![Julian Steer](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/3935?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Julian Steer
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Julian Steer
Research Fellow
Overview
I lecture thermodynamics here at the School of Engineering and carry out research and supervision in the areas of energy, materials and industrial processes. My career has spanned industry, research, consultancy and academia in the following areas:
- Alternative and low emissions Ironmaking options and industrial decarbonisation.
- Ironmaking optimisation looking at reductant injection.
- Material recovery processes using hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical treatments.
- Thermal and non-thermal waste and renewable energy systems (combustion, pyrolysis, gasification, anaerobic etc)
- Photoimageable polymer design, synthesis and full-scale production.
- Research and development of biopolymers, bioplastics and biofibre reinforced composite products.
- Renewable energy systems communication; development of regional development agency bioproduct strategy.
I am enthusiastic to be part of a low emissions future and interested in any opportunities to achieve this through my research, teaching, and in my personal life.
Publication
2025
- Ahmed, Y. et al. 2025. In situ polymerization of barium hexaferrite ferrofluids for poly(ethylene) succinate magnetic nanoparticle composites. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 142 (23) e56984. (10.1002/app.56984)
- Alsawadi, A. et al. 2025. A study of the mechanisms associated with CO2 utilisation via the reverse Boudouard reaction. Fuel 381 (Part C) 133448. (10.1016/j.fuel.2024.133448)
- Davies-Smith, C. A. et al., 2025. Enhancing biochar quality for the steel industry via Hydrothermal Pretreatment-Steam Explosion and pyrolysis. Bioresource Technology 437 133009. (10.1016/j.biortech.2025.133009)
- Gao, Z. et al. 2025. A nature-based approach to enhance the potential application of forest residues in anaerobic digestion. Journal of Environmental Management 395 127763. (10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127763)
- Jones, E. W. et al., 2025. Pyrolysis-GCMS of plastic and paper waste as alternative blast furnace reductants. ChemEngineering 9 (1) 15. (10.3390/chemengineering9010015)
2022
- Al-Moftah, A. M. S. H. , Marsh, R. and Steer, J. 2022. Thermogravimetric kinetic analysis of non-recyclable waste CO2 gasification with catalysts using coats–redfern method. ChemEngineering 6 (2) 22. (10.3390/chemengineering6020022)
- Davies-Smith, C. A. et al. 2022. A study of the volatilisation of coal sulphur during combustion under conditions similar to a blast furnace raceway. Fuel 330 125552. (10.1016/j.fuel.2022.125552)
- Steer, J. , Greenslade, M. and Marsh, R. 2022. Correction: Steer et al. A Comparison of Laboratory Coal Testing with the Blast Furnace Process and Coal Injection. Metals 2021, 11, 1476. Metals 12 (1) 130. (10.3390/met12010130)
2021
- Al-Moftah, A. M. S. H. , Marsh, R. and Steer, J. 2021. Life cycle assessment of solid recovered fuel gasification in the state of Qatar. ChemEngineering 5 (4) 81. (10.3390/chemengineering5040081)
- Al-Moftah, A. M. S. H. , Marsh, R. and Steer, J. 2021. Thermal decomposition kinetic study of non-recyclable paper and plastic waste by thermogravimetric analysis. ChemEngineering 5 (3) 54. (10.3390/chemengineering5030054)
- Steer, J. , Greenslade, M. and Marsh, R. 2021. A comparison of laboratory coal testing with the blast furnace process and coal injection. Metals 11 (9) 1476. (10.3390/met11091476)
2020
- Pascoe, M. J. et al. 2020. Dry heat and microwave generated steam protocols for the rapid decontamination of respiratory personal protective equipment in response to COVID-19-related shortages. Journal of Hospital Infection 106 (1), pp.10-19. (10.1016/j.jhin.2020.07.008)
2019
- Al-Farraji, A. et al. 2019. Kinetics and performance of raw and torrefied biomass in a continuous bubbling fluidized bed gasifier.. Waste and Biomass Valorization 10 (5), pp.1365-1381. (10.1007/s12649-017-0167-8)
2018
- Sexton, D. C. et al. 2018. Investigating char agglomeration in blast furnace coal injection. Fuel Processing Technology 178 , pp.24-34. (10.1016/j.fuproc.2018.05.013)
- Steer, J. M. et al. 2018. A comparison of partially burnt coal chars and the implications of their properties on the blast furnace process. Fuel Processing Technology 176 , pp.230-239. (10.1016/j.fuproc.2018.03.027)
2017
- Al-Farraji, A. , Marsh, R. and Steer, J. M. 2017. A comparison of the pyrolysis of olive kernel biomass in fluidised and fixed bed conditions. Waste and Biomass Valorization 8 (4), pp.1273-1284. (10.1007/s12649-016-9670-6)
2016
- Steer, J. M. 2016. Research into material recovery techniques and the utilisation of solid fuels in an industrial context. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
2015
- Steer, J. M. et al. 2015. The effects of particle grinding on the burnout and surface chemistry of coals in a drop tube furnace. Fuel 160 , pp.413-423. (10.1016/j.fuel.2015.07.094)
- Steer, J. M. et al. 2015. Opportunities to improve the utilisation of granulated coals for blast furnace injection. Fuel 151 , pp.40-49. (10.1016/j.fuel.2014.12.060)
2014
- Pugh, D. et al. 2014. Laminar flame speed and markstein length characterisation of steelworks gas blends. Applied Energy 136 , pp.1026-1034. (10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.04.044)
- Raghuyal, S. et al. 2014. Characterisation of Chromium-Copper- Arsenic (CCA) treated wood waste from a steel-making environment. Presented at: 6th International Conference on Waste Management and the Environment - Waste Management 2012, WM 2012 New Forest, UK 6 July 2012.
- Steer, J. M. et al. 2014. Characterisation of BOS steelmaking dust and techniques for reducing zinc contamination. Ironmaking and Steelmaking 41 (1), pp.61-66. (10.1179/1743281213Y.0000000106)
- Steer, J. m. et al. 2014. Correlation of BOS process variables with dust mass formation and zinc content. Ironmaking and Steelmaking 41 (7), pp.554-560. (10.1179/1743281213Y.0000000152)
2013
- Steer, J. M. and Griffiths, A. J. 2013. Investigation of carboxylic acids and non-aqueous solvents for the selective leaching of zinc from blast furnace dust slurry. Hydrometallurgy 140 , pp.34-41. (10.1016/j.hydromet.2013.08.011)
- Steer, J. M. , Griffiths, A. J. and Greenslade, M. 2013. The effect of blending coals on their suitability for blast furnace coal injection. Presented at: International Conference on Applied Energy Pretoria, South Africa 1-4 July 2013.
- Steer, J. M. et al. 2013. Biomass co-firing trials on a down-fired utility boiler. Energy Conversion and Management 66 , pp.285-294. (10.1016/j.enconman.2012.10.010)
2011
- Jaafar, I. et al. 2011. An evaluation of chlorination for the removal of zinc from steelmaking dusts. Minerals Engineering 24 (9), pp.1028-1030. (10.1016/j.mineng.2011.04.026)
2010
- Jaafar, I. et al. 2010. Chloride roasting for the removal of zinc from steelmaking dusts. Presented at: Processing of Zinc Ores and Concentrates: 2nd International Symposium (Zinc Processing '10) Cape Town, South Africa 10-13 November 2010.
- Jaafar, I. et al. 2010. Chloride roasting for the recovery of zinc from steelmaking dusts. Presented at: 2nd International Symposium on the Processing of Zinc Ores and Concentrates 2010 (Zinc Processing '10) Cape Town, South Africa 13 November 2010. Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on the Processing of Zinc Ores and Concentrates 2010. Red Hook, NY: Curran Associates. , pp.47-63.
2008
- Marsh, R. et al. 2008. Biomass and waste co-firing in large-scale combustion systems. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Energy 161 (3), pp.115-126. (10.1680/ener.2008.161.3.115)
- Marsh, R. et al. 2008. Biomass co-firing: opportunities and considerations. Presented at: IEA Clean Coal Conference Workshop on Perspectives on Co-combustion Cardiff, Wales 2 September.
Articles
- Ahmed, Y. et al. 2025. In situ polymerization of barium hexaferrite ferrofluids for poly(ethylene) succinate magnetic nanoparticle composites. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 142 (23) e56984. (10.1002/app.56984)
- Al-Farraji, A. et al. 2019. Kinetics and performance of raw and torrefied biomass in a continuous bubbling fluidized bed gasifier.. Waste and Biomass Valorization 10 (5), pp.1365-1381. (10.1007/s12649-017-0167-8)
- Al-Farraji, A. , Marsh, R. and Steer, J. M. 2017. A comparison of the pyrolysis of olive kernel biomass in fluidised and fixed bed conditions. Waste and Biomass Valorization 8 (4), pp.1273-1284. (10.1007/s12649-016-9670-6)
- Al-Moftah, A. M. S. H. , Marsh, R. and Steer, J. 2021. Life cycle assessment of solid recovered fuel gasification in the state of Qatar. ChemEngineering 5 (4) 81. (10.3390/chemengineering5040081)
- Al-Moftah, A. M. S. H. , Marsh, R. and Steer, J. 2021. Thermal decomposition kinetic study of non-recyclable paper and plastic waste by thermogravimetric analysis. ChemEngineering 5 (3) 54. (10.3390/chemengineering5030054)
- Al-Moftah, A. M. S. H. , Marsh, R. and Steer, J. 2022. Thermogravimetric kinetic analysis of non-recyclable waste CO2 gasification with catalysts using coats–redfern method. ChemEngineering 6 (2) 22. (10.3390/chemengineering6020022)
- Alsawadi, A. et al. 2025. A study of the mechanisms associated with CO2 utilisation via the reverse Boudouard reaction. Fuel 381 (Part C) 133448. (10.1016/j.fuel.2024.133448)
- Davies-Smith, C. A. et al., 2025. Enhancing biochar quality for the steel industry via Hydrothermal Pretreatment-Steam Explosion and pyrolysis. Bioresource Technology 437 133009. (10.1016/j.biortech.2025.133009)
- Davies-Smith, C. A. et al. 2022. A study of the volatilisation of coal sulphur during combustion under conditions similar to a blast furnace raceway. Fuel 330 125552. (10.1016/j.fuel.2022.125552)
- Gao, Z. et al. 2025. A nature-based approach to enhance the potential application of forest residues in anaerobic digestion. Journal of Environmental Management 395 127763. (10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127763)
- Jaafar, I. et al. 2011. An evaluation of chlorination for the removal of zinc from steelmaking dusts. Minerals Engineering 24 (9), pp.1028-1030. (10.1016/j.mineng.2011.04.026)
- Jones, E. W. et al., 2025. Pyrolysis-GCMS of plastic and paper waste as alternative blast furnace reductants. ChemEngineering 9 (1) 15. (10.3390/chemengineering9010015)
- Marsh, R. et al. 2008. Biomass and waste co-firing in large-scale combustion systems. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Energy 161 (3), pp.115-126. (10.1680/ener.2008.161.3.115)
- Pascoe, M. J. et al. 2020. Dry heat and microwave generated steam protocols for the rapid decontamination of respiratory personal protective equipment in response to COVID-19-related shortages. Journal of Hospital Infection 106 (1), pp.10-19. (10.1016/j.jhin.2020.07.008)
- Pugh, D. et al. 2014. Laminar flame speed and markstein length characterisation of steelworks gas blends. Applied Energy 136 , pp.1026-1034. (10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.04.044)
- Sexton, D. C. et al. 2018. Investigating char agglomeration in blast furnace coal injection. Fuel Processing Technology 178 , pp.24-34. (10.1016/j.fuproc.2018.05.013)
- Steer, J. , Greenslade, M. and Marsh, R. 2021. A comparison of laboratory coal testing with the blast furnace process and coal injection. Metals 11 (9) 1476. (10.3390/met11091476)
- Steer, J. , Greenslade, M. and Marsh, R. 2022. Correction: Steer et al. A Comparison of Laboratory Coal Testing with the Blast Furnace Process and Coal Injection. Metals 2021, 11, 1476. Metals 12 (1) 130. (10.3390/met12010130)
- Steer, J. M. et al. 2015. The effects of particle grinding on the burnout and surface chemistry of coals in a drop tube furnace. Fuel 160 , pp.413-423. (10.1016/j.fuel.2015.07.094)
- Steer, J. M. et al. 2014. Characterisation of BOS steelmaking dust and techniques for reducing zinc contamination. Ironmaking and Steelmaking 41 (1), pp.61-66. (10.1179/1743281213Y.0000000106)
- Steer, J. M. and Griffiths, A. J. 2013. Investigation of carboxylic acids and non-aqueous solvents for the selective leaching of zinc from blast furnace dust slurry. Hydrometallurgy 140 , pp.34-41. (10.1016/j.hydromet.2013.08.011)
- Steer, J. m. et al. 2014. Correlation of BOS process variables with dust mass formation and zinc content. Ironmaking and Steelmaking 41 (7), pp.554-560. (10.1179/1743281213Y.0000000152)
- Steer, J. M. et al. 2015. Opportunities to improve the utilisation of granulated coals for blast furnace injection. Fuel 151 , pp.40-49. (10.1016/j.fuel.2014.12.060)
- Steer, J. M. et al. 2013. Biomass co-firing trials on a down-fired utility boiler. Energy Conversion and Management 66 , pp.285-294. (10.1016/j.enconman.2012.10.010)
- Steer, J. M. et al. 2018. A comparison of partially burnt coal chars and the implications of their properties on the blast furnace process. Fuel Processing Technology 176 , pp.230-239. (10.1016/j.fuproc.2018.03.027)
Conferences
- Jaafar, I. et al. 2010. Chloride roasting for the removal of zinc from steelmaking dusts. Presented at: Processing of Zinc Ores and Concentrates: 2nd International Symposium (Zinc Processing '10) Cape Town, South Africa 10-13 November 2010.
- Jaafar, I. et al. 2010. Chloride roasting for the recovery of zinc from steelmaking dusts. Presented at: 2nd International Symposium on the Processing of Zinc Ores and Concentrates 2010 (Zinc Processing '10) Cape Town, South Africa 13 November 2010. Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on the Processing of Zinc Ores and Concentrates 2010. Red Hook, NY: Curran Associates. , pp.47-63.
- Marsh, R. et al. 2008. Biomass co-firing: opportunities and considerations. Presented at: IEA Clean Coal Conference Workshop on Perspectives on Co-combustion Cardiff, Wales 2 September.
- Raghuyal, S. et al. 2014. Characterisation of Chromium-Copper- Arsenic (CCA) treated wood waste from a steel-making environment. Presented at: 6th International Conference on Waste Management and the Environment - Waste Management 2012, WM 2012 New Forest, UK 6 July 2012.
- Steer, J. M. , Griffiths, A. J. and Greenslade, M. 2013. The effect of blending coals on their suitability for blast furnace coal injection. Presented at: International Conference on Applied Energy Pretoria, South Africa 1-4 July 2013.
Thesis
- Steer, J. M. 2016. Research into material recovery techniques and the utilisation of solid fuels in an industrial context. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
Research
Contracts
| Title | People | Sponsor | Value | Duration |
|---|
Iron and Steel making research - TATA Steel - ongoing
Blast furnace raw materials characterisation - British Steel - ongoing
Supervised Students
| Title | Student | Status | Degree |
|---|
CO2 utilisation through Boudourd gasification - Ahmed Alswadi - PhD
Teaching
EN1213 / EN2103 - Unit 3 - Thermofluids - Thermodynamics
EN3100 - Project supervison/examiniation
ENT766 - Project supervison/examiniation
ENT766 - Laboratory solid fuel charactersation demonstration
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)