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CSET Faculty - Vassilios Tzouanas

Dr. Tzouanas

Vassilios Tzouanas

Department Chair & Professor

Office: N704C
713-226-5272
tzouanasv@uhd.edu

Scholarships

Vassilios Tzouanas is a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Technology at the University of Houston–Downtown, in Houston, Texas. He also serves as Department Chairman. He received all his degrees in chemical engineering and obtained his Ph.D. from Lehigh University. He has worked in the industry for 19 years where he held technical and management positions with major operating companies as well as process control technology development companies. Since 2010, he has been with UHD where he teaches university courses in process control, modeling and simulation, process design and operation, applied thermodynamics and heat transfer, numerical methods, engineering economics and sustainable development. Dr. Tzouanas' research interests include process modeling, simulation and design, process control, and renewable energy systems. Dr. Tzouanas is an ABET Program Evaluator (PEV) for Engineering and Engineering Technology programs. He is also member of AIChE and ASEE. He has served as director for ASEE's Engineering Technology Council (ETC) for the period 2017-2021. Currently, he is co-chair of ETC’s Engineering Technology National Forum (ETNF).

  • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering/Process Control, Lehigh University
  • Masters of Science in Chemical Engineering/Process Control, University of Alberta
  • Diploma in Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University​

ENGR 4328 - Senior Project in Control and Instrumentation
ENGR 4402 - Process Design and Operation
ENGR 4406 - Process Control Systems
ENGR 3410 - Process Modeling and Simulation
ENGR 3307 - Applied Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
ENGR 3302 – Engineering Economics
ENGR 2411 - Modern Methods of Engineering Analysis
ENGR 1400 - PC Applications in Engineering
SUST 3301 – Renewable Energy Systems
ELET 6305 - Analytical Methods in Engineering Technology (at UH)
ELET 4304 - Modern Control Systems (at UH)

Work History

  • Professor and Chair, Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology, University of Houston-Downtown, 2020 – present.
  • Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology, University of Houston-Downtown, 2018 – 2020.
  • Associate Professor and Assistant Chair, Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology, University of Houston-Downtown, 2015 – 2018.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology, University of Houston-Downtown, 2013 – 2015.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Engineering Technology, University of Houston-Downtown, 2010 – 2013.
  • Regional Manager of Control Systems Engineering, Lyondell Chemical, 2006 - 2009.
  • Consulting Engineer of Control Systems Engineering, Lyondell Chemical, 1999 - 2006.
  • Staff Engineer, Project Manager and Technical Leader, Amoco, 1996 - 1999.

Publications

Note: Student's names are in bold.

  1. L. Morano and V. Tzouanas, “A Curriculum in Urban Agriculture and Sustainability and Lessons Learned", in proceedings of 2020 Annual ASEE Conference, Paper ID #30585,  virtual conference, June 2020 (best session paper award).
  2. V. Tzouanas, L. Morano, H. Pham, A. Khatiwada, J. Lopez, “Bioreactor Design, Automation and Optimization –  A Multidisciplinary Approach", in proceedings of 2020 Annual ASEE Conference, Paper ID # 30574, virtual conference, June 2020.
  3. Tzouanas, V., “Data Science and Traditional Engineering and Technology Programs – How to Improve Operational Excellence", Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration 2020, Orlando, FL, January 2020.
  4. G. Wood, S. Diaz, V. Valencia, L. Morano and V. Tzouanas, “Solar Powered Aquaponics: Modeling Real World Solutions through Engineering Technology", in proceedings of 2019 Annual ASEE Conference, Tampa, FL, June 2019.
  5. L. Morano and V. Tzouanas, "Urban Agricultural and Sustainability Program at Houston's Downtown University: Combining New Curriculum, Hands-on Projects, and a Hurricane", Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems and Community Development, Vol. 7 No. 4, 2017.
  6. J. Gillmore, S. Patterson, A. Alizadeh, V. Tzouanas and L. Morano, "Sustainable Development and Engineering Technology", in proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Paper No. 18960, June 2017.
  7. M. Ghossein, L. De Los Santos, Merarz, O. and V. Tzouanas, "A Capstone and Design Project on Process Automation: Technical Details and Student Learnings", in proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Paper No. 18956, June 2017.
  8. V. Tzouanas and S.E. Falar, "Design of Practical PID Controllers Subject to Constraints",  in proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Paper No. 16567,  New Orleans, LA, June 26-29, 2016.
  9. C. Tzouanas, M. Le,  and V. Tzouanas, "Tuning of Cascade Control Structures Subject to Process Constraints", International Journal of Modern Engineering, Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 37-44, Spring/Summer 2015.
  10. Minh Le, J. Chahine & V. Tzouanas, "Design and Automation of a Zero Energy House", International Journal of Engineering Research and Development, vol. 10, Issue 8, pp. 58-67, August 2014.
  11. C. Tzouanas  and V. Tzouanas,  "Optimal Tuning of PI Controllers subject to Process Constraints – Experimental Evaluation", International Journal of Modern Engineering, pp. 15-21, Spring/Summer 2014.
  12. J. Chahine, M. Ha, V. Hem, and V. Tzouanas, Design and Automation of a Zero Energy Model House (ZEH), in proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Paper No. 6648,  Indianapolis, IN, June 15-18, 2014.
  13. C. Tzouanas  and V. Tzouanas,  "Optimal Tuning of PID Controllers subject to Process Constraints", International Journal of Modern Engineering, pp. 70-80., Fall/Winter 2013.
  14. V. Tzouanas, S. Peter, M. Stevenson and T. Doan, "Modeling, Simulation and Control of Temperature and Level in a Multivariable Water Tank Process", International Journal of Engineering Research and Development, Vol. 8, Issue 6, pp. 1-11, September 2013.
  15. S. Peter, T. Doan, M. Stevenson, and V. Tzouanas, "Design and Control of a Multivariable Water Tank Process", in proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Paper No. 6648,  Atlanta, GA, June 12-16, 2013.
  16. M. Phung, E. Lawrian and V. Tzouanas, "Design and Control of a Twin Tank Process", in proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Paper No. 3507, San Antonio, TX, June 10-13, 2012.
  17. C. Davis, W. Hickman and V. Tzouanas, "Design and Control of an Air Heater Process", in proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Paper No. 3506, San Antonio, TX, June 10-13, 2012.
  18. C. Tzouanas and V. Tzouanas, "Study of a Photo-Voltaic (PV) System Using Excel: Economic Analysis, Modeling, Simulation and Optimization", in proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Paper No. 3198, San Antonio, TX, June 10-13, 2012.
  19. F. Manzo, V. Tzouanas, E. Barbieri, "Modeling, Simulation and Control of Heat Integrated Distillation Columns: A Case Study",  in proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Paper No. 3500, San Antonio, TX, June 10-13, 2012.
  20. E. Barbieri and V. Tzouanas, "MS in Engineering Technology: Examples from Control Systems", in proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Paper No. 3290,  San Antonio, TX, June 10-13, 2012.
  21. C. Tzouanas and V. Tzouanas, "Study of a Photo-Voltaic (PV) System Using Excel: Economic Analysis, Modeling, Simulation and Optimization of a Photo-Voltaic (PV) System", in proceedings of ASEE GSW Conference, El Paso, TX, April 4-6, 2012.
  22. Tzouanas, V., "Process Design and Operation for Engineering Technology Students", in proceedings of World Engineering Education Conference, Paper No. 274, pp. 953-959, Lisbon, Portugal, September 27 – October 4, 2011.
  23. Tzouanas, V., "A New Course on Process Design and Operation in an Engineering Technology Program", in proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Paper No. 1851, Vancouver, CA, June 26-29, 2011.
  24. Tzouanas, V. and Campbell, L., "The Teamwork Conundrum: What Should be Taught and How Can We Assess Student Learning in Engineering Technology?", in proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Paper No. 2505, Vancouver, CA, June 26-29, 2011.
  25. Tzouanas, V., Alvarado, J. and Cadena, S., "Introducing and Teaching a New Course on Process Design and Operation in an ET Program", in proceedings of ASEE-GSW Conference, Paper No. T2A-1, Houston, TX, March 2011.
  26. Tzouanas, V. and Alvarado, J., "Experiential Learning from Teaching a Senior Level Process Control Course in an ET Program", in proceedings of ASEE-CIEC Conference, ETD 457, Paper No. 5, San Antonio, TX, February 2011.
  27. Rickard, K., Tzouanas, V., Wissner, M., Arman, T., Matthews, E., Gopalakrisnan, M., Montgomery, G., Ferguson, T., Kelly, T., Ye, N., Ayala, J. "Some Key Issues on a Successful Application of Real Time Optimization System to an Ethylene Plant", AIChE 2007 Spring EPC, April 2007.
  28. Tzouanas, V. and Martin D.E., "Application of SAMPLES to Product Quality Prediction", Annual AIChE Meeting, Paper No. 231f, San Francisco, November 1994.
  29. Tzouanas, V., Luyben, W.L., Georgakis, C. and Ungar, L.H., "Expert Multivariable Control, Part I: The General Structure and Design Methodology", Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 382 - 389, 1990.
  30. Tzouanas, V., Luyben, W.L., Georgakis, C. and Ungar, L.H., "Expert Multivariable Control, Part II: Application to Two Product Distillation Columns", Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 389 - 403, 1990.
  31. Tzouanas, V., Luyben, W.L., Georgakis, C. and Ungar, L.H., "Expert Multivariable Control, Part III: Extension to Three Product Sidestream Distillation Columns", Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 404 - 415, 1990.
  32. Tzouanas, V., Luyben, W.L., Georgakis, C. and Ungar, L.H., "Application of the Expert Multivariable Controller to Distillation Columns", Annual AIChE Meeting, San Francisco, November 1989.
  33. Tzouanas, V. and Shah, S.L., "Adaptive Pole-assignment Control of Processes with large Time Delays", International Journal of Systems Science, Vol. 21, Issue 6, pp. 1121 - 1134, 1990.
  34. Tzouanas, V. and Shah, S.L., "Adaptive Pole-assignment Control of a Batch Polymerization Reactor", Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 1183 - 1193, 1989.
  35. Tzouanas, V., Georgakis, C., Luyben, W.L and Ungar, L.H., "Expert Multivariable Control", Computers and Chemical Engineering, Vol.12, No. 9/10, pp. 1065 - 1075, 1988.
  36. Tzouanas, V., Georgakis, C., Luyben, W.L and Ungar, L.H., "Expert Multivariable Control", Annual AIChE Meeting, New York, N.Y., November 1987.
  37. Ungar, L.H., Tzouanas, V. and Georgakis, C., "Knowledge-based Expert Systems for Process Control", AIChE Meeting, New Jersey Chapter, October, 1987.
  38. Tzouanas, V., Ungar, L.H. and Georgakis, C., "Towards an Expert Multivariable Controller", Proc. 10th IFAC World Control Congress, Vol. 6, pp. 357 - 362, Munich, Germany, July 1987.
  39. Tzouanas, V. and Shah, S.L., "Adaptive Pole-placement Control of a Batch Polymerization Reactor", Proc. IFAC Conference on Adaptive Control of Chemical Processes, pp. 114 - 119, Frankfurt, Germany, 1985.​

Dr. Tzouanas' research interests are in the following areas: 

   1) process design, modeling, and simulation 
   2) process control
   3) renewable energy systems.

The objective of his research is to not only invent new knowledge but also convert the "feasible" into "practical". The result is control systems that help optimize process operation (i.e. maximum return on investment) subject to operational excellence (i.e. safety, environmental, reliability, quality) constraints. Process examples are drawn from different industrial sectors such as chemicals, refining, bio-systems, and renewable energy systems.

Dr. Tzouanas' research efforts provide high impact learning experiences to many UHD undergraduate students by involving them in research early on in their studies.


Dr. Tzouanas is the recipient of the following awards:

  • Halliburton Professorship, 2016.
  • Halliburton Professorship, 2014.
  • Lyondell Corporate Award for Efficiency, 2006.
  • Amoco Technical Award, 1998.​

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