Overview
Background
Dr Liu Ye is is a Professor at The University of Queensland (UQ) in the School of Chemical Engineering. Dr Ye’s research is focused on sustainable environmental engineering and is dedicated to finding innovative and practical solutions to tackle challenges in achieving net zero emissions, climate resilience, and sustainability. She is the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) research program leader at UQ urban water engineering. She has an established national and international leadership in the research field of net-zero emissions from urban wastewater systems. Prof Ye has been awarded over AU$10M competitive research funding and has a broad research collaboration within academia and industry. She collaborated extensively with water industry partners (> 15, both Australia and overseas water utilities), Australian state Government, Industry peak bodies (Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), Water Research Australia (WarterRA)) and Technology companies (e.g., Jacob, Suez, Veolia). She has also received more than eight scientific awards (including Research Innovation Award from Australia Water Association, UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award, etc.), and the EAIT faculty teaching excellence award. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and an elected member in the Strategic Council of International Water Association (IWA). She is also a member of the Australia Association for Engineering Education (AAEE) and Engineers Australia (EA). She current servers as the Associate editor of Environmental Science: Water Research and Technology and in the Editorial board of Engineering journal.
Research:
Liu’s research includes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigation from biological wastewater treatment processes; sludge minimization and biogas production enhancement; advanced biological nutrient removal (BNR) technology development; on-line process control and optimisation and resource recovery from wastes.
Teaching and Learning:
CHEE2020: Process Equipment and Control (Coordinator and Lecturer);
CHEE2501: Environmental Systems Engineering I: Processes (Lecturer);
CHEE4012: Industrial Wastewater & Solid Waste Management (Lecturer);
CHEE4007/4027 Thesis project;
Availability
- Professor Liu Ye is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Engineering, Zhengzhou University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Beijing University of Technology
Research impacts
Prof Liu Ye's research is having a substantive impact in gaining a deeper scientific understanding of biological nutrient removal and recovery during wastewater treatment and outputs from her research are used by industry to recover nutrients from wastewater and reduce greenhouse gas emission and activate sludge production during wastewater treatment, which directly benefits the Australia water utilities and the living environment-:
- Leader and one of the key drivers to the development of N2O research at UQ, with solid and active collaboration with Australia water utilities. Research outcome has set a benchmark for reducing emissions by 35% at one of the largest Australian treatment plants in Adelaide, translating to potential annual savings of $50M for the water industry.
- GHG outcome featured as an exemplar of how chemical engineering can drive real change for a better future, as recognized by the IChemE in their publication "Chemical Engineering Impact in Australia" at the end of 2019.
- Featured by IChemE Sustainability Hub: Sustainability success stories on “Wastewater treatment and process emissions – Dr Liu Ye”, (https://www.icheme.org/knowledge-networks/sustainability-hub/sdg-6-clean-water-and-sanitation/making-a-difference-sustainability-success-stories/)
- Her methodology for real-time greenhouse gas emission measurement, which was applied in Melbourne Water’s full-scale treatment plant, won the 2022 Australia Water Association Research Excellence and Innovation award (Victoria region).
- Developed the first systematic approach to quantify the N2O emissions from wastewater system with surface aerators. It was successfully applied to estimate the N2O emission factor for a well-mixed full-scale oxidation ditch wastewater treatment plant in Perth.
- Her ground-breaking research has led to substantial development and commercialisation of the free nitrous acid (FNA) technology. Her research revealed, for the first time, FNA at a low concentration can completely suppress bacterial growth. This research, together with another research result, underpinned the application of FNA as a green chemical to control biofilm growth on sewers and to reduce the sludge production during urban wastewater treatment.
Works
Search Professor Liu Ye’s works on UQ eSpace
2015
Journal Article
Full-scale modeling explaining large spatial variations of nitrous oxide fluxes in a step-feed plug-flow wastewater treatment reactor
Ni, Bing-Jie, Pan, Yuting, Van Den Akker, Ben, Ye, Liu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2015). Full-scale modeling explaining large spatial variations of nitrous oxide fluxes in a step-feed plug-flow wastewater treatment reactor. Environmental Science and Technology, 49 (15), 9176-9184. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5b02038
2015
Journal Article
N2O production by ammonia oxidizing bacteria in an enriched nitrifying sludge linearly depends on inorganic carbon concentration
Peng, Lai, Ni, Bing-Jie, Ye, Liu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2015). N2O production by ammonia oxidizing bacteria in an enriched nitrifying sludge linearly depends on inorganic carbon concentration. Water Research, 74, 58-66. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.02.003
2015
Journal Article
Identification of the function of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in denitrifying phosphorus removal sludge in the presence of copper ion
Wang, Yayi, Qin, Jian, Zhou, Shuai, Lin, Ximao, Ye, Liu, Song, Chengkang and Yan, Yuan (2015). Identification of the function of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in denitrifying phosphorus removal sludge in the presence of copper ion. Water Research, 73, 252-264. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.01.034
2015
Journal Article
The combined effect of dissolved oxygen and nitrite on N2O production by ammonia oxidizing bacteria in an enriched nitrifying sludge
Peng, Lai, Ni, Bing-Jie, Ye, Liu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2015). The combined effect of dissolved oxygen and nitrite on N2O production by ammonia oxidizing bacteria in an enriched nitrifying sludge. Water Research, 73, 29-36. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.01.021
2015
Journal Article
The combined effects of COD/N ratio and nitrate recycling ratio on nitrogen and phosphorus removal in anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic (A2/O)-biological aerated filter (BAF) systems
Chen, Yongzhi, Li, Baikun, Ye, Liu and Peng, Yongzhen (2015). The combined effects of COD/N ratio and nitrate recycling ratio on nitrogen and phosphorus removal in anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic (A2/O)-biological aerated filter (BAF) systems. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 93, 235-242. doi: 10.1016/j.bej.2014.10.005
2015
Journal Article
Producing free nitrous acid - A green and renewable biocidal agent - From anaerobic digester liquor
Law, Yingyu, Ye, Liu, Wang, Qilin, Hu, Shihu, Pijuan, Maite and Yuan, Zhiguo (2015). Producing free nitrous acid - A green and renewable biocidal agent - From anaerobic digester liquor. Chemical Engineering Journal, 259, 62-69. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2014.07.138
2015
Journal Article
Comparison of endogenous metabolism during long-term anaerobic starvation of nitrite/nitrate cultivated denitrifying phosphorus removal sludges
Wang, Yayi, Zhou, Shuai, Wang, Hong, Ye, Liu, Qin, Jian and Lin, Ximao (2015). Comparison of endogenous metabolism during long-term anaerobic starvation of nitrite/nitrate cultivated denitrifying phosphorus removal sludges. Water Research, 68, 374-386. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.09.044
2014
Journal Article
The effect of dissolved oxygen on N2O production by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in an enriched nitrifying sludge
Peng, Lai, Ni, Bing-Jie, Erler, Dirk, Ye, Liu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). The effect of dissolved oxygen on N2O production by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in an enriched nitrifying sludge. Water Research, 66, 12-21. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.08.009
2014
Journal Article
Enhancing methane production from waste activated sludge using combined free nitrous acid and heat pre-treatment
Wang, Qilin, Jiang, Guangming, Ye, Liu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). Enhancing methane production from waste activated sludge using combined free nitrous acid and heat pre-treatment. Water Research, 63, 71-80. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.06.010
2014
Journal Article
Heterotrophic denitrification plays an important role in N2O production from nitritation reactors treating anaerobic sludge digestion liquor
Wang, Qilin, Jiang, Guangming, Ye, Liu, Pijuan, Maite and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). Heterotrophic denitrification plays an important role in N2O production from nitritation reactors treating anaerobic sludge digestion liquor. Water Research, 62, 202-210. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.06.003
2014
Journal Article
Nitrite survival and nitrous oxide production of denitrifying phosphorus removal sludges in long-term nitrite/nitrate-fed sequencing batch reactors
Wang, Yayi, Zhou, Shuai, Ye, Liu, Wang, Hong, Stephenson, Tom and Jiang, Xuxin (2014). Nitrite survival and nitrous oxide production of denitrifying phosphorus removal sludges in long-term nitrite/nitrate-fed sequencing batch reactors. Water Research, 67, 33-45. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.08.052
2014
Journal Article
Enhanced lipid extraction from algae using free nitrous acid pretreatment
Bai, Xue, Naghdi, Forough Ghasemi, Ye, Liu, Lant, Paul and Pratt, Steven (2014). Enhanced lipid extraction from algae using free nitrous acid pretreatment. Bioresource Technology, 159, 36-40. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.01.133
2014
Journal Article
污水生物处理实际工艺中氧化亚氮的释放:现状与挑战
王亚宜 Wang, Yayi, 周东 Zhou, Dong, 赵伟 Zhao, Wei, 叶柳 Ye, Liu, 黎力 Li, Li, 谭学军 Tan, Xuejun and 宋成康 Song, Chengkang (2014). 污水生物处理实际工艺中氧化亚氮的释放:现状与挑战. Huanjing Kexue Xuebao, 34 (5), 1079-1088. doi: 10.13671/j.hjkxxb.2014.0172
2014
Journal Article
Side-stream sludge treatment using free nitrous acid selectively eliminates nitrite oxidizing bacteria and achieves the nitrite pathway
Wang, Qilin, Ye, Liu, Jiang, Guangming, Hu, Shihu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). Side-stream sludge treatment using free nitrous acid selectively eliminates nitrite oxidizing bacteria and achieves the nitrite pathway. Water Research, 55, 245-255. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.02.029
2014
Journal Article
A novel methodology to quantify nitrous oxide emissions from full-scale wastewater treatment systems with surface aerators
Ye, Liu, Ni, Bing-Jie, Law, Yingyu, Byers, Craig and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). A novel methodology to quantify nitrous oxide emissions from full-scale wastewater treatment systems with surface aerators. Water Research, 48 (1), 257-268. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.09.037
2013
Journal Article
Free nitrous acid (FNA)-based pretreatment enhances methane production from waste activated sludge
Wang, Qilin, Ye, Liu, Jiang, Guangming, Jensen, Paul D., Batstone, Damien J. and Yuan, Zhiguo (2013). Free nitrous acid (FNA)-based pretreatment enhances methane production from waste activated sludge. Environmental Science and Technology, 47 (20), 11897-11904. doi: 10.1021/es402933b
2013
Journal Article
Long-term impact of anaerobic reaction time on the performance and granular characteristics of granular denitrifying biological phosphorus removal systems
Wang, Yayi, Guo, Gang, Wang, Hong, Stephenson, Tom, Guo, Jianhua and Ye, Liu (2013). Long-term impact of anaerobic reaction time on the performance and granular characteristics of granular denitrifying biological phosphorus removal systems. Water Research, 47 (14), 5326-5237. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.06.013
2013
Journal Article
Effect of H2S on N2O Reduction and Accumulation during Denitrification by Methanol Utilizing Denitrifiers
Pan, Yuting, Ye, Liu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2013). Effect of H2S on N2O Reduction and Accumulation during Denitrification by Methanol Utilizing Denitrifiers. Environmental Science & Technology, 47 (15), 8408-8415. doi: 10.1021/es401632r
2013
Journal Article
Mathematical modeling of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from full-scale wastewater treatment plants
Ni, Bing-Jie, Ye, Liu, Law, Yingyu, Byers, Craig and Yuan, Zhiguo (2013). Mathematical modeling of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from full-scale wastewater treatment plants. Environmental Science and Technology, 47 (14), 7795-7803. doi: 10.1021/es4005398
2013
Journal Article
A free nitrous acid (FNA)-based technology for reducing sludge production
Wang, Qilin, Ye, Liu, Jiang, Guangming and Yuan, Zhiguo (2013). A free nitrous acid (FNA)-based technology for reducing sludge production. Water Research, 47 (11), 3663-3672. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.04.016
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Liu Ye is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating and reducing the carbon footprint of biosolids treatment from urban wastewater system
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone
-
Doctor Philosophy
Climate smart biological wastewater treatment processes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Haoran Duan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Climate smart biological wastewater treatment processes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Haoran Duan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel Phosphorous accumulating organisms in next generation wastewater treatment systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding nitrous oxide emissions from wastewater treatment processes with stable isotopes and mathematical modelling
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Haoran Duan, Professor Hongzhi Yin
-
Doctor Philosophy
Quantification and reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from next generation wastewater treatment systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Haoran Duan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel biofilm-based nitrogen removal technology and its N2O emission in wastewater treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Haoran Duan
-
Doctor Philosophy
An Integrated Approach to achieve Net-zero operation in Wastewater Resource Recovery Facilities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Zhiyao Wang
-
Doctor Philosophy
State of Knowledge and modeling of Scope 1 emissions from Sewage Treatment Plants
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Haoran Duan, Dr Shakil Ahmmed
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater system in the data era
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Haoran Duan, Professor Hongzhi Yin
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater system in the data era
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Haoran Duan, Professor Hongzhi Yin
-
Doctor Philosophy
A sustainable biological nutrient removal and recovery process for cost-effective wastewater treatment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen, Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating novel microbes for simultaneous nutrient removal from wastewater in Carbon Neutral era
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen, Dr Zhiyao Wang
-
Doctor Philosophy
The development of process control strategies to optimise biological phosphorus removal and recovery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho, Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sustainable and cost-effective biological phosphorus removal technology in urban water systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho, Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Establishment LCA method coupled with an activated sludge model for sustainable nitrogen management technology evaluation.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rocky Chen, Dr Shakil Ahmmed
-
Doctor Philosophy
Cost-effective and sustainable treatment of ammonium-rich industrial wastewater
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shihu Hu, Dr Haoran Duan
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater system in the data era
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Haoran Duan, Professor Hongzhi Yin
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding nitrous oxide generation from novel partial nitrification systems for sustainable wastewater treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan, Dr Haoran Duan
-
2022
Master Philosophy
Carbon Footprint Analysis of Urban Wastewater Treatment Processes and Nitrous Oxide Emission From Aerobic Digestion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Haoran Duan
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Achieving and Understanding Combined Biological Phosphorus Removal and Short-cut Nitrogen in Wastewater Treatment Processes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen, Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Freshwater Anammox bacteria for treatment of saline wastewater
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Pratt
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding of Carbon/Nitrogen recovery from wastewater as value-added bioproducts
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Forward Osmosis (FO) Membrane-based Technology in Urban Wastewater Treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Simon Smart
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
The return activated sludge sidestream process and the role of Tetrasphaera, a fermenting polyphosphate accumulating organism
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Versatile uses of iron in the urban wastewater system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shihu Hu
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Controlling nitrite oxidizing bacteria using nitrogen released from sludge digestion
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2016
Master Philosophy
Biological silicon removal from coal seam gas water
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Pratt
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
FNA-based Pre-treatment of Primary, Secondary and Digested Sludge
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding nitrous oxide production by ammonia oxidizing bacteria in an enriched nitrifying sludge
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Treatment of secondary sludge using free nitrous acid to achieve sludge reduction and enhance methane production in wastewater treatment systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding nitrous oxide production during denitrification by methanol-utilizing denitrifying activated sludge
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Liu Ye directly for media enquiries about:
- Biological wastewater treatment
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- nitrous acid
- online process control
- saline wastewater treatment
- sludge reduction
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