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)

421 - 440 of 805 works

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

The effect of dissolved oxygen on N2O production by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in an enriched nitrifying sludge

2014

Journal Article

Mechanism of flue gas desulfurization with sodium phosphate solution

Yuan, Zhiguo, Song, Wei, Liu, Youzhi, Kang, Xiaofeng and Peng, Bo (2014). Mechanism of flue gas desulfurization with sodium phosphate solution. Chemical Engineering & Technology, 37 (12), 2185-2189. doi: 10.1002/ceat.201400301

Mechanism of flue gas desulfurization with sodium phosphate solution

2014

Journal Article

Assessing the spatial and temporal variability of diffusive methane and nitrous oxide emissions from subtropical freshwater reservoirs

Musenze, Ronald S., Grinham, Alistair, Werner, Ursula, Gale, Deborah, Sturm, Katrin, Udy, James and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). Assessing the spatial and temporal variability of diffusive methane and nitrous oxide emissions from subtropical freshwater reservoirs. Environmental Science and Technology, 48 (24), 14499-14507. doi: 10.1021/es505324h

Assessing the spatial and temporal variability of diffusive methane and nitrous oxide emissions from subtropical freshwater reservoirs

2014

Journal Article

Real-time multistep prediction of sewer flow for online chemical dosing control

Chen, Jindong, Ganigue, Ramon, Liu, Yiqi and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). Real-time multistep prediction of sewer flow for online chemical dosing control. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 140 (11) 04014037, 04014037.1-04014037.9. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000860

Real-time multistep prediction of sewer flow for online chemical dosing control

2014

Journal Article

Impact of oxygen injection on CH4 and N2O emissions from rising main sewers

Ganigue, Ramon and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). Impact of oxygen injection on CH4 and N2O emissions from rising main sewers. Journal of Environmental Management, 144, 279-285. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.04.023

Impact of oxygen injection on CH4 and N2O emissions from rising main sewers

2014

Journal Article

Filamentous and non-filamentous bulking of activated sludge encountered under nutrients limitation or deficiency conditions

Guo, Jianhua, Peng, Yongzhen, Wang, Shuying, Yang, Xiong and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). Filamentous and non-filamentous bulking of activated sludge encountered under nutrients limitation or deficiency conditions. Chemical Engineering Journal, 255 (5-6), 453-461. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2014.06.075

Filamentous and non-filamentous bulking of activated sludge encountered under nutrients limitation or deficiency conditions

2014

Journal Article

Stratified microbial structure and activity in sulfide- and methane- producing anaerobic sewer biofilms

Sun, Jing, Hu, Shihu, Sharma, Keshab Raj, Ni, Bing-Jie and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). Stratified microbial structure and activity in sulfide- and methane- producing anaerobic sewer biofilms. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 80 (22), 7042-7052. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02146-14

Stratified microbial structure and activity in sulfide- and methane- producing anaerobic sewer biofilms

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

Enhancing methane production from waste activated sludge using combined free nitrous acid and heat pre-treatment

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

Heterotrophic denitrification plays an important role in N2O production from nitritation reactors treating anaerobic sludge digestion liquor

2014

Journal Article

On-line monitoring of methane in sewer air

Liu, Yiwen, Sharma, Keshab R., Murthy, Sudhir, Johnson, Ian, Evans, Ted and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). On-line monitoring of methane in sewer air. Scientific Reports, 4 (1) 6637, 6637. doi: 10.1038/srep06637

On-line monitoring of methane in sewer air

2014

Journal Article

Regeneration of SO2-loaded sodium phosphate solution in rotating packed bed

Yuan, Zhiguo, Song, Wei, Liu, Youzhi, Kang, Xiaofeng, Peng, Bo and Wang, Tao (2014). Regeneration of SO2-loaded sodium phosphate solution in rotating packed bed. Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan, 47 (10), 777-781. doi: 10.1252/jcej.14we094

Regeneration of SO2-loaded sodium phosphate solution in rotating packed bed

2014

Journal Article

The effect of poly-β-hydroxyalkanoates degradation rate on nitrous oxide production in a denitrifying phosphorus removal system

Wei, Yan, Wang, Shuying, Ma, Bin, Li, Xiyao, Yuan, Zhiguo, He, Yuelan and Peng, Yongzhen (2014). The effect of poly-β-hydroxyalkanoates degradation rate on nitrous oxide production in a denitrifying phosphorus removal system. Bioresource Technology, 170, 175-182. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.06.012

The effect of poly-β-hydroxyalkanoates degradation rate on nitrous oxide production in a denitrifying phosphorus removal system

2014

Journal Article

Methane and nitrous oxide sources and emissions in a subtropical freshwater reservoir, South East Queensland, Australia

Sturm, K., Yuan, Z., Gibbes, B., Werner, U. and Grinham, A. (2014). Methane and nitrous oxide sources and emissions in a subtropical freshwater reservoir, South East Queensland, Australia. Biogeosciences, 11 (18), 5245-5258. doi: 10.5194/bg-11-5245-2014

Methane and nitrous oxide sources and emissions in a subtropical freshwater reservoir, South East Queensland, Australia

2014

Journal Article

Modeling of simultaneous anaerobic methane and ammonium oxidation in a membrane biofilm reactor

Chen, Xueming, Guo, Jianhua, Shi, Ying, Hu, Shihu, Yuan, Zhiguo and Ni, Bing-Jie (2014). Modeling of simultaneous anaerobic methane and ammonium oxidation in a membrane biofilm reactor. Environmental Science and Technology, 48 (16), 9540-9547. doi: 10.1021/es502608s

Modeling of simultaneous anaerobic methane and ammonium oxidation in a membrane biofilm reactor

2014

Journal Article

Reducing sewer corrosion through integrated urban water management

Pikaar, Ilje, Sharma, Keshab R., Hu, Shihu, Gernjak, Wolfgang, Keller, Jürg and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). Reducing sewer corrosion through integrated urban water management. Science, 345 (6198), 812-814. doi: 10.1126/science.1251418

Reducing sewer corrosion through integrated urban water management

2014

Journal Article

Degradability of creatinine under sewer conditions affects its potential to be used as biomarker in sewage epidemiology

Thai, Phong K., O'Brien, Jake, Jiang, Guangming, Gernjak, Wolfgang, Yuan, Zhiguo, Eaglesham, Geoff and Mueller, Jochen F. (2014). Degradability of creatinine under sewer conditions affects its potential to be used as biomarker in sewage epidemiology. Water Research, 55, 272-279. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.02.035

Degradability of creatinine under sewer conditions affects its potential to be used as biomarker in sewage epidemiology

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

Side-stream sludge treatment using free nitrous acid selectively eliminates nitrite oxidizing bacteria and achieves the nitrite pathway

2014

Journal Article

An efficient method for measuring dissolved VOSCs in wastewater using GC-SCD with static headspace technique

Sun, Jing, Hu, Shihu, Sharma, Keshab Raj, Keller-Lehmann, Beatrice and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). An efficient method for measuring dissolved VOSCs in wastewater using GC-SCD with static headspace technique. Water Research, 52, 208-217. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.10.063

An efficient method for measuring dissolved VOSCs in wastewater using GC-SCD with static headspace technique

2014

Journal Article

Modeling of nitrous oxide production by autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria with multiple production pathways

Ni, Bing-Jie, Peng, Lai, Law, Yingyu, Guo, Jianhua and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). Modeling of nitrous oxide production by autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria with multiple production pathways. Environmental Science and Technology, 48 (7), 3916-3924. doi: 10.1021/es405592h

Modeling of nitrous oxide production by autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria with multiple production pathways

2014

Journal Article

Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from a subtropical estuary(the Brisbane River estuary, Australia)

Musenze, Ronald S., Werner, Ursula, Grinham, Alistair, Udy, James and Yuan, Zhiguo (2014). Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from a subtropical estuary(the Brisbane River estuary, Australia). Science of The Total Environment, 472, 719-729. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.085

Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from a subtropical estuary(the Brisbane River estuary, Australia)

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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