Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
Honorary Professor

Zhiguo Yuan

Email: 

Background

Prof Yuan received his PhD degree in aeronautical engineering in 1992 from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China. He changed research direction to wastewater management in 1994, when he took up a postdoctoral research fellow position at Ghent University, Belgium. He joined the Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC), renamed as the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology in July 2021, at The University of Queensland in 1998. He served as the AWMC Deputy Director 2001-2014, and then the AWMC/ACWEB Director in 2015 to July 2022. His research focuses on development of innovative solutions for urban water management and environmental biotechnology through effective integration of fundamental science and applied engineering. He won over $50M in government, industry and university research funding including many ARC Discovery, Linkage and Fellowship grants, mostly as the lead Chief Investigator. Prof Yuan was one of the founding members of the $117m Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities. He has published intensively both in specialised journals such as Water Research and Environmental Science and Technology, and multidisciplinary journals including Nature and Science. He is the founder of three biotechnology businesses namely SeweX, Cloevis and Lodomat, and his research has delivered documented savings of hundreds of millions of dollars to the Australian water industry. His research achievements and leadership have been recognized through major national and international awards including the 2015 ATSE Clunies Ross Award and the International Water Association (IWA) 2014 Global Project Innovation Award (Applied Research Category). Prof Yuan was named as one of Engineers Australia’s Top 100 Most Influential Engineers for 2015. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), an IWA Distinguished Fellow, and was awarded the highly prestigious ARC Australian Laureate Fellowship in 2017. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in January 2019.

Availability

Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Environmental biotechnology Environmental engineering

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Engineering, Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics

Research interests

  • Integrated Urban Water Management

    A whole-of-system approach to managing multiple water resources in an urban water cycle and multiple elements in an urban water system.

  • Digital water

    Descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive data analytics for proactive urban water management

  • Sustainable carbon bioeconomy

    Gas fermentation to convert organic wastes to carbon commodities

  • Corrosion and odour management in sewers systems

    Effective control of H2S production in sewer systems and minimise its effect on sewer corrosion and odour generation

  • Sludge management in wastewater treatment systems

    Innovative technologies for enhancing bioenergy recovery from wastewater and reducing sludge production

  • Greenhouse gas emissions from water and wastewater systems

    Fugitive greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater systems including CH4 emission in sewers, N2O emission from wastewater treatment processes and CH4 and N2O emissions from estuaries, dams and bays

  • Biological nutrient removal and recovery

    Innovative technologies and fundamental science for biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal and recovery from wastewater

Research impacts

  • His research in sewer management has fundamentally changed practice of many Australian water utilities in corrosion and odour management in sewers. The documented savings to date for the water industry amounts to approximately $400 million, based on the testimonial letters provided by industry partners.
  • He has collaborated with almost all major water utilities in Australia through many ARC Industry Linkage projects as well as a large number of collaborative research projects.
  • He was a founding and Executive Committee member of the $117 million Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cites, with over 80 industry partners, and led the Future Technologies Program Leader.
  • Established SeweX, a consulting company under UniQuest Pty Ltd, in 2008. SeweX has undertaken over $3 million consulting work since 2009. Clients included both Australian water utilities and companies from overseas. SeweX has been recently licensed to Envirosuite, an ASX listed technology company.
  • Established Cloevis Pty Ltd, a spin-off company from my sewer research. The company has licenced its patented technology on biofilm removal from sewer pipes to USP Technologies (US).
  • His research on sludge treatment using free nitrous acid has led to the development of the patented Lodomat technology that substantially increases biogas production from wastewater sludge. The technology has recently attracted >$5M (+ >$4M in-kind) industry and government funding for pilot plant demonstrations.
  • His research has frequently attracted media attention, with many articles published in newspapers such as The Australian and The Courier Mail, the News Agency Websites (e.g. ABC, Xinhua Agency), and industry magazines, newsletters and websites. Five of his papers have Altmetric Attention Scores that are in the top 5% of the 6.4 million research outputs tracked.
  • He is an Editor of Water Research, a top journal in water science and technology.
  • He published over 500 papers in internationally leading journals (the full list and citation record: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1IPdGqkAAAAJ&hl=en)

Search Professor Zhiguo Yuan’s works on UQ eSpace

805 works between 1992 and 2025
All (805) Journal Article (623) Book Chapter (9) Conference Publication (169) Book (1) Other Outputs (3)

1 - 20 of 805 works

2025

Journal Article

Exploring the feasibility of high rate enhanced biological phosphorus removal system driven by diverse carbon source

Lu, Xuanyu, Zhao, Jing, Duan, Haoran, Yuan, Zhiguo, Zu, Yilin, Oehmen, Adrian and Ye, Liu (2025). Exploring the feasibility of high rate enhanced biological phosphorus removal system driven by diverse carbon source. Water Research X, 28 100365, 100365-28. doi: 10.1016/j.wroa.2025.100365

Exploring the feasibility of high rate enhanced biological phosphorus removal system driven by diverse carbon source

2025

Journal Article

Microbial conversion of methane into single cell protein in a dual-membrane biofilm reactor

Ma, Yicheng, Liu, Tao, Yuan, Zhiguo and Guo, Jianhua (2025). Microbial conversion of methane into single cell protein in a dual-membrane biofilm reactor. Water Research, 283 123838, 123838. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123838

Microbial conversion of methane into single cell protein in a dual-membrane biofilm reactor

2025

Journal Article

Enhancing the resilience of urban drainage system using deep reinforcement learning

Tian, Wenchong, Zhang, Zhiyu, Xin, Kunlun, Liao, Zhenliang and Yuan, Zhiguo (2025). Enhancing the resilience of urban drainage system using deep reinforcement learning. Water Research, 281 123681, 123681-281. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123681

Enhancing the resilience of urban drainage system using deep reinforcement learning

2025

Journal Article

Sulfate-reducing capability of nitrate-dependent anaerobic gaseous alkanes degrader

Liu, Xiawei, Yuan, Zhiguo, Wu, Mengxiong and Guo, Jianhua (2025). Sulfate-reducing capability of nitrate-dependent anaerobic gaseous alkanes degrader. Water Research, 280 123507, 123507. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123507

Sulfate-reducing capability of nitrate-dependent anaerobic gaseous alkanes degrader

2025

Journal Article

3D-printed PCL scaffolds combined with injectable sodium alginate/magnesium-doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanosphere hydrogel for meniscus regeneration: In vitro, In vivo, and multiomics-based therapeutic analyses

Li, Hao, Yang, Yongkang, Gao, Tianze, Li, Runmeng, Wang, Chao, Wang, Xue, Zhao, Tianyuan, Tian, Qinyu, Zhang, Zhixing, Zhang, Ruiyang, Guo, Quanyi, Yuan, Zhiguo and Tang, Peifu (2025). 3D-printed PCL scaffolds combined with injectable sodium alginate/magnesium-doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanosphere hydrogel for meniscus regeneration: In vitro, In vivo, and multiomics-based therapeutic analyses. Bioactive Materials, 48, 313-335. doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.02.016

3D-printed PCL scaffolds combined with injectable sodium alginate/magnesium-doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanosphere hydrogel for meniscus regeneration: In vitro, In vivo, and multiomics-based therapeutic analyses

2025

Journal Article

Real-Time detection of sewer water levels and blockages using UHF-RFID sensors

Tatiparthi, Sundra R., De Costa, Yashika G., Wyllie, David, Zhong, Ray Y., Hu, Shihu, Yuan, Zhiguo, Whittaker, Colin N. and Zhuang, Wei-Qin (2025). Real-Time detection of sewer water levels and blockages using UHF-RFID sensors. Water Research, 278 123380, 123380-278. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123380

Real-Time detection of sewer water levels and blockages using UHF-RFID sensors

2025

Journal Article

Integrated application of nanoscale zero-valent iron for sulfide and methane control in sewers and improved wastewater treatment

Cen, Xiaotong, Hu, Zhetai, Yu, Zhigang, Huang, Xin, Zuo, Zhiqiang, Guo, Jianhua, Yuan, Zhiguo and Zheng, Min (2025). Integrated application of nanoscale zero-valent iron for sulfide and methane control in sewers and improved wastewater treatment. Water Research, 276 123248, 123248. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123248

Integrated application of nanoscale zero-valent iron for sulfide and methane control in sewers and improved wastewater treatment

2025

Journal Article

Water Research X is expanding its article types

Yuan, Zhiguo (2025). Water Research X is expanding its article types. Water Research X, 27 100338, 100338-27. doi: 10.1016/j.wroa.2025.100338

Water Research X is expanding its article types

2025

Journal Article

An ODE-based swift and dynamic sewer airflow model

Shi, Tao, Li, Jiuling, Ge, Jingyu, Watts, Shane, Wang, Yaran, Sharma, Keshab and Yuan, Zhiguo (2025). An ODE-based swift and dynamic sewer airflow model. Water Research, 273 123083, 123083-273. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.123083

An ODE-based swift and dynamic sewer airflow model

2025

Journal Article

A low-cost soft sensor for sewer flow monitoring — Learning from water level measurements in manholes

Lin, Ruozhou, Qiu, Ruihong, Hu, Lihan, Ding, Yaxin and Yuan, Zhiguo (2025). A low-cost soft sensor for sewer flow monitoring — Learning from water level measurements in manholes. Water Research, 274 123135, 123135-274. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123135

A low-cost soft sensor for sewer flow monitoring — Learning from water level measurements in manholes

2025

Journal Article

Current trends in electromicrobiology of methane oxidation

Zhang, Xueqin, Yuan, Zhiguo and Hu, Shihu (2025). Current trends in electromicrobiology of methane oxidation. Trends in Microbiology, 33 (7), 782-795. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2025.02.012

Current trends in electromicrobiology of methane oxidation

2025

Journal Article

Gas-delivery membrane as an alternative aeration method to remove dissolved methane from anaerobically treated wastewater

Lu, Yan, Liu, Tao, Wang, Hui, Zuo, Lukun, Hu, Shihu, Yuan, Zhiguo, Bagg, Wayne and Guo, Jianhua (2025). Gas-delivery membrane as an alternative aeration method to remove dissolved methane from anaerobically treated wastewater. Water Research, 268 (B) 122760. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122760

Gas-delivery membrane as an alternative aeration method to remove dissolved methane from anaerobically treated wastewater

2025

Journal Article

Enrichment and identification of a moderately acidophilic nitrite-oxidizing bacterium

Xia, Jun, Su, Zicheng, Cai, Chen, Liu, Tao, Yuan, Zhiguo and Zheng, Min (2025). Enrichment and identification of a moderately acidophilic nitrite-oxidizing bacterium. Water Research X, 26 100308. doi: 10.1016/j.wroa.2025.100308

Enrichment and identification of a moderately acidophilic nitrite-oxidizing bacterium

2025

Journal Article

Integrated urban wastewater management through on-site generation and application of ferrous carbonate

Cen, Xiaotong, Hu, Zhetai, Huang, Xin, Yuan, Zhiguo and Zheng, Min (2025). Integrated urban wastewater management through on-site generation and application of ferrous carbonate. Water Research, 268 (B) 122732. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122732

Integrated urban wastewater management through on-site generation and application of ferrous carbonate

2024

Journal Article

Anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to reductive immobilization of hexavalent chromium by “Candidatus Methanoperedens”

Wang, Suicao, Zhang, Xueqin, Tian, Dihua, Zhao, Jing, Rabiee, Hesamoddin, Cai, Fangrui, Xie, Mengying, Virdis, Bernardino, Guo, Jianhua, Yuan, Zhiguo, Zhang, Run and Hu, Shihu (2024). Anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to reductive immobilization of hexavalent chromium by “Candidatus Methanoperedens”. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 480 136020, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136020

Anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to reductive immobilization of hexavalent chromium by “Candidatus Methanoperedens”

2024

Journal Article

Coarse bubble mixing in anoxic zone greatly stimulates nitrous oxide emissions from biological nitrogen removal process

Duan, Haoran, Watt, Shane, Erler, Dirk, Li, Huijuan, Wang, Zhiyao, Zheng, Min, Hu, Shihu, Ye, Liu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2024). Coarse bubble mixing in anoxic zone greatly stimulates nitrous oxide emissions from biological nitrogen removal process. Water Research X, 25 100263, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.wroa.2024.100263

Coarse bubble mixing in anoxic zone greatly stimulates nitrous oxide emissions from biological nitrogen removal process

2024

Journal Article

Identifying periods impacted by sewer inflow and infiltration using time series anomaly detection

Ge, Jingyu, Li, Jiuling, Qiu, Ruihong, Shi, Tao, Huang, Zi, Liu, Yanchen and Yuan, Zhiguo (2024). Identifying periods impacted by sewer inflow and infiltration using time series anomaly detection. Water Research X, 25 100278, 100278. doi: 10.1016/j.wroa.2024.100278

Identifying periods impacted by sewer inflow and infiltration using time series anomaly detection

2024

Journal Article

Pipe material and natural organic matter impact drinking water biofilm microbial community, pathogen profiles and antibiotic resistome deciphered by metagenomics assembly

Ke, Yanchu, Sun, Wenjun, Xue, Yanei, Yuan, Zhiguo, Zhu, Ying, Chen, Xiuli, Yan, Shuang, Li, Yangyang and Xie, Shuguang (2024). Pipe material and natural organic matter impact drinking water biofilm microbial community, pathogen profiles and antibiotic resistome deciphered by metagenomics assembly. Environmental Research, 262 119964, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119964

Pipe material and natural organic matter impact drinking water biofilm microbial community, pathogen profiles and antibiotic resistome deciphered by metagenomics assembly

2024

Journal Article

Global metagenomic survey identifies sewage-derived hgcAB+ microorganisms as key contributors to riverine methylmercury production

Xia, Juntao, Yuan, Zhiguo and Jiang, Feng (2024). Global metagenomic survey identifies sewage-derived hgcAB+ microorganisms as key contributors to riverine methylmercury production. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 9262, 1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-53479-9

Global metagenomic survey identifies sewage-derived hgcAB+ microorganisms as key contributors to riverine methylmercury production

2024

Journal Article

Sustainable wastewater management through nitrogen-cycling microorganisms

Liu, Tao, Duan, Haoran, Lücker, Sebastian, Zheng, Min, Daims, Holger, Yuan, Zhiguo and Guo, Jianhua (2024). Sustainable wastewater management through nitrogen-cycling microorganisms. Nature Water, 2 (10) 1836, 936-952. doi: 10.1038/s44221-024-00307-5

Sustainable wastewater management through nitrogen-cycling microorganisms

Availability

Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Airflow and temperature modelling for sewers

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jiuling Li

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding of Ventilation-Based Drying for Sewer Corrosion Control

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jiuling Li, Dr Zhetai Hu

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Data quality assurance in digitalisation of urban water management

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Helen Huang, Dr Jiuling Li, Dr Ruihong Qiu

  • Doctor Philosophy

    In-depth understanding of bioprocess and microbial community in a novel methane-based membrane biofilm reactor

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Extracellular Electron Transfer-Facilitated Microbial Conversion of Methanol by Eubacterium limosum

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Xueqin Zhang, Dr Bernardino Virdis

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Understanding of Condensation-induced Concrete Corrsoion in the Sewer Crown Region

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone, Dr Jiuling Li

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Integrated use of magnesium and iron chemicals in urban wastewater systems

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Zhetai Hu

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan directly for media enquiries about:

  • Corrosion - sewers
  • Odour - sewers
  • Sewers
  • Wastewater management
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Water treatment

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