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)

681 - 700 of 805 works

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

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

2007

Journal Article

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

Lemos, P. C., Dai, Y., Yuan, Z., Keller, J., Santos, H. and Reis, M. A. M. (2007). Elucidation of metabolic pathways in glycogen-accumulating organisms with in vivo C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance. Environmental Microbiology, 9 (11), 2694-2706. doi: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2007.01382.x

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

2007

Journal Article

Advances in enhanced biological phosphorus removal: from micro to macro scale

Oehmen, A. M., Lemos, P. C., Carvalho, G., Yuan, Z., Keller, J., Blackall, L. L. and Reis, M. A. M. (2007). Advances in enhanced biological phosphorus removal: from micro to macro scale. Water Research, 41 (11), 2271-2300. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.02.030

Advances in enhanced biological phosphorus removal: from micro to macro scale

2007

Conference Publication

In Situ Monitoring of Dissolved Sulphide in Sewer Systems

Sutherland-Stacey, L., Corrie, S., Neethling, A. L., Johnson, I., Gutierrez, O. G., Dexter, R., Yuan, Z., Keller, J. and Hamilton, G. (2007). In Situ Monitoring of Dissolved Sulphide in Sewer Systems. OzWater 2007, Sydney, 4-8 March, 2007. Sydney: Australian Water Association (AWA).

In Situ Monitoring of Dissolved Sulphide in Sewer Systems

2007

Journal Article

Electron and carbon balances in microbial fuel cells reveal temporary bacterial storage behaviour during electricity generation

Freguia, S., Rabaey, K., Yuan, Z. and Keller, J. (2007). Electron and carbon balances in microbial fuel cells reveal temporary bacterial storage behaviour during electricity generation. Environmental Science and Technology, 41 (8), 2915-2921. doi: 10.1021/es062611i

Electron and carbon balances in microbial fuel cells reveal temporary bacterial storage behaviour during electricity generation

2007

Journal Article

Effectiveness of an alternating aerobic, anoxic/anaerobic strategy for maintaining biomass activity of BNR sludge during long-term starvation

Yilmaz, Gulsum, Lemaire, Romain, Keller, Jurg and Yuan, Zhiguo (2007). Effectiveness of an alternating aerobic, anoxic/anaerobic strategy for maintaining biomass activity of BNR sludge during long-term starvation. Water Research, 41 (12), 2590-2598. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.02.011

Effectiveness of an alternating aerobic, anoxic/anaerobic strategy for maintaining biomass activity of BNR sludge during long-term starvation

2007

Journal Article

Anaerobic metabolism of Defluviicoccus vanus Related Glycogen Accumulating Organisms (GAOs)with Acetate and Propionate as Carbon Sources

Dai, Y., Yuan, Z., Wang, X., Oehmen, A. and Keller, J. (2007). Anaerobic metabolism of Defluviicoccus vanus Related Glycogen Accumulating Organisms (GAOs)with Acetate and Propionate as Carbon Sources. Water Research, 41 (9), 1885-1896. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.01.045

Anaerobic metabolism of Defluviicoccus vanus Related Glycogen Accumulating Organisms (GAOs)with Acetate and Propionate as Carbon Sources

2007

Conference Publication

Free ammonia and free nitrous acid inhibition on the anabolic and catabolic processes of nitrosomonas and nitrobacter

Vadivelu, V. M., Keller, J. and Yuan, Z. (2007). Free ammonia and free nitrous acid inhibition on the anabolic and catabolic processes of nitrosomonas and nitrobacter. 4th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies, Singapore, Singapore, 3-6 June 2007. Singapore: International Water Association.

Free ammonia and free nitrous acid inhibition on the anabolic and catabolic processes of nitrosomonas and nitrobacter

2007

Conference Publication

Removal and fate of aqueous sulfide in an electrochemical fuel cell

Dutta, P., Rabaey, K., Yuan, Z. and Keller, J. (2007). Removal and fate of aqueous sulfide in an electrochemical fuel cell. 11th IWA World Congress on Anaerobic Digestion, Brisbane, Australia, 23-27 September, 2007.

Removal and fate of aqueous sulfide in an electrochemical fuel cell

2007

Journal Article

Free ammonia and free nitrous acid inhibition on the anabolic and catabolic processes of nitrosomonas and nitrobacter

Vadivelu, V. M., Keller, J. and Yuan, Z. (2007). Free ammonia and free nitrous acid inhibition on the anabolic and catabolic processes of nitrosomonas and nitrobacter. Water science and technology, 56 (7), 89-97. doi: 10.2166/wst.2007.612

Free ammonia and free nitrous acid inhibition on the anabolic and catabolic processes of nitrosomonas and nitrobacter

2007

Conference Publication

Metabolic model for the aerobic metabolism of polyphosphate accumulating organisms with a propionate carbon source

Oehmen, A., Zeng, R., Keller, J. and Yuan, Z. (2007). Metabolic model for the aerobic metabolism of polyphosphate accumulating organisms with a propionate carbon source. Nutrient Removal 2007: The state of the art, Maryland, USA, 4-7 March, 2007. Maryland: IWA-International Water Association.

Metabolic model for the aerobic metabolism of polyphosphate accumulating organisms with a propionate carbon source

2006

Journal Article

Obtaining highly enriched cultures of candidatus accumulibacter phosphates through alternating carbon sources

Lu, Huabing, Oehmen, Adrian M., Virdis, Bernardino, Keller, Jürg and Yuan, Zhiguo (2006). Obtaining highly enriched cultures of candidatus accumulibacter phosphates through alternating carbon sources. Water Research, 40 (20), 3838-3848. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2006.09.004

Obtaining highly enriched cultures of candidatus accumulibacter phosphates through alternating carbon sources

2006

Journal Article

Differential distribution of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidising bacteria in flocs and granules from a nitrifying/denitrifying sequencing batch reactor

de Sousa Carvalho, G., Meyer, R. L., Yuan, Z. and Keller, J. (2006). Differential distribution of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidising bacteria in flocs and granules from a nitrifying/denitrifying sequencing batch reactor. Enzyme And Microbial Technology, 39 (7), 1392-1398. doi: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2006.03.024

Differential distribution of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidising bacteria in flocs and granules from a nitrifying/denitrifying sequencing batch reactor

2006

Conference Publication

Elucidation of glycogen-accumulating organisms by in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance

Lemos, C., Dai, Y., Yuan, Z., Santos, H., Keller, J. and Reis, M. A. M. (2006). Elucidation of glycogen-accumulating organisms by in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance. 11th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology - ISME 11, Vienna, Austria, 20-25 August 2006. Switzerland: Kenes International.

Elucidation of glycogen-accumulating organisms by in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance

2006

Conference Publication

Spatial variation in anaerobic biofilm structure and activity along a rising main in sewer systems

Mohanakrishnan, J., Sharma, K. R., Gutierrez, O., Meyer, R. L., Hamilton, G., Keller, J. and Yuan, Z. (2006). Spatial variation in anaerobic biofilm structure and activity along a rising main in sewer systems. International Water Association Conference on Biofilm Systems VI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 24-27 September 2006.

Spatial variation in anaerobic biofilm structure and activity along a rising main in sewer systems

2006

Journal Article

Feasibility of controlling nitrification in predenitrification plants using DO, pH and ORP sensors

Ma, Y, Peng, Y, Yuan, Z, Wang, S and Wu, X (2006). Feasibility of controlling nitrification in predenitrification plants using DO, pH and ORP sensors. Water Science and Technology, 53 (4-5), 235-243. doi: 10.2166/wst.2006.128

Feasibility of controlling nitrification in predenitrification plants using DO, pH and ORP sensors

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

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au