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)

661 - 680 of 805 works

2008

Journal Article

Cultivation and characteristic of aerobic granular sludge enriched by phosphorus accumulating organisms

You, Y., Peng, Y.-Z., Yuan, Z.-G., Li, X.-Y. and Peng, Y.-Z. (2008). Cultivation and characteristic of aerobic granular sludge enriched by phosphorus accumulating organisms. Huanjing Kexue/Environmental Science, 29 (8), 2242-2248.

Cultivation and characteristic of aerobic granular sludge enriched by phosphorus accumulating organisms

2008

Conference Publication

A Step Forward to Minimise Odour and Pipe Corrosion: A Model-Based Case Study

Yuan, Zhiguo (2008). A Step Forward to Minimise Odour and Pipe Corrosion: A Model-Based Case Study. Australasian Water and Sewer Systems Modelling Seminar, Nerang, 1-2 April, 2008. Brisbane: Australian Water Association.

A Step Forward to Minimise Odour and Pipe Corrosion: A Model-Based Case Study

2008

Conference Publication

Reductive colourization of azo dye in microbial fuel cell

Mu, Yang, Rabaey, Korneel, Keller, Jurg and Yuan, Zhiguo (2008). Reductive colourization of azo dye in microbial fuel cell. AWA/IWA Australian Young Water Professionals Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 4-6 February, 2008. Brisbane, Australia: IWA.

Reductive colourization of azo dye in microbial fuel cell

2008

Journal Article

Partial nitrification to nitrite using low dissolved oxygen concentration as the main selection factor

Blackburne, Richard, Yuan, Zhiguo and Keller, Jurg (2008). Partial nitrification to nitrite using low dissolved oxygen concentration as the main selection factor. Biodegradation, 19 (2), 303-312. doi: 10.1007/s10532-007-9136-4

Partial nitrification to nitrite using low dissolved oxygen concentration as the main selection factor

2008

Conference Publication

Simultaneous Nitrification, Denitrification, and Phosphorus Removal From Nutrient-Rich Industrial Wastewater Using Granular Sludge. [Short Platform Presentation]

Lemaire, Romain, Gulsum, Yilmaz, Keller, Jurg and Yuan, Zhiguo (2008). Simultaneous Nitrification, Denitrification, and Phosphorus Removal From Nutrient-Rich Industrial Wastewater Using Granular Sludge. [Short Platform Presentation]. IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition, Vienna, Austria, 7-12 September 2008. Vienna, Austria: International Water Association.

Simultaneous Nitrification, Denitrification, and Phosphorus Removal From Nutrient-Rich Industrial Wastewater Using Granular Sludge. [Short Platform Presentation]

2008

Conference Publication

Short term effect of carbon source to phosphorus release in enhanced biological phosphorus removal process

Hou, H., Wang, S., Peng, Y., Wang, G., Yuan, Z. and Wang, Y. (2008). Short term effect of carbon source to phosphorus release in enhanced biological phosphorus removal process. 2nd International Conference on Asian-European Environmental Technology and Knowledge Transfer, Hefei, China, 5-6 June 2008. Hefei, China: Hefei University.

Short term effect of carbon source to phosphorus release in enhanced biological phosphorus removal process

2008

Journal Article

Nitrite effectively inhibits sulfide and methane production in a laboratory scale sewer reactor

Janani Mohanakrishnan, Gutierrez, Oriol G., Meyer, R.L. and Yuan, Zhiguo (2008). Nitrite effectively inhibits sulfide and methane production in a laboratory scale sewer reactor. Water Research, 42 (14), 3961-3971. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.07.001

Nitrite effectively inhibits sulfide and methane production in a laboratory scale sewer reactor

2008

Conference Publication

Biological nutrient removal from abattoir wastewater using combined aerobic granular sludge and biofilm SBRs: improvement to the 2-sludge 3-stage concept

Crystal Zhou, Pijuan Vilalta, Maite and Yuan, Zhiguo (2008). Biological nutrient removal from abattoir wastewater using combined aerobic granular sludge and biofilm SBRs: improvement to the 2-sludge 3-stage concept. 4th Sequencing Batch Reactor Conference, Rome, Italy, 7-10 April, 2008. Rome, Italy: IWA.

Biological nutrient removal from abattoir wastewater using combined aerobic granular sludge and biofilm SBRs: improvement to the 2-sludge 3-stage concept

2008

Journal Article

Continuous measurement of dissolved sulfide in sewer systems

Sutherland-Stacey, L., Corrie, S., Neethling, A., Johnson, I., Dexter, R., Yuan, Zhiguo, Keller, Jurg, Hamilton, G. and Gutierrez, O. (2008). Continuous measurement of dissolved sulfide in sewer systems. Water Science And Technology, 57 (3), 375-381. doi: 10.2166/wst.2008.132

Continuous measurement of dissolved sulfide in sewer systems

2008

Conference Publication

Preliminary assessment of methane emission from sewers as a greenhouse gas

Guisasola, Albert, Sharma, Keshab R., de Haas, David, Keller, Jurg and Yuan, Zhiguo (2008). Preliminary assessment of methane emission from sewers as a greenhouse gas. 6th IWA World Water Congress, Vienna, Austria, 7-12 September 2008. London, U.K.: IWA.

Preliminary assessment of methane emission from sewers as a greenhouse gas

2007

Journal Article

Modeling the aerobic metabolism of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms enriched with propionate as a carbon source

Oehmen, Adrian, Zeng, Raymond J., Keller, Jurg and Yuan, Zhiguo (2007). Modeling the aerobic metabolism of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms enriched with propionate as a carbon source. Water Environment Research, 79 (13), 2477-2486. doi: 10.1002/j.1554-7531.2007.tb00347.x

Modeling the aerobic metabolism of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms enriched with propionate as a carbon source

2007

Journal Article

Kinetic characterisation of an enriched Nitrospira culture with comparison to Nitrobacter

Blackburne, Richard J., Vadivelu, Vel M., Yuan, Zhiguo and Keller, Jurg (2007). Kinetic characterisation of an enriched Nitrospira culture with comparison to Nitrobacter. Water Research, 41 (14), 3033-3042. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.01.043

Kinetic characterisation of an enriched Nitrospira culture with comparison to Nitrobacter

2007

Journal Article

Production of Targeted Poly (3-hydroxyalkanoates) Copolymers by Glycogen Accumulating Organisms Using Acetate as Sole Carbon Source

Dai, Yu, Yuan, Zhiguo, Jack, Kevin and Keller, Jurg (2007). Production of Targeted Poly (3-hydroxyalkanoates) Copolymers by Glycogen Accumulating Organisms Using Acetate as Sole Carbon Source. Journal of biotechnology, 129 (3), 489-497. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2007.01.036

Production of Targeted Poly (3-hydroxyalkanoates) Copolymers by Glycogen Accumulating Organisms Using Acetate as Sole Carbon Source

2007

Journal Article

Determination of growth rate and yield of nitrifying bacteria by measuring carbon dioxide uptake rate

Blackburne, R. J., Vadivelu, V. M., Yuan, Z. and Keller, J. (2007). Determination of growth rate and yield of nitrifying bacteria by measuring carbon dioxide uptake rate. Water Environment Research, 79 (12), 2437-2445. doi: 10.2175/106143007X212139

Determination of growth rate and yield of nitrifying bacteria by measuring carbon dioxide uptake rate

2007

Journal Article

Non-catalyzed cathodic oxygen reduction at graphite granules in Microbial Fuel Cells

Freguia, Stefano, Rabaey, Korneel, Yuan, Zhiguo and Keller, Jürg (2007). Non-catalyzed cathodic oxygen reduction at graphite granules in Microbial Fuel Cells. Electrochimica Acta, 53 (2), 598-603. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2007.07.037

Non-catalyzed cathodic oxygen reduction at graphite granules in Microbial Fuel Cells

2007

Journal Article

Effect of free ammonia on the respiration and growth processes of an enriched Nitrobacter culture

Vadivelu, Vel M., Keller, Jurg and Yuan, Zhiguo (2007). Effect of free ammonia on the respiration and growth processes of an enriched Nitrobacter culture. Water Research, 41 (4), 826-834. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2006.11.030

Effect of free ammonia on the respiration and growth processes of an enriched Nitrobacter culture

2007

Conference Publication

Aerobic granular sludge: breaking the sludge barrier

Yilmaz, G., Lemaire, R., Keller, J. and Yuan, Z. (2007). Aerobic granular sludge: breaking the sludge barrier. OzWater 2007, Sydney, 4-8 March, 2007. Sydney: Australian Water Association (AWA).

Aerobic granular sludge: breaking the sludge barrier

2007

Conference Publication

Elucidation of metabolic pathways of glycogen accumulating organisms with in vivo 13C nuclear magnetic resonance

Lemos, P.C., Dai, Y., Yuan, Z., Santos, H., Keller, J. and Reis, M. A. M. (2007). Elucidation of metabolic pathways of glycogen accumulating organisms with in vivo 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. 4th IWA Leading-edge conference and exhibition on water and wastewater technologies, City of Singapore, Singapore, 3-6 June, 2007. International Water Association.

Elucidation of metabolic pathways of glycogen accumulating organisms with in vivo 13C nuclear magnetic resonance

2007

Conference Publication

A comprehensive model to investigate microbial fuel cells

Rodriguez, J., Batstone, D. J., Yuan, Z. and Rabaey, K. (2007). A comprehensive model to investigate microbial fuel cells. AD11: 11th IWA Specialist Conference on Anaerobic Digestion - Bio-energy for our Future, Brisbane, 23-27 September, 2007. Brisbane: International Water Association.

A comprehensive model to investigate microbial fuel cells

2007

Conference Publication

Biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal using granular sludge from anaerobically pre-treated abattoir wastewater

Yilmaz, G., Lemaire, R., Keller, J. and Yuan, Z. (2007). Biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal using granular sludge from anaerobically pre-treated abattoir wastewater. OzWater 2007, Sydney, Australia, 4-8 March, 2007. Artarmon, Australia: Australian Water Association.

Biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal using granular sludge from anaerobically pre-treated abattoir wastewater

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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