Federation, Colorado Springs, Colorado.


  • Howat, C.S., 1992. Job Description for Race Mechanics (Fundamentals). Report to the United States Cycling Federation, Colorado Springs, Colorado.


  • Howat, C.S., 1992. Race Mechanics Clinic - Manual. Report to the United States Cycling Federation, Colorado Springs, Colorado.


  • Sul, B.S., and Howat, C.S., 1993. Tubular Tire Performance Analysis, Status Report 3. Report to United States Cycling Federation, Colorado Springs, Colorado.


  • Howat, C.S., Klocek, D., and Mills, D., 1993. Status Report 1: Quick Release Performance Analysis. Report to the United States Cycling Federation and the Barnett Bicycle Institute, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Books


  • Howat, C.S., editor, 1993. USCF Mechanics' Handbook, First Edition. United States Cycling Federation, Colorado Springs, Colorado.


  • Howat, C.S., editor, 1994. USCF Mechanics' Handbook, Second Edition. United States Cycling Federation, Colorado Springs, Colorado.


  • Howat, C.S., 1997. Section 30: Analysis of Plant Performance, Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook, 7th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York.


  • Howat, C.S., editor, 1997. USA Cycling Mechanics' Handbook, 1997 Edition. USA Cycling, Colorado Springs, Colorado.


  • Howat, C.S., editor, 1998. USA Cycling Mechanics' Handbook, 1998 Edition. USA Cycling, Colorado Springs, Colorado.


  • Howat, C.S., editor, 2000. USA Cycling Mechanics' Handbook, 2000 Edition. USA Cycling, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Patents

  • Howat, C.S., 1979. Acetylenes Removal from Diolefin Streams by Extractive Distillation. U.S. Patent 4,134,794.