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)

721 - 740 of 805 works

2005

Book

Instrumentation, Control and Automation in Wastewater Systems

Olsson, G, Nielsen, M.K, Yuan, Z., Lynggaard-Jensen, A and Steyer, J (2005). Instrumentation, Control and Automation in Wastewater Systems. 1 ed. London: IWA Publishing.

Instrumentation, Control and Automation in Wastewater Systems

2005

Conference Publication

The microbial community dynamics in a simultaneous nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal bioreactor using different carbon sources

Lemaire, R. L., Meyer, R. L., Crocetti, G., Zeng, R. J., Yuan, Z., Blackall, L. L. and Keller, J. (2005). The microbial community dynamics in a simultaneous nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal bioreactor using different carbon sources. 4th IWA Activated Sludge Population Dynamics Specialist Conference - Microbial Population Dynamics in Biological Wastewater Treatment (ASPD4), Gold Coast, 17-20 July 2005. Brisbane: AWMC.

The microbial community dynamics in a simultaneous nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal bioreactor using different carbon sources

2005

Journal Article

The effect of pH on the competition between polyphosphate-accumulating organisms and glycogen-accumulating organisms

Oehmen, A, Vives, MT, Lu, HB, Yuan, ZG and Keller, J (2005). The effect of pH on the competition between polyphosphate-accumulating organisms and glycogen-accumulating organisms. Water Research, 39 (15), 3727-3737. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2005.06.031

The effect of pH on the competition between polyphosphate-accumulating organisms and glycogen-accumulating organisms

2005

Conference Publication

A novel approach to support optimal H2S management in sewer systems.

Yuan, Z., Sharma, K. R. and Keller, J. (2005). A novel approach to support optimal H2S management in sewer systems.. Ozwater Watershed - The Turning Point for Water, Brisbane, 8-12 May 2005. Sydney: AWA.

A novel approach to support optimal H2S management in sewer systems.

2005

Conference Publication

Effects of solids concentration, pH and carbon addition on the production rate and composition of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in prefermenters.

Zeng, R. J., Yuan, Z. and Keller, J. (2005). Effects of solids concentration, pH and carbon addition on the production rate and composition of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in prefermenters.. 4th International Sumposium - Anaerobic Digestion of Solid Was, Copenhagen, 31 Aug - 2 Sept 2005. Denmark: IWA.

Effects of solids concentration, pH and carbon addition on the production rate and composition of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in prefermenters.

2005

Conference Publication

Avoiding partial denitrification through external carbon addition

McMurray, S. H., Yuan, Z. and Keller, J. (2005). Avoiding partial denitrification through external carbon addition. Ozwater Watershed - The Turning Point for Water, Brisbane, 8-12 May 2005. Sydney: AWA.

Avoiding partial denitrification through external carbon addition

2005

Journal Article

Comparison of acetate and propionate uptake by polyphosphate accumulating organisms and glycogen accumulating organisms

Oehmen, A, Yuan, ZG, Blackall, LL and Keller, J (2005). Comparison of acetate and propionate uptake by polyphosphate accumulating organisms and glycogen accumulating organisms. Biotechnology And Bioengineering, 91 (2), 162-168. doi: 10.1002/bit.20500

Comparison of acetate and propionate uptake by polyphosphate accumulating organisms and glycogen accumulating organisms

2005

Conference Publication

Assessing six external carbon dosage control strategies for improving denitrification using a simulation benchmark model.

Yuan, Z. (2005). Assessing six external carbon dosage control strategies for improving denitrification using a simulation benchmark model.. The 2nd IWA Conference on Instrumentation, Control and Automa, Busan, Korea, 29 May - 2 June 2005. Korea: IWA.

Assessing six external carbon dosage control strategies for improving denitrification using a simulation benchmark model.

2004

Conference Publication

Targeted polyhydroxyalkanoates production using glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs)

Dai, Y., Yuan, Z., Zeng, R. J. and Keller, J. (2004). Targeted polyhydroxyalkanoates production using glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs). International Symposium on Biological Polyesters (2004), Beijing, China, 22-27 August 2004. Beijing, China: ISBP.

Targeted polyhydroxyalkanoates production using glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs)

2004

Conference Publication

A novel wastewater treatment process: Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal

Zeng, R. J., Lemaire, R., Yuan, Z. and Keller, J. (2004). A novel wastewater treatment process: Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal. 3rd IWA Specialised Conference on Sequencing Batch Reactor Technology (SBR3), Noosa, Brisbane, Australia, 22-26 February 2004. London, United Kingdom: IWA Publishing.

A novel wastewater treatment process: Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal

2004

Conference Publication

Selective production of nitrite using hydroxylamine as inhibitor of nitrite oxidation.

Blackburne, R. J., de Sousa Carvalho, G., Yuan, Z. and Keller, J. (2004). Selective production of nitrite using hydroxylamine as inhibitor of nitrite oxidation.. IWA Conference on Environmental Biotechnology: Advancement on Water and Wastewater Application in the Tropics, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9 -10 December 2003. London, United Kingdom: IWA Publishing.

Selective production of nitrite using hydroxylamine as inhibitor of nitrite oxidation.

2004

Conference Publication

The rate of nitrate production during a two-stage nitrification batch reaction

Pratt, S., Gapes, D., Yuan, Z. and Keller, J. (2004). The rate of nitrate production during a two-stage nitrification batch reaction. 3rd IWA Specialised Conference on Sequencing Batch Reactor Technology (SBR3), Noosa, Australia, 22-26 February 2004. London, U.K.: IWA Publishing; Portland Press.

The rate of nitrate production during a two-stage nitrification batch reaction

2004

Conference Publication

Performance of enchanced biological phosphorus removal systems enriched with different volatile acid.

Oehmen, A. M., Yuan, Z., Zeng, R. J. and Keller, J. (2004). Performance of enchanced biological phosphorus removal systems enriched with different volatile acid.. International Water Association 2nd Young Researchers Conference, Waginingen, Netherlands, 23-24 April 2004. London: IWA.

Performance of enchanced biological phosphorus removal systems enriched with different volatile acid.

2004

Journal Article

Modelling aerobic carbon oxidation and storage by integrating respirometric, titimetric and off-gas CO2 measurements

Pratt, Steven, Yuan, Zhiguo and Keller, Jurg (2004). Modelling aerobic carbon oxidation and storage by integrating respirometric, titimetric and off-gas CO2 measurements. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 88 (2), 135-147. doi: 10.1002/bit.20199

Modelling aerobic carbon oxidation and storage by integrating respirometric, titimetric and off-gas CO2 measurements

2004

Conference Publication

Achieving optimal operating conditions for nitrogen removal using on-line sensors and control

Yuan, Z. and Keller, J. (2004). Achieving optimal operating conditions for nitrogen removal using on-line sensors and control. 2nd IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Treats, Prague, Czech Republic, 1-4 June 2004. London: IWA.

Achieving optimal operating conditions for nitrogen removal using on-line sensors and control

2004

Conference Publication

Integration of titrimetric measurement, off-gas analysis and NOx - biosensors to investigate the complexity of denitrification processes

McMurray, S. H., Meyer, R. L., Zeng, R. J., Yuan, Z. and Keller, J. (2004). Integration of titrimetric measurement, off-gas analysis and NOx - biosensors to investigate the complexity of denitrification processes. 2nd International IWA Conference on Automation in Water Quality Monitoring (AutMoNet 2004), Vienna, Austria, 19-20 April 2004. London, U.K.: IWA Publishing; Portland Press.

Integration of titrimetric measurement, off-gas analysis and NOx - biosensors to investigate the complexity of denitrification processes

2004

Conference Publication

Modelling aerobic carbon oxidation and storage by integrating respirometric, titrimetric and off-gas CO2 measurements

Yuan, Z., Pratt, S., Zeng, R. and Keller, J. (2004). Modelling aerobic carbon oxidation and storage by integrating respirometric, titrimetric and off-gas CO2 measurements. 6th International Symposium on systems Analysis and Integrated Assessment in Water Management, Beijing, China, 3rd- 5th November, 2004.

Modelling aerobic carbon oxidation and storage by integrating respirometric, titrimetric and off-gas CO2 measurements

2004

Conference Publication

Integrated control of nitrate recirculation and external carbon addition in a predenitrification system

Yuan, Z and Keller, J (2004). Integrated control of nitrate recirculation and external carbon addition in a predenitrification system. United Kingdom: IWA Publishing. doi: 10.2166/wst.2004.0876

Integrated control of nitrate recirculation and external carbon addition in a predenitrification system

2004

Book Chapter

Performance of enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems enriched with different volatile fatty acids

Oehmen, Adrian, Yuan, Zhiguo, Zeng, Raymond J. and Keller, Jurg (2004). Performance of enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems enriched with different volatile fatty acids. Young researchers 2004. (pp. 69-78) edited by Richard Steutz and Piet Lens. London, U.K.: IWA Publishing.

Performance of enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems enriched with different volatile fatty acids

2004

Journal Article

Short-term effects of carbon source on the competition of polyphosphate accumulating organisms and glycogen accumulating organisms

Oehmen, A., Yuan, Z., Blackall, L. L. and Keller, J. (2004). Short-term effects of carbon source on the competition of polyphosphate accumulating organisms and glycogen accumulating organisms. Water Science And Technology, 50 (10), 139-144. doi: 10.2166/wst.2004.0629

Short-term effects of carbon source on the competition of polyphosphate accumulating organisms and glycogen accumulating organisms

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

Need help?

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

communications@uq.edu.au