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)

241 - 260 of 805 works

2019

Journal Article

Perchlorate bio-reduction in a methane-based membrane biofilm reactor in the presence and absence of oxygen

Wu, Mengxiong, Luo, Jing-Huan, Hu, Shihu, Yuan, Zhiguo and Guo, Jianhua (2019). Perchlorate bio-reduction in a methane-based membrane biofilm reactor in the presence and absence of oxygen. Water Research, 157, 572-578. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.04.008

Perchlorate bio-reduction in a methane-based membrane biofilm reactor in the presence and absence of oxygen

2019

Conference Publication

Achieving stable mainstream nitrite shunt: NOB adaptation solved

Duan, Haoran, Ye, Liu, Lu, Xuanyu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2019). Achieving stable mainstream nitrite shunt: NOB adaptation solved. 16th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 1-5 June 2019.

Achieving stable mainstream nitrite shunt: NOB adaptation solved

2019

Journal Article

The rapid chemically induced corrosion of concrete sewers at high H2S concentration

Li, Xuan, O'Moore, Liza, Song, Yarong, Bond, Philp. L., Yuan, Zhiguo, Wilkie, Simeon, Hanzic, Lucija and Jiang, Guangming (2019). The rapid chemically induced corrosion of concrete sewers at high H2S concentration. Water Research, 162, 95-104. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.06.062

The rapid chemically induced corrosion of concrete sewers at high H2S concentration

2019

Journal Article

Biochar-mediated anaerobic oxidation of methane

Zhang, Xueqin, Xia, Jun, Pu, Jiaoyang, Cai, Chen, Tyson, Gene W., Yuan, Zhiguo and Hu, Shihu (2019). Biochar-mediated anaerobic oxidation of methane. Environmental Science and Technology, 53 (12) acs.est.9b01345, 6660-6668. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01345

Biochar-mediated anaerobic oxidation of methane

2019

Journal Article

Removal of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs from wastewater due to ferric dosing in sewers

Kulandaivelu, Jagadeeshkumar, Gao, Jianfa, Song, Yarong, Shrestha, Sohan, Li, Xuan, Li, Jiaying, Doederer, Katrin, Keller, Jurg, Yuan, Zhiguo, Mueller, Jochen F. and Jiang, Guangming (2019). Removal of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs from wastewater due to ferric dosing in sewers. Environmental Science and Technology, 53 (11) acs.est.8b07155, 6245-6254. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b07155

Removal of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs from wastewater due to ferric dosing in sewers

2019

Journal Article

Application of iron-crosslinked sodium alginate for efficient sulfide control and reduction of oilfield produced water

Wu, Jun, Zeng, Raymond Jianxiong, Zhang, Fang and Yuan, Zhiguo (2019). Application of iron-crosslinked sodium alginate for efficient sulfide control and reduction of oilfield produced water. Water Research, 154, 12-20. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.01.030

Application of iron-crosslinked sodium alginate for efficient sulfide control and reduction of oilfield produced water

2019

Journal Article

Growth kinetics of Candidatus ‘Methanoperedens nitroreducens’ enriched in a laboratory reactor

Lu, Peili, Liu, Tao, Ni, Bing-Jie, Guo, Jianhua, Yuan, Zhiguo and Hu, Shihu (2019). Growth kinetics of Candidatus ‘Methanoperedens nitroreducens’ enriched in a laboratory reactor. Science of The Total Environment, 659, 442-450. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.351

Growth kinetics of Candidatus ‘Methanoperedens nitroreducens’ enriched in a laboratory reactor

2019

Journal Article

A comparative proteomic analysis of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough in response to the antimicrobial agent free nitrous acid

Gao, Shu-Hong, Ho, Jun Yuan, Fan, Lu, Nouwens, Amanda, Hoelzle, Robert D., Schulz, Benjamin, Guo, Jianhua, Zhou, Jizhong, Yuan, Zhiguo and Bond, Philip L. (2019). A comparative proteomic analysis of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough in response to the antimicrobial agent free nitrous acid. Science of The Total Environment, 672, 625-633. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.442

A comparative proteomic analysis of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough in response to the antimicrobial agent free nitrous acid

2019

Journal Article

Physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal CuO nanoparticle inhibition of anabolic and catabolic activities of sulfate-reducing bacterium

Chen, Zhaoyu, Gao, Shu-hong, Jin, Min, Sun, Shengjie, Lu, Ji, Yang, Ping, Bond, Philip L., Yuan, Zhiguo and Guo, Jianhua (2019). Physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal CuO nanoparticle inhibition of anabolic and catabolic activities of sulfate-reducing bacterium. Environment International, 125, 65-74. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.01.058

Physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal CuO nanoparticle inhibition of anabolic and catabolic activities of sulfate-reducing bacterium

2019

Journal Article

Experimental investigation and modelling of the transformation of illicit drugs in a pilot-scale sewer system

Li, Jiaying, Gao, Jianfa, Thai, Phong K, Shypanski, Adam, Nieradzik, Ludwika, Mueller, Jochen F, Yuan, Zhiguo and Jiang, Guangming (2019). Experimental investigation and modelling of the transformation of illicit drugs in a pilot-scale sewer system. Environmental Science and Technology, 53 (8) acs.est.8b06169, 4556-4565. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b06169

Experimental investigation and modelling of the transformation of illicit drugs in a pilot-scale sewer system

2019

Journal Article

Distinct microbially induced concrete corrosion at the tidal region of reinforced concrete sewers

Song, Yarong, Tian, Yimei, Li, Xuan, Wei, Jing, Zhang, Haiya, Bond, Philip L., Yuan, Zhiguo and Jiang, Guangming (2019). Distinct microbially induced concrete corrosion at the tidal region of reinforced concrete sewers. Water Research, 150, 392-402. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.11.083

Distinct microbially induced concrete corrosion at the tidal region of reinforced concrete sewers

2019

Journal Article

Integrated project risk management for residential recycled-water schemes in Australia

West, Camilla, Kenway, Steven, Hassall, Maureen and Yuan, Zhiguo (2019). Integrated project risk management for residential recycled-water schemes in Australia. Journal of Management in Engineering, 35 (2) 04018063, 04018063. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000677

Integrated project risk management for residential recycled-water schemes in Australia

2019

Journal Article

Sweating the assets – the role of instrumentation, control and automation in urban water systems

Yuan, Zhiguo, Olsson, Gustaf, Cardell-Oliver, Rachel, van Schagen, Kim, Marchi, Angela, Deletic, Ana, Urich, Christian, Rauch, Wolfgang, Liu, Yanchen and Jiang, Guangming (2019). Sweating the assets – the role of instrumentation, control and automation in urban water systems. Water Research, 155, 381-402. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.02.034

Sweating the assets – the role of instrumentation, control and automation in urban water systems

2019

Journal Article

Real-time prediction of rain-impacted sewage flow for on-line control of chemical dosing in sewers

Li, Jiuling, Sharma, Keshab, Liu, Yiqi, Jiang, Guangming and Yuan, Zhiguo (2019). Real-time prediction of rain-impacted sewage flow for on-line control of chemical dosing in sewers. Water Research, 149, 311-321. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.11.021

Real-time prediction of rain-impacted sewage flow for on-line control of chemical dosing in sewers

2019

Journal Article

Corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete sewers

Song, Yarong, Wightman, Elaine, Tian, Yimei, Jack, Kevin, Li, Xuan, Zhong, Huiyun, Bond, Philip L., Yuan, Zhiguo and Jiang, Guangming (2019). Corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete sewers. Science of The Total Environment, 649, 739-748. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.362

Corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete sewers

2019

Journal Article

Increasing capacity of an anaerobic sludge digester through FNA pre-treatment of thickened waste activated sludge

Zhang, Liguo, Duan, Haoran, Ye, Liu, Liu, Lei, Batstone, Damien J. and Yuan, Zhiguo (2019). Increasing capacity of an anaerobic sludge digester through FNA pre-treatment of thickened waste activated sludge. Water Research, 149, 406-413. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.11.008

Increasing capacity of an anaerobic sludge digester through FNA pre-treatment of thickened waste activated sludge

2019

Journal Article

Overcoming nitrite oxidizing bacteria adaptation through alternating sludge treatment with free nitrous acid and free ammonia

Duan, Haoran, Ye, Liu, Lu, Xuanyu and Yuan, Zhiguo (2019). Overcoming nitrite oxidizing bacteria adaptation through alternating sludge treatment with free nitrous acid and free ammonia. Environmental Science & Technology, 53 (4) acs.est.8b06148, 1937-1946. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b06148

Overcoming nitrite oxidizing bacteria adaptation through alternating sludge treatment with free nitrous acid and free ammonia

2019

Journal Article

Self-sustained nitrite accumulation at low pH greatly enhances volatile solids destruction and nitrogen removal in aerobic sludge digestion

Duan, Haoran, Ye, Liu, Lu, Xuanyu, Batstone, Damien J. and Yuan, Zhiguo (2019). Self-sustained nitrite accumulation at low pH greatly enhances volatile solids destruction and nitrogen removal in aerobic sludge digestion. Environmental Science & Technology, 53 (3) acs.est.8b04498, 1225-1234. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04498

Self-sustained nitrite accumulation at low pH greatly enhances volatile solids destruction and nitrogen removal in aerobic sludge digestion

2019

Conference Publication

Manuscript: New GHG methodology to quantify sewer methane

Willis, John, Brower, Bill, Graf, Walter, Murthy, Sudhir, Peot, Chris, Regmi, Pusker, Sharma, Keshab and Yuan, Zhiguo (2019). Manuscript: New GHG methodology to quantify sewer methane. 91st Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, WEFTEC 2018, New Orleans, 29 September - 3 October 2018. Water Environment Federation.

Manuscript: New GHG methodology to quantify sewer methane

2019

Conference Publication

Model-based management and control of the bioreactions in a collection system

Guo, Lisha, Walton, John, Tik, Sovanna, Scott, Zachary, Sharma, Keshab Raj, Boiocchi, Riccardo, Yuan, Zhiguo, Elbeshbishy, Elsayed, Santoro, Domenico and Vanrolleghem, Peter A. (2019). Model-based management and control of the bioreactions in a collection system. 91st Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, WEFTEC 2018, New Orleans, 29 September - 3 October 2018. Water Environment Federation.

Model-based management and control of the bioreactions in a collection system

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

    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

  • 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

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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