Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
Honorary Professor

Zhiguo Yuan

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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)

621 - 640 of 805 works

2009

Conference Publication

Modelling and simulation revealing mechanisms likely responsible for achieving the nitrite pathway through aeration control

Guisasola, Albert, Marcelino, M., Lemaire, R., Baeza, J.A. and Yuan, Z. (2009). Modelling and simulation revealing mechanisms likely responsible for achieving the nitrite pathway through aeration control. IWA ASPD5 Specialized conference microbial population dynamics in biological wastewater treatment, Aalborg, Denmark, 24-27 May 2009. Aalborg, Denmark: International Water Association (IWA).

Modelling and simulation revealing mechanisms likely responsible for achieving the nitrite pathway through aeration control

2009

Conference Publication

Iron salts dosage for sulfide control in sewers enhances phosphorus removal in treatment plants

Gutierrez, Oriol, Park, Donghee, Sharma, Keshab R. and Yuan, Zhiguo (2009). Iron salts dosage for sulfide control in sewers enhances phosphorus removal in treatment plants. IWA 2nd Nutrient Management in Wastewater Treatment Processes Conference, Krakow, Poland, 6-9 September. Krakow, Poland: International Water Association.

Iron salts dosage for sulfide control in sewers enhances phosphorus removal in treatment plants

2009

Journal Article

Dissolved methane in rising main sewer systems: field measurements and simple model development for estimating greenhouse gas emissions

Foley, Jeff, Yuan, Zhiguo and Lant, Paul (2009). Dissolved methane in rising main sewer systems: field measurements and simple model development for estimating greenhouse gas emissions. Water Science and Technology, 60 (11), 2963-2971. doi: 10.2166/wst.2009.718

Dissolved methane in rising main sewer systems: field measurements and simple model development for estimating greenhouse gas emissions

2009

Journal Article

Enrichment and culture of major organism groups in enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems

You, Y., Yuan, Z., Li, X. and Peng, Y. (2009). Enrichment and culture of major organism groups in enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems. Gaojishu Tongxin/Chinese High Technology Letters, 19 (2), 200-206. doi: 10.3772/j.issn.1002-0470.2009.02.001

Enrichment and culture of major organism groups in enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems

2008

Journal Article

Spontaneous electrochemical removal of aqueous sulfide

Dutta, Paritam K., Rabaey, Korneel, Yuan, Zhiguo and Keller, Jurg (2008). Spontaneous electrochemical removal of aqueous sulfide. Water Research, 42 (20), 4965-4975. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.09.007

Spontaneous electrochemical removal of aqueous sulfide

2008

Journal Article

Free Nitrous Acid Inhibition on Nitrous Oxide Reduction by a Denitrifying-Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal Sludge

Zhou, Yan, Pijuan, Maite, Zeng, Raymond J. and Yuan, Zhiguo (2008). Free Nitrous Acid Inhibition on Nitrous Oxide Reduction by a Denitrifying-Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal Sludge. Environmental Science & Technology, 42 (22), 8260-8265. doi: 10.1021/es800650j

Free Nitrous Acid Inhibition on Nitrous Oxide Reduction by a Denitrifying-Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal Sludge

2008

Journal Article

Evaluation of oxygen injection as a means of controlling sulfide production in a sewer system

Gutierrez, Oriol, Mohanakrishnan, Janani, Sharma, Keshab Raj, Meyer, Rikke Louise, Keller, Jurg and Yuan, Zhiguo (2008). Evaluation of oxygen injection as a means of controlling sulfide production in a sewer system. Water Research, 42 (17), 4549-4561. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.07.042

Evaluation of oxygen injection as a means of controlling sulfide production in a sewer system

2008

Journal Article

Syntrophic processes drive the conversion of glucose in microbial fuel cell anodes

Freguia, Stefano, Rabaey, Korneel, Yuan, Zhiguo and Keller, Jurg (2008). Syntrophic processes drive the conversion of glucose in microbial fuel cell anodes. Environmental Science & Technology, 42 (21), 7937-7943. doi: 10.1021/es800482e

Syntrophic processes drive the conversion of glucose in microbial fuel cell anodes

2008

Journal Article

Sludge population optimisation in biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment systems through on-line process control: a review

Yuan, Zhiguo, Yongzhen, Peng, Ma, Yong, Oehmen, Adrian and Keller, Jurg (2008). Sludge population optimisation in biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment systems through on-line process control: a review. Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology, 7 (3), 243-254. doi: 10.1007/s11157-008-9134-y

Sludge population optimisation in biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment systems through on-line process control: a review

2008

Journal Article

Microstructure of copolymers of polyhydroxyalkanoates produced by glycogen accumulating organisms with acetate as the sole carbon source

Dai, Yu, Lambert, Lynette, Yuan, Zhiguo and Keller, Jurg (2008). Microstructure of copolymers of polyhydroxyalkanoates produced by glycogen accumulating organisms with acetate as the sole carbon source. Process Biochemistry, 43 (9), 968-977. doi: 10.1016/j.procbio.2008.04.023

Microstructure of copolymers of polyhydroxyalkanoates produced by glycogen accumulating organisms with acetate as the sole carbon source

2008

Journal Article

Simultaneous Nitrification, Denitrification, and Phosphorus Removal From Nutrient-Rich Industrial Wastewater Using Granular Sludge

Gulsum, Yilmaz, Lemaire, Romain, Keller, Jurg and Yuan, Zhiguo (2008). Simultaneous Nitrification, Denitrification, and Phosphorus Removal From Nutrient-Rich Industrial Wastewater Using Granular Sludge. Biotechnology & Bioengineering, 100 (3), 529-541. doi: 10.1002/bit.21774

Simultaneous Nitrification, Denitrification, and Phosphorus Removal From Nutrient-Rich Industrial Wastewater Using Granular Sludge

2008

Journal Article

Development of a 2-sludge, 3-stage system for nitrogen and phosphorous removal from nutrient-rich wastewater using granular sludge and biofilms

Zhou, Yan, Pijuan, Maite and Yuan, Zhiguo (2008). Development of a 2-sludge, 3-stage system for nitrogen and phosphorous removal from nutrient-rich wastewater using granular sludge and biofilms. Water Research, 42 (12), 3207-3217. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.04.012

Development of a 2-sludge, 3-stage system for nitrogen and phosphorous removal from nutrient-rich wastewater using granular sludge and biofilms

2008

Journal Article

Microbial fuel cells for simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal

Virdis, Bernardino, Rabaey, Korneel, Yuan, Zhiguo and Keller, Jurg (2008). Microbial fuel cells for simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal. Water Research, 42 (12), 3013-3024. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.03.017

Microbial fuel cells for simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal

2008

Journal Article

Dynamics and dynamic modelling of H(2)S production in sewer systems

Sharma, Keshab Raj, Yuan, Zhiguo, de Haas, David, Hamilton, Geoff, Corrie, Shaun and Keller, Jurg (2008). Dynamics and dynamic modelling of H(2)S production in sewer systems. Water Research, 42 (10-11), 2527-2538. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.02.013

Dynamics and dynamic modelling of H(2)S production in sewer systems

2008

Journal Article

Could polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) be glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs)?

Zhou, Yan, Maite, Pijuana, Zeng, Raymond J., Lu, Huabing and Zhiguo, Yuan (2008). Could polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) be glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs)?. Water Research, 42 (10-11), 2361-2368. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.01.003

Could polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) be glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs)?

2008

Journal Article

Micro-scale observations of the structure of aerobic microbial granules used for the treatment of nutrient-rich industrial wastewater

Lemaire, R., Webb, R. I. and Yuan, Z. (2008). Micro-scale observations of the structure of aerobic microbial granules used for the treatment of nutrient-rich industrial wastewater. ISME Journal, 2 (5), 528-541. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2008.12

Micro-scale observations of the structure of aerobic microbial granules used for the treatment of nutrient-rich industrial wastewater

2008

Journal Article

Demonstration of nitrogen removal via nitrite in a sequencing batch reactor treating domestic wastewater

Blackburne, Richard, Yuan, Zhiguo and Keller, Jurg (2008). Demonstration of nitrogen removal via nitrite in a sequencing batch reactor treating domestic wastewater. Water Research, 42 (8-9), 2166-2176. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.11.029

Demonstration of nitrogen removal via nitrite in a sequencing batch reactor treating domestic wastewater

2008

Journal Article

Characterisation of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers with controllable four-monomer composition

Yu Dai, Lambert, L., Yuan, Zhiguo and Keller, Jurg (2008). Characterisation of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers with controllable four-monomer composition. Journal of Biotechnology, 134 (1-2), 137-145. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2008.01.013

Characterisation of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers with controllable four-monomer composition

2008

Journal Article

Sequential anode-cathode configuration improves cathodic oxygen reduction and effluent quality of microbial fuel cells

Freguia, Stefano, Rabaey, Korneel, Yuan, Zhiguo and Keller, Jurg (2008). Sequential anode-cathode configuration improves cathodic oxygen reduction and effluent quality of microbial fuel cells. Water Research, 42 (6-7), 1387-1396. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.10.007

Sequential anode-cathode configuration improves cathodic oxygen reduction and effluent quality of microbial fuel cells

2008

Journal Article

Odour control by chemical dosing: a case study

de Haas, David, Sharma, Keshab R., Corrie, Shaun, O'Halloran, Kellie, Keller, Jurg and Yuan, Zhiguo (2008). Odour control by chemical dosing: a case study. Water, 35 (2), 138-143.

Odour control by chemical dosing: a case study

Availability

Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • 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

    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

    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

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Xueqin Zhang, Dr Bernardino Virdis

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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