Dr Peter Harris

Dr Peter Harris
NameDr Peter Harris
Email Addresspeter.harris@unisq.edu.au
Job TitleSenior Research Fellow (Energy and Bioresource Recycling)
QualificationsBBioSc USQ, BSc(Hons) USQ, PhD USQ
DepartmentCentre for Agricultural Engineering (Operations)
Centre for Agricultural Engineering (Research)
ORCIDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3970-9274
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Biography

Peter has been actively researching in value-adding to wastes since 2010. His expertise in anaerobic digestion (biogas) sits at the intersection of waste management, renewable energy and fertiliser production. Peter has extensive experience working with Australian agri-food industry and hopes to extend his expertise to remote Australian communities and developing nations.

Employment

PositionOrganisationFromTo
Post-Doctoral Research FellowUniversity of Southern Queensland2019
PhD studentUniversity of Southern Queensland20142018
Research assistantUniversity of Southern Queensland20102014

Expertise

Waste management; anaerobic digestion; biogas; composting; gasification; circular economy

Fields of Research

  • 300199. Agricultural biotechnology not elsewhere classified
  • 300210. Sustainable agricultural development
  • 300411. Fertilisers (incl. application)
  • 310603. Fermentation
  • 310799. Microbiology not elsewhere classified
  • 400410. Wastewater treatment processes
  • 401106. Waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling
BBioSc
USQ
2010
BSc(Hons)
USQ
2011
PhD
USQ
2018

Current Supervisions

Research TitleSupervisor TypeLevel of StudyCommenced
Decision tool for socially just, circular, and decarbonized metabolism of organic waste.Associate SupervisorDoctoral2025
Evaluating magnesium-impregnated biochar for nutrient recovery from human urine: Impacts on soil health and agronomic performancePrincipal SupervisorDoctoral2024
Development of fruit peel based bio-adsorbents and their potential application in removal of PFASsAssociate SupervisorDoctoral2023
Feasibility of food organics and garden organics (FOGO) collection in a Queensland regional community and closed-loop processing via smaller-scale aerobic composting.Associate SupervisorDoctoral2023

Completed Supervisions

Research TitleSupervisor TypeLevel of StudyCompleted
Environmental assessment and agronomic performance of biosolids-derived biochar in controlled environment studiesAssociate SupervisorDoctoral2024
Technoeconomic feasibility of integrated organics processing facilities with anaerobic digestion and composting for regional AustraliaAssociate SupervisorMasters2024
Microbial Electrochemical Sensor Systems for rapid measurement of Volatile Fatty Acid IntermediatesAssociate SupervisorDoctoral2023

Technical evaluation of steam sterilisation coupled with gasification to improve circularity of Australian hospital waste management: A case study

Harris, Peter and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2024. "Technical evaluation of steam sterilisation coupled with gasification to improve circularity of Australian hospital waste management: A case study." Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107680

Biochemical methane potential of dairy manure residues and separated fractions: An Australia-wide study of the impact of production and cleaning systems

Grell, Torben, Harris, Peter W., Marchuk, Serhiy, Jenkins, Sasha, McCabe, Bernadette K. and Tait, Stephan. 2024. "Biochemical methane potential of dairy manure residues and separated fractions: An Australia-wide study of the impact of production and cleaning systems." Bioresource Technology. 391 (Part A). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129903

Design and analysis of a low-cost potentiostat for application with microbial electrochemical sensors

Hill, Andrew, Tait, Stephan, Harris, Peter, Baillie, Craig, Virdis, Bernardino and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2023. "Design and analysis of a low-cost potentiostat for application with microbial electrochemical sensors." Electrochimica Acta. 468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2023.143201

Land Application of Biosolids-Derived Biochar in Australia: A Review

Sinha, Payel, Marchuk, Serhiy, Harris, Peter, Antille, Diogenes L. and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2023. "Land Application of Biosolids-Derived Biochar in Australia: A Review." Sustainability. 15 (14). https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410909

Food and Garden Organic Waste Management in Australia: Co-Benefits for Regional Communities and Local Government

Blanchard, Christine, Harris, Peter, Pocock, Celmara and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2023. "Food and Garden Organic Waste Management in Australia: Co-Benefits for Regional Communities and Local Government." Sustainability. 15 (13). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15139901

Biosolids-derived fertilisers: A review of challenges and opportunities

Marchuk, Serhiy, Tait, Stephan, Sinha, Payel, Harris, Peter, Antille, Diogenes L. and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2023. "Biosolids-derived fertilisers: A review of challenges and opportunities." Science of the Total Environment. 875, pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162555

Two-phase anaerobic digestion in leach bed reactors coupled to anaerobic filters: A review and the potential of biochar filters

Collins, B.A., Birzer, C.H., Harris, P.W., Kidd, S.P., McCabe, B.K. and Medwell, P.R.. 2023. "Two-phase anaerobic digestion in leach bed reactors coupled to anaerobic filters: A review and the potential of biochar filters ." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 175, pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113187

Field measurements of fugitive methane emissions from three Australian waste management and biogas facilities

Reinelt, Torsten, McCabe, Bernadette K., Hill, Andrew, Harris Peter, Baillie, Craig and Liebetrau, Jan. 2022. "Field measurements of fugitive methane emissions from three Australian waste management and biogas facilities ." Waste Management. 137, pp. 294-303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2021.11.012

An investigation into the mobility of heavy metals in soils amended with biosolids-derived biochar

Marchuk, Serhiy, Antille, Diogenes L., Sinha, Payel, Tuomi, Seija, Harris, Peter W. and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2021. "An investigation into the mobility of heavy metals in soils amended with biosolids-derived biochar." 2021 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting (ASABE 2021). 12 - 16 Jul 2021 United States. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. https://doi.org/10.13031/aim.202100103

Biogas recovery by anaerobic digestion of Australian agro-industry waste: a review

Tait, Stephan, Harris, Peter W. and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2021. "Biogas recovery by anaerobic digestion of Australian agro-industry waste: a review." Journal of Cleaner Production. 299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126876

Process optimisation of anaerobic digestion treating high-strength wastewater in the Australian red meat processing industry

Harris, Peter W. and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2020. "Process optimisation of anaerobic digestion treating high-strength wastewater in the Australian red meat processing industry." Applied Sciences. 10 (21), pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217947

Toward profitable and sustainable bioresource management in the Australian red meat processing industry: a critical review and illustrative case study

McCabe, Bernadette K., Harris, Peter W., Antille, Diogenes, Schmidt, Thomas, Lee, Seonmi, Hill, Andrew and Baillie, Craig. 2020. "Toward profitable and sustainable bioresource management in the Australian red meat processing industry: a critical review and illustrative case study." Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology. 50 (22), pp. 2415-2439. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2020.1712310

Investigating the impact of seasonal temperature variation on biogas production from covered anaerobic lagoons treating slaughterhouse wastewater using lab scale studies

Schmidt, Thomas, Harris, Peter, Lee, Seonmi and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2019. "Investigating the impact of seasonal temperature variation on biogas production from covered anaerobic lagoons treating slaughterhouse wastewater using lab scale studies." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 7 (3), pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2019.103077

Ensiling fermentation reveals pre-treatment effects for anaerobic digestion of sugarcane biomass: an assessment of ensiling additives on methane potential

Janke, Leandro, McCabe, Bernadette Kathleen, Harris, Peter, Hill, Andrew, Lee, Seonmi, Weinrich, Soren, Marchuk, Serhiy and Baillie, Craig. 2019. "Ensiling fermentation reveals pre-treatment effects for anaerobic digestion of sugarcane biomass: an assessment of ensiling additives on methane potential." Bioresource Technology. 279, pp. 398-403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.01.143

Preserving sugarcane trash for year-round biogas production: effects of additives on ensiling properties and methane potential

Janke, L, McCabe, BK, Hill, A, Lee, S, Harris, P, Marchuk, S and Baillie, C. 2019. "Preserving sugarcane trash for year-round biogas production: effects of additives on ensiling properties and methane potential." 41st Annual Conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ASSCT 2019). Toowoomba, Australia 30 Apr - 03 May 2019 Australia.

Biogas in the suburbs: an untapped source of clean energy?

Alexander, Samuel, Harris, Peter and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2019. "Biogas in the suburbs: an untapped source of clean energy?" Journal of Cleaner Production. 215, pp. 1025-1035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.118

Bioenergy and bioproducts in the Australian red meat processing industry: a case study

McCabe, Bernadette K., Harris, Peter W., Schmidt, Thomas, Antille, Diogenes L., Lee, Seonmi, Hill, Andrew and Baillie, Craig P.. 2018. "Bioenergy and bioproducts in the Australian red meat processing industry: a case study." 2018 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting (ASABE 2018). Detroit, United States 29 Jul - 01 Aug 2018 St. Joseph, United States. https://doi.org/10.13031/aim.201800980

Effect of trace element addition and increasing organic loading rates on the anaerobic digestion of cattle slaughterhouse wastewater

Schmidt, Thomas, McCabe, Bernadette, Harris, Peter and Lee, Seonmi. 2018. "Effect of trace element addition and increasing organic loading rates on the anaerobic digestion of cattle slaughterhouse wastewater." Bioresource Technology. 264 (September), pp. 51-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2018.05.050

Impact of thermobaric pre-treatment on the continuous anaerobic digestion of high-fat cattle slaughterhouse waste

Harris, Peter W., Schmidt, Thomas and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2018. "Impact of thermobaric pre-treatment on the continuous anaerobic digestion of high-fat cattle slaughterhouse waste." Biochemical Engineering Journal. 134, pp. 108-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2018.03.007

Process Monitoring and Control for an Anaerobic Covered Lagoon Treating Abattoir Wastewater

Schmidt, Thomas, McCabe, Bernadette and Harris, Peter. 2018. "Process Monitoring and Control for an Anaerobic Covered Lagoon Treating Abattoir Wastewater." Chemical Engineering and Technology. 41 (4), pp. 755-760. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.201700391

Bovine bile as a bio-surfactant pre-treatment option for anaerobic digestion of high-fat cattle slaughterhouse waste

Harris, Peter W., Schmidt, Thomas and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2018. "Bovine bile as a bio-surfactant pre-treatment option for anaerobic digestion of high-fat cattle slaughterhouse waste." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 6 (1), pp. 444-450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2017.12.034

Evaluation of chemical, thermobaric and thermochemical pre-treatment on anaerobic digestion of high-fat cattle slaughterhouse waste

Harris, Peter W., Schmidt, Thomas and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2017. "Evaluation of chemical, thermobaric and thermochemical pre-treatment on anaerobic digestion of high-fat cattle slaughterhouse waste." Bioresource Technology. 244 (1), pp. 605-610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.07.179

Anaerobic digestion of pre-treated slaughterhouse waste

Harris, Peter William. 2017. Anaerobic digestion of pre-treated slaughterhouse waste. PhD Thesis Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland. https://doi.org/10.26192/5c05b8dbd30c7

Review of pre-treatments used in anaerobic digestion and their potential application in high-fat cattle slaughterhouse wastewater

Harris, Peter W. and McCabe, Bernadette K.. 2015. "Review of pre-treatments used in anaerobic digestion and their potential application in high-fat cattle slaughterhouse wastewater." Applied Energy. 155, pp. 560-575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.06.026

A case study for biogas generation from covered anaerobic ponds treating abattoir wastewater: investigation of pond performance and potential biogas production

McCabe, Bernadette K., Hamawand, Ihsan, Harris, Peter, Baillie, Craig and Yusaf, Talal. 2014. "A case study for biogas generation from covered anaerobic ponds treating abattoir wastewater: investigation of pond performance and potential biogas production." Applied Energy. 114, pp. 798-808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.10.020

Assessing a new approach to covered anaerobic pond design in the treatment of abattoir wastewater

McCabe, B. K., Harris, P., Baillie, C., Pittaway, P. and Yusaf, T.. 2013. "Assessing a new approach to covered anaerobic pond design in the treatment of abattoir wastewater." Australian Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Engineering. 10 (1), pp. 81-93. https://doi.org/10.7158/N12-AE07.2013.10.1.

Monitoring the performance of covered anaerobic ponds in the treatment of abattoir waste

McCabe, B. K., Pittaway, P., Baillie, C. and Harris, P.. 2011. "Monitoring the performance of covered anaerobic ponds in the treatment of abattoir waste." Banhazi, T., Saunders, C. and Hegarty, R. (ed.) SEAg 2011: Diverse Challenges, Innovative Solutions. Gold Coast, Australia 29 - 30 Sep 2011 Canberra, Australia.

Growth and characterisation of Chlorella vulgaris under increased lipid culture regimes

Harris, Peter, McCabe, Bernadette K. and Pittaway, Pam. 2010. "Growth and characterisation of Chlorella vulgaris under increased lipid culture regimes." Goh, Steven C. and Wang, Hao (ed.) 2010 Southern Region Engineering Conference (SREC 2010). Toowoomba, Australia 11 - 12 Nov 2010 Toowoomba, Australia.