Current Research Interests

My research focuses on developing a series of novel sustainable technologies for water and wastewater treatment and reuse which includes: (i) membrane technologies and hybrid systems for water reuse and desalination, (ii) high rate solid liquid separation technologies for package water treatment systems, (iii) advanced oxidation, photocatalysis, biofiltration for persistent organic removal, (iv) appropriate technologies for specific pollutant removal from water. (v) development of mathematical models for simulating and optimising treatment systems and their operation.

Research Expertise

• Membrane technology in water, waste water recycle and desalination
• Advanced oxidation inc photocatalyst of persisting organic pollutants (POP)
• Physico-chemical processes for POP and contaminant irridiation

Recent Professional Experience

• Professor and Head, Environmental Engineering Group, Faculty of Engineering, UTS (1996-2000),
• Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of Environmental Engineering Program (1990-1996),
• Chairman and Associate Professor of Environmental Program Division,  Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) (1986-1990),
• Visiting Faculty Member, Department of Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, USA (1985-1986),
• Assistant Professor, Asian Institute of Technology,  AIT (1981-1985),
• Post Doctoral Fellow, University of Montpellier, France (1981),
• Coordinator of University Key Research Strength on Water and Environmental Management (1997 – 2000),
• Honorary Visiting Professor, UNESCO Center for Membrane Technology, UNSW 1997-1998

Academic Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) (University of Sri Lanka, Peradeniya) 1975,
• MSc (AIT, Thailand) 1978,
• D. Eng  (Montpellier, France) 1980,
• DSc (Toulouse, France) 1987. 

Professional Society Memberships

• Member and Charted Practicing Engineer of Institution of Engineers, Australia,
• Member of Australian Water Association (AWA) and International Water Association (IWA),
• Fellow of the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers 

Publications Summary

Published more than 300 publications including 3 books on membranes and water treatment.

1. Vigneswaran, S. and Ben Aim, R. (1985) Effect of Size Distribution of Particles in Deep Bed Filtration, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Journal, Vol. 31, No. 1.
2. Vigneswaran, S.; Thiyagaram, M. and Ben Aim, R. (1985) Mathematical Modelling of Radial Flow Filtration and its Application to Artificial Recharge Problems, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Journal, Vol. 31, No. 11, 1929-1935.
3. Vigneswaran, S. and Tien, C. (1987) Transient behaviour of Deep Bed Filtration of Brownian Particles, Journal of Chemical Engineering Science, U.S.A., V. 42, No. 11, 2729-2739.
4. Vigneswaran, S. and Sauzo, R.B. (1987) A Detailed Investigation of Physical and Biological Clogging During Artificial Recharge, Journal of Water, Air and Soil Pollution (International Journal of Environmental Pollution, U.S.A.), V. 35, 119-140.
5. *Vigneswaran, S, Boonthanon, S and Prashanthi, H. (1996), Filter Backwash Water Treatment using Crossflow Microfiltration, Desalination, USA, 106, 31-38.
6. Vigneswaran, S, and Moon, H. (1999). Phosphorus Removal by Slag: Experiments and Modelling, in Adsorption and its Application in Industry and Environmental production, Dabrowski, A (Editor), Elsevier Press, Netherland, Volume II, 18, 533.
7. *Vigneswaran, S., Kwon, D. Y., Ngo, H. H and J. Y. Hu (2000). Improvement of microfiltration performance in water treatment: Is critical flux, a viable solution?. J. Water Science and Technology, Vol. 41, 10-11, 309-315.
8. *Vigneswaran, H. H. Ngo, D. S. Chaudhary and Y. T. Hung (2005). Physico-chemical processes for water reuse, Book Chapter in “Physicochemical treatment processes for Water Supply and Pollution Control”, Ch 18, Humana Press Inc., NJ, USA.
9. *H. K.  Shon, S. Vigneswaran, R. Ben Aim, H. H. Ngo, In S. Kim, and J. Cho (2005) Influence of flocculation and adsorption as pretreatment on the fouling of ultrafiltration and nanofiltration membranes: application with biologically treated sewage effluent. Environmental Science and Technology, 39 (10), 3864-3871.
10. V. Jegatheesan, and S. Vigneswaran (2005) Deep Bed Filtration: Mathematical Models and Observations. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 35:515–569.