Reactivity and Structural Evolution of Coke under Hydrogen Enriched Top Gas Recycling Blast Furnace Conditions

To realise the sustainable development of the blast furnace ironmaking process under increasingly stringent global carbon emission regulations, major technological breakthroughs must be made to realise higher efficiency, emission reduction, low carbon metallurgy, and green development. One such technology with increasing research focus and a high potential for commercialisation is top gas recycling with hydrogen gas injection and O₂ enrichment. In this process, the changed reaction conditions are expected to impact coke reactivity and degradation mechanism. These impacts are expected to be both quantitative and qualitative, implying that coal and coke quality requirements are also expected to change, which are not clearly understood.

This industry-funded PhD project addresses the sustainability of blast furnace (BF) ironmaking and aims to improve the understanding of raw material requirements in low-carbon BF operations. It investigates the underlying mechanism of metallurgical coke reactivity under conditions relevant to top gas recycling BF with hydrogen gas injection, utilising a range of experimental, analytical, and kinetics modelling techniques. The ideal candidate would have a background in chemical/ materials engineering with relevant experience in high temperature experiments, kinetics modelling of gas-solid reactions, and analytical characterisation of materials.

The PhD student will study the changes in coke gasification and reactivity under simulated blast furnace conditions to determine coke degradation mechanism. The research will involve a combination of high-temperature laboratory experimentation and advanced analytical characterisation (e.g., micro-CT, microscopy, image analysis, structural simulation, fractography, XRD, SEM/EDS). The candidate will work alongside a team of established researchers at the BHP Centre for Sustainable Steelmaking Research (SSR) at the School of Engineering.

The study will involve both fundamental and applied research using world-class research facilities. The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to liaise with industry and academic partners and travel nationally/internationally for training and conference attendance.

The candidate will have an Honours degree and/or master’s qualification in chemical engineering, materials engineering, or relevant disciplines.

The following are desirable criteria:

• Knowledge and relevant experience in modelling of gas-solid reactions.

• Knowledge of ironmaking, especially raw materials behaviour in BF.

• Experience in developing high-temperature experimental techniques.

• Micro-CT imaging and analysis

• Experience in analytical techniques and materials characterisation such as XRD, SEM/EDS, optical microscopy, FTIR, XPS.