Narasimha Naidu Nukala

Narasimha Naidu Nukala

FEnEx CRC PhD Scholar

PhD Title: Direct ammonia reduction of iron ore

Narasimha graduated with a Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, India in 2017 and a Master of Technology in Chemical Engineering degree from Osmania University, India in 2019. He joined the Master of Professional Engineering degree at UWA in 2019 and later shifted to the PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering program in 2021.

Narasimha’s PhD research focuses on the use of NH3 as a reductant for direct reduction of iron ore for iron production, which currently uses coke derived from coking coal, resulting in significant CO2 emission. Ammonia (NH3) can be made from Australia’s rich renewable energy resources and if proven through my PhD research as a carbon-free reductant of iron ore reduction, can make an enormous contribution to decarbonising the iron and steel industry. Using both laboratory fixed-bed reactor technique and modelling tools, Narasimha will study the mechanisms and kinetics of NH3 – iron ore interactions and establish the reaction rate equations for reactor design and process development.