Conference Program

The 2025 program provided a comprehensive overview of the technological developments in sustainable steelmaking. Please contact ssr@newcastle.edu.au if you have any questions about the 2025 Conference topics and/or speakers. 

Welcome Function - Sunday 16 Mar 2025

6:00pm - 9:00pm
Cummings Room, Level 1

Day 1 - Monday 17 Mar 2025

7:30am - 5:00pm
Registration Open, Level 1 Foyer

Session 1: Opening and Keynote Presentations, Concert Hall (Level 1)

Session 2

8:30am - 8:40am
Welcome from the Conference Co-Chair / Welcome to Country: Tom Honeyands, University of Newcastle
8:40am - 9:00am
Conference Launch
9:00am - 9:10am
Welcome from UoN
9:10am - 9:20am
Welcome from BHP: Nigel Tame, BHP
9:20am - 9:30am
Official Conference Opening: Tom Honeyands, University of Newcastle
9:30am - 10:10am
Keynote I: Sangho Yi, POSTECH Korea - A Novel Pathway for CO2 Reduction in Ironmaking Process: Synergy between coal-based FINEX® and BF
10:10am - 10:40am
Morning Tea Break: Cummings Room (Level 1)
10:40am - 11:20am
Keynote II: Charlotte Andersson, Luleå University of Technology Sweden - Opportunities for low fossil CO2 emission in ironmaking
11:20am - 12:00pm
Keynote III: Jian Li, China Baowu Group - Research progress on low-carbon ironmaking technology of China Baowu
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Lunch Break: Cummings Room (Level 1)

Session 2A : Sustainable cokemaking & biomass utilsation I

Session Chair: Yukihiro Kubota

1:00pm - 1:20pm
Macropore structure development during cokemaking: The role of coal properties and the influence of charcoal--Karen Steel, The University of Queensland
1:20pm - 1:40pm
Quantifying biochar interactions with coal for coke making--Lauren Williamson, CSIRO
1:40pm - 2:00pm
Fundamental Interactions Between Microalgal Biomass and Coal in Co-Pyrolysis Towards Cokemaking CO2 Reduction--Brody Brooks, University of Newcastle
2:00pm - 2:20pm
Quantitative analysis and optimisation of coke microstructure--Edward Bissaker, University of Newcastle
a
2:20pm - 2:40pm
Effect of Biocarbon Incorporation in Cokemaking and Resultant Coke Properties--Xianai Huang, Natural Resources Canada
2:40pm - 3:00pm
Effects and Mechanisms of Ferro-Coke Utilization in Ironmaking Blast Furnaces A Virtual Experiment--Ziguang Zhao, UNSW Sydney

Session 2B: Low-emission ironmaking and steelmaking I

Session Chair: Jian Li

1:00pm - 1:20pm
The Journey from New Zealand Steel to Pilbara ESF--Sheng Chew, Bluescope Steel
1:20pm - 1:40pm
Electrode Smelting of Hematite-Goethite DRI at Laboratory Scale--Craig Garlick, University of Newcastle
1:40pm - 2:00pm
Direct Reduction of Australian Low-grade Ores in H2-Fluidized Bed--Rou Wang, University of Newcastle
2:00pm - 2:20pm
Batch Scale Hydrogen Direct Reduced Iron Production and Carburisation--Khadijeh Paymooni, University of Newcastle
a
2:20pm - 2:40pm
Reduction and DRI Assimilation Characteristics According to the Ratio of Returned Sinter in Ferrous Feeds Using Fluidized Bed Reactors Under CO/H2 Atmosphere--Dohyeon Kim, GIFT, POSTECH
2:40pm - 3:00pm
Melting behaviour of H2 reduced titanomagnetite ironsand pellets in a laboratory-scale electric smelting furnace--Shaira Mendoza, Robinson Research Institute, New Zealand

Session 2C: Modelling of Low Emission Processes

Session Chair: Kyle Lefebvre

1:00pm - 1:20pm
Multi-scale Numerical Analysis on Hydrogen Reduction of Iron Oxides--Hiroshi Nogami, Tohoku University
1:20pm - 1:40pm
Numerical Analysis of Hydrogen-Based Direct Reduction in a Shaft Furnace--Henrik Saxén, Åbo Akademi University
1:40pm - 2:00pm
An Integrated Three-Dimensional Model for Sustainable Ironmaking in Blast Furnace--Ayush Badaya, Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
2:00pm - 2:20pm
CFD modelling of DRI systems--Subhasish Mitra, University of Newcastle
a
2:20pm - 2:40pm
Evaluating Residence Time Distribution of Shaft-Injected Hydrogen in Blast Furnaces: A CFD Approach--Xiaobing Yu, UNSW Sydney
2:40pm - 3:00pm
How blast rate variation affects dynamic in-furnace behaviours and energy consumption of an industrial-scale blast furnace A transient-state CFD study--Jin Xie, UNSW Sydney
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Afternoon Tea Break Cummings Room (Level 1)

Session 3

Session 3A: Sustainable cokemaking & biomass utilsation II

Session Chair: Karen Steel

3:30pm - 3:50pm
Coke reactivity with CO2 and H2O and impacts on coke microstructure--David R Jenkins, University of Newcastle
3:50pm - 4:10pm
The future of cokemaking in Europe under climate policy condition--Aleksander Sobolewski, Institute of Energy and Fuel Processing Technology, Poland
4:10pm - 4:30pm
Determining biomass char properties for optimal bio-coke production--Narelle Williams, The University of Queensland
4:30pm - 4:50pm
Physical and Chemical Structural Characterization of Biomass for Biocoke Production--Salman Khoshk Rish, University of Newcastle
a
4:50pm - 5:10pm
Optimizing coal blending in coke production: A logistic approach - HaMyung Jeong, POSCO
5:10pm - 5:30pm
Influence of recycled plastic addition on coal thermoplasticity and microstructure transition--Jangho Jo, University of Newcastle

Session 3B: Raw materials for low-emission ironmaking I

Session Chair: Dhiren Panda

3:30pm - 3:50pm
Pellets preparation for hydrogen-based shaft furnace and high-efficiency reduction technology--Jian Pan, Central South University China
3:50pm - 4:10pm
Updated Specifications and Applications of Optimised Biochars for Ironmaking and Steelmaking, and Resultant Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions--John Mathieson, BlueScope Steel Research
4:10pm - 4:30pm
Reduction of iron ore sinter analogue under simulated blast furnace gas composition--Muhammad Irfan Ahadian Barustan, University of Newcastle
4:30pm - 4:50pm
Decarbonization through Biomass and COG Injection in Blast Furnace: CFD Simulation and Industrial Test--Yoon-Ho Bae, Hyundai Steel
a
4:50pm - 5:10pm
Reduction Behaviour of Iron ore Lumps in Hydrogen-Enriched Atmospheres--Karen Palolite, University of Newcastle
5:10pm - 5:30pm
Evaluation of iron products quality for direct reduction--Mathieu Dubé, Corem

Session 3C: Decarbonisation pathways

Session Chair: Sangho Yi

3:30pm - 3:50pm
Status of Deep Abatement Technologies for the Blast Furnace Process Route--Lauren North, BHP
3:50pm - 4:10pm
Processing Australian Iron Ore in Carbon Free Steelmaking -- Martin Smith, Primetals Technologies
4:10pm - 4:30pm
Opportunities for accelerated emissions reductions in operating blast furnaces in the critical decade ahead--Joe Hebertson, Skye Point Innovation
4:30pm - 4:50pm
Transitional path to low carbon emission steel production Direct reduction and electric smelting of Pilbara iron ores--Xue Feng Dong, University of Wollongong
a
4:50pm - 5:10pm
Injection of PC, Biochar, Biogas, NG, COG, and H2 in the Blast Furnace, a Trade off on BF Operation and GHG Emissions--Mitren Sukhram, Hatch
5:10pm - 5:30pm
Direct electrolytic iron production: emerging methods for decarbonised iron-making-Jessica Allen, University of Newcastle
6:30pm - 9:00pm
Symposium Dinner, Concert Hall

Day 2 - Tuesday 18 Mar 2025

8:00am - 5:00pm
Registration Open, Level 1 Foyer

Session 4: Opening and Keynote Presentations, Concert Hall (Level 1)

8:30am - 8:40am
Day 2 Welcome from the Conference Co-Chair: Arash Tahmasebi, University of Newcastle
8:40am - 9:20am
Keynote IV: Dhiren Panda, JSW Steel India
9:20am - 10:00am
Keynote V: Yukihiro Kubota, Nippon Steel Corporation Japan - Development of Technology for Improvement of Coke Strength for Low Carbonization in Blast Furnaces and/or Cost Reduction of Coke Production
10:00am - 10:40am
Morning Tea Break: Cummings Room (Level 1)
10:40am - 11:20am
Keynote VI: Jan van der Stel, Tata Steel Europe, The Netherlands - European Steelmaking Transition to Green and Clean Steel Production
11:20 - 12:00pm
Keynote VII: Jeanne Els, Hatch Australia
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Lunch Break: Cummings Room (Level 1)

Session 5

Session 5A : Sustainable cokemaking & biomass utilsation III

Session Chair: Lauren North

1:00pm - 1:20pm
Biochar Addition: Effect on Coke Characteristics and Quality--Pramod Koshy, UNSW Sydney
1:20pm - 1:40pm
Abrasion Resistance of Coke under Hydrogen Reduction Blast Furnace Conditions--Hannah Lomas, University of Newcastle
1:40pm - 2:00pm
Use of Coal Grain analysis information for improved coke quality prediction--Priyanthi Hapugoda, CSIRO
2:00pm - 2:20pm
Mechanical strength and microstructure formation of ferro-coke for low-carbon blast furnace ironmaking--Guanghua Lu, University of Newcastle
a
2:20pm - 2:40pm
CFD Investigation of Raceway Dynamics and Emission Control with Hydrogen-Rich Fuel Injection in an Ironmaking Blast Furnace--Ehsan Farajzadeh, UNSW Sydney

Session 5B: Low-emission ironmaking and steelmaking II

Session Chair: Jan van der Stel

1:00pm - 1:20pm
Oxygen as an enabler for energy-efficient and climate-neutral iron oxide processes and products--Charlotte Andersson, Luleå University of Technology
1:20pm - 1:40pm
Direct reduced iron (DRI) production using biochar in simulated rotary kiln--Tao Kan, CSIRO
1:40pm - 2:00pm
Carburisation in a Laboratory-Scale Electric Smelting Furnace--Tejbir Singh, University of Newcastle
2:00pm - 2:20pm
Hydrogen Plasma Smelting Reduction: A Direct and Rapid Process for Green Stainless Steelmaking--Zulfiadi Zulhan, Institut Teknologi Bandung
a
2:20pm - 2:40pm
Advancements in Hydrogen Plasma Smelting Reduction (HPSR) Technology A Sustainable Approach to Single-Step Steelmaking--Michael Andreas Zarl, K1-MET GmbH

Session 5C: Fundamental studies, kinetics of reduction, gasification, etc I

Session Chair: Jeanne Els

1:00pm - 1:20pm
Formation of Fine Fibrous Metallic Iron from FeO by Hydrogen Reduction-Taichi Murakami, Tohoku University
1:20pm - 1:40pm
Wüstite crystal structure: a key determinant for controlling iron morphologies during gas-solid reduction--Qinghui Wu, Chongqing University
1:40pm - 2:00pm
Interfacial Reaction between Biogenic Carbon and Electric Arc Furnace Slag--Xianai Huang, Natural Resources Canada
2:00pm - 2:20pm
A kinetic investigation on the reduction of New Zealand Titanomagnetite ironsands in a silica-sand-stabilised fluidised bed--Bavinesh Maisuria, Victoria University of Wellington
a
2:20pm - 2:40pm
Zn Removal from Basic Oxygen Steelmaking Filter Cake to Improve Its Recyclability--Zhanjun Wang, University of Wollongong
2:40pm - 3:10pm
Afternoon Tea Break Cummings Room (Level 1)

Session 6

Session 6A: Process Integration and Optimisation

Session Chair: Charlotte Andersson

3:10pm - 3:30pm
Computational investigation of low-carbon ironmaking technologies--Shibo Kuang, Monash University
3:30pm - 3:50pm
Co-firing PCI Coal and Biocarbon for the Sustainable Ironmaking Process--Yoon-Jae Lee, Pusan National University
3:50pm - 4:10pm
Utilising steelmaking slags as secondary phosphorus resource: Trends, current challenges, and way forward--Arpit Dwivedi, University of Newcastle
4:10pm - 4:30pm
Electric Smelting Furnace (ESF) Technology Development Succeeding at Pilot Scale-Johan Zietsman, EX MENTE
4:30pm - 4:50pm
Advancing Circular Engineering in Sustainable Ironmaking: Innovations in Steel Scrap Recycling for a Carbon-Neutral Future - Nwanebu Kingsely Uchenna, University of Leoben
a

Session 6B: Raw materials for low-emission ironmaking II

Session Chair: Damien O’Dea

3:10pm - 3:30pm
Effect of Magnetite Addition on Phosphorus Removal Efficiency in Iron Ore with Microwave Radiation--Ko-ichiro Ohno, Kyushu University
3:30pm - 3:50pm
Effect of iron ore type on the reduction behavior during multi-stage reduction process by H2--Leonardo Tomas da Rocha, POSTECH
3:50pm - 4:10pm
Economic recovery of iron value from iron ore tailings Transforming Waste into Valuable Resource--Kwaku Owusu, CSIRO
4:10pm - 4:30pm
Investigation of Hydrogen-Rich Gas Injection on Sintering Behavior in Thick Beds: Mechanistic Insights and Analysis--Rui Wang, Chongqing University
4:30pm - 4:50pm
Reduction of Iron Ore Sinter Using Hydrogen Enriched Gas Atmosphere--Yajun Tang, CSIRO
a

Session 6C: Fundamental studies, kinetics of reduction, gasification, etc II

Session Chair: Xue Feng Dong

3:10pm - 3:30pm
State-of-the-art computer modelling for blast furnace innovation: review and challenges--Yansong Shen, UNSW Sydney
3:30pm - 3:50pm
In-situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction studies of the high-temperature hydrogen reduction of New Zealand titanomagnetite ironsand--Morgan Lowther, Victoria University of Wellington
3:50pm - 4:10pm
Use of infrared thermography to track solid-liquid-solid heat transfer in an iron ore sinter cooler for preheating of raw materials--Sam Reis, Swansea University
4:10pm - 4:30pm
Biomass-Coal Gasification Modeling for DRI Emission Reduction--Bhoopendra Pandey, Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru
4:30pm - 4:50pm
Role of Carbon during Induration of Hematite Ore Pellet--Raja Ankit Anand, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
a
Concert Hall
4:50pm - 5:00pm
Closing Remarks - Session Chair: Tom Honeyands - Centre for Sustainable Steelmaking Research, University of Newcastle
Concert Hall

Day 3 - Wednesday 19 Mar 2025

BlueScope Tour
NIER Tour