English

2019 Vol.14

2019 Vol.14

2019 Vol.14

2019 Vol.14

Foreword
Achievements and Expected Role of RITE for Mitigating Climate Change
Nebojsa Nakicenovic, Deputy Director General/CEO, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

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Feature
Perspectives on IPCC Special Report “Global Warming of 1.5℃ ”
Mitsutsune Yamaguchi, Special Advisor, RITE

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Industrialization of RITE Bioprocess

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R&D Activities
Research & Coordination Group

Outline of Research Activity in Research & Coordination Group12

Research Activities in Systems Analysis Group18

Molecular Microbiology and⃝ Development of Green Bioprocesses to Realize a Sustainable Society
Biotechnology Group24

Chemical Research Group30

Systems Analysis Group

Challenges Associated with the Advanced Industrialization of CO2 Capture Technologies

CO2 Storage Research Group ⃝ Research and Development on Geological CO2 Storage for Safe CCS Operation

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Inorganic Membranes
Research Center

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Research and Development of Innovative Environmental and Energy Technologies that
Use Inorganic Membranes and Efforts toward Practical Use and Industrialization

Topics 

48

Outreach Activities 562018 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

58Foreword

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Achievements and Expected Role of
RITE for Mitigating Climate Change
Nebojsa Nakicenovic
Deputy Director General/CEO,International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

I often think of the wonderful and productive time I spent at RITE back in 1993. My privilege was to be
one of the ﬁrst scientists at RITE. The science centre was still a greenﬁeld, but RITE stood there with very innovative architecture and technology for keeping the earth cool. This included the lake around and below thebuilding, the natural-gas fuel cell and many photovoltaic arrays. What remains in my memory were the CO2
measurement meters in every meeting room. The research portfolio matched the innovative working environment and ranged from carbon dioxide separation from ﬂue gases by membranes to modelling of techno-economic systems and possible response strategies to climate change.
The close collaboration between RITE and IIASA started with my stay and was followed by many colleagues from RITE working and visiting IIASA as well as IIASA colleagues spending extended periods at
RITE.
In the meantime, RITE developed into one of the leading research institutes worldwide working on technological solutions and strategies for averting global climate change, undoubtfully a major challenge facing
humanity twenty-ﬁve years ago and today. RITE has developed a large-scale integrated modelling approach
for assessing global, regional and Japanese options and policies for mitigating and adapting to climatechange. This work is highly valued in Japan and internationally. RITE is one of the key modelling teams to
produce stabilization scenarios used by IPCC in its assessments. The high recognition is also reﬂected inseminal contributions to IPCC, Integrated Assessment Modelling Consortium and many other national and international activities. I am proud to have been a part of the establishment of RITE and devoted follower of its
contributions and achievements.
There are too many achievements to list them all here. However, I do want to specially highlight two close
to my own work.
A land mark in RITE contributions is the famous Kaya-Identity, which is the key for understanding emissions and it main component drivers including population, economic development and energy.
ALPS is another very important initiative to which my colleagues from IIASA have also contributed over
the years since its inception. I was very privileged to be able to participate in all ALPS International Symposia
organized by RITE to present ﬁndings.
I am writing these words as the COP24 in Katowice just started. The hope many have for the outcome isthat the Paris Agreement can be reafﬁrmed with clear commitments. This is very difﬁcult given that the global
emissions are still increasing, at estimated 2.7% last year, while they need to be halved every decade to approach net-zero mid-century if the stabilization well below 2℃ is to be achieved. This means from about 40
billion tons of CO2 in 2020, down to 20 in 2030, 10 in 2040 and so on. This means nothing less than a truly
transformational change and would require a Herculean effort in diffusion of new carbon saving technologies,
infrastructures, institutions and human behaviours. Consequently, world needs research institutes like RITE
that can rise to this unprecedented challenge with new solutions and ways forward to avert climate change
while securing further development.

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Feature⃝Perspectives on IPCC Special Report “Global Warming of 1.5℃ ”

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Perspectives on IPCC Special Report“Global Warming of 1.5℃ ”

Mitsutsune Yamaguchi
Special Advisor

1. Origin of the Special Report 1.5℃tion and Reducing Inequalities

On October 8, 2018, IPCC (The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) released its Special Re-

2.2. Outline of SPM

port “Global Warming of 1.5℃” (SR1.5) as a response

The SPM consists of 4 sections. Sections A, B, C

to the invitation for IPCC “... to provide a Special Re-

and D each corresponding to a summary of chapters 1,

port in 2018 on the impacts of global warming of 1.5℃

3, 2, and 4-5.

above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways” contained in the Deci-

Section A. Understanding Global Warming of 1.5℃sion of the 21st Conference of Parties of the UnitedThis section mainly deals with climate science.

Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The main messages are that the temperature has in-(COP) held in Paris in 2015. The IPCC accepted thiscreased by around 1.0℃ since 1850-1900 period andinvitation in April the next year, and its first lead au-that without further mitigation measures, temperaturethorsʼ meeting was held in March 2017. SR1.5 waswill likely to increase by 1.5℃ between 2030 and 2052.

completed within 2 years. First of all, the author of thisSo far the base year of temperature increase wasshort paper truly appreciates all coordinating lead au-

set at the pre-industrialization era without any clear

thors, lead authors, reviewers and all the persons in-definition of what year it is. In SR1.5, the base year isvolved in writing process for their devoted efforts indefined as 1850-1900 period. Also, GMST (Global

completing the report in such a short period.

Mean Surface Temperature) is defined as the estimated global average of near-surface air temperature over

2. Summary of SR1.5

land and the surface temperature over ice-free ocean

2.1. Structure of SR1.5

regions. When estimating changes in GMST, however,SR1.5 consists of a Summary for Policymakers

near-surface air temperature over both land and(SPM) and 5 chapters. Here the author focuses on theoceans (Surface Air Temperature, SAT) are also used.

SPM, while touching upon 5 chapters as necessary.
The titles of 5 chapters are as follows;

Section B. Projected Climate Change, Potential Im-

Chapter 1 Framing and Context

pacts and Associated Risks

Chapter 2 Mitigation pathways compatible with 1.5℃ in
the context of sustainable development
Chapter 3 Impacts of 1.5℃ global warming on naturaland human systems
Chapter 4 Strengthening and implementing the global
response
Chapter 5 Sustainable Development, Poverty Eradica-

This section addresses “the impacts of global
warming of 1.5℃ above the pre-industrial levels” asrequested by the COP decision. The conclusion isquite simple, i.e. impacts and risks are smaller in a
1.5℃ increase case than in a 2℃ increase case. For
example, the rise in sea level the year 2100 (since
1986-2005) in a 1.5℃ case will be 26-77 cm, and 10

4Feature⃝Perspectives on IPCC Special Report “Global Warming of 1.5℃ ”

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Figure 1 : Five Reasons For Concern (RFC)
Source: IPCC SR1.5 Figure SPM.2
Due to space limitations, only RFC Figure in SR1.5 has been shown here.

cm lower than in a 2℃ case, ice-free ocean in the Arc-

information should be included in the SPM.

tic sea during summer will occur once in every 100
years in a 1.5℃ case whereas it will occur once every

Section C. Emission Pathways and System Transitions

10 years in a 2℃ warmer world, and 70-90% of theConsistent with 1.5℃ Global Warming

coral reefs will disappear in a 1.5℃ case but more than
99% in a 2℃ case.

This section includes responses to the request by
the COP to provide global greenhouse gas emission

Besides, there is another important point thatpathways consistent with a 1.5℃ warmer world. There

should not be ignored. In SR1.5, Reasons for Con-are 2 key observations that are discussed. Figure 2

cerns (RFCs), that was shown in 5 Assessment Re-

represents the emission pathways modeled to main-

port (AR5), is also presented (Refer to Figure 1 above).

tain the temperature increase at 1.5℃ or less by the

When we compare the above figure with that inyear 2100. Please focus on the global total net CO2

AR5 (not shown due to space constraint), there is anemissions (the main panel). Two scenarios are shown:

important difference especially in RFC5, namely large-

one pathway has no or limited overshoot (less thanscale singular events. In chapter 3 of SR1.5, there is a0.1℃), while the other pathway has a higher over-description that “moderate risk is now located at 1℃ ofshoot. At the bottom of the figure, timing of net zeroglobal warming and high risk is located at 2.5℃ of

CO2 line is illustrated. It implies that to achieve 1.5℃

global warming, as opposed to at 1.6℃ (moderate risk)

goal, the net CO2 emissions should be reduced by

and around 4℃ (high risk) in AR5, because of new ob-

about 45% from 2010 levels by year 2030 and become

servations and models of the West Antarctic ice sheet”.

zero around 2045-2060 and thereafter emissions

As RCF5 is considered as imposing large scale andshould be negative. Just think of current pledges to-irreversible global impact, and as an increase in thewards 2030 (NDCs) under which the global 2030 emis-

global sea level by 6-9 m is expected if either thesions are expected to increase (not decrease) fromGreenland or West Antarctic ice sheet collapses, such

2010, it is rather clear that 1.5℃ will be extremely hardth5Feature⃝Perspectives on IPCC Special Report “Global Warming of 1.5℃ ”

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from fossil fuel use and industrial processes. The

to achieve.
Figure 3 (below) shows 4 different socio-economic

brown area represents CO2 absorption by AFOLU (Ag-development models (P1-P4) and emission pathways

riculture, Forestry and Other Land Use) while the yel-toward achieving the 1.5℃ goal. P1 illustrates a low

low area represents BECCS (bio-energy with carbon

emission demand society (LED), P2; a sustainable de-capture and storage). BECCS is considered to be avelopment society, P3; middle of the road, P4; fossil-fu-

negative emission technology, whereas AFOLU could

eled development society. Business as usual, emis-

be negative or positive. As illustrated in Figure 3, if wesions become larger from P1 to P4. The green lines forfollow the P4 model, we have to rely upon massive

P1-P4 illustrate the net CO2 emission pathways tonegative emissions by BECCS to achieve the 1.5℃

achieve the 1.5℃ goal in the respective socio-econom-

goal. On the other hand, if we follow the P1 model, it

ic society. The grey area represents the CO2 emissions

may be possible to achieve the goal with small nega-

Figure 2 : Global emissions pathways consistent with 1.5℃ warmer world
Source: IPCC SR1.5 Figure SPM.3a

Figure 3 : Breakdown of contributions to global net CO2 emissions in four illustrative model pathways
Source: IPCC SR1.5 Figure SPM.3b

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Feature⃝Perspectives on IPCC Special Report “Global Warming of 1.5℃ ”

tive emissions by AFOLU. Thus, what kind of so-

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ments on these issues.

cio-economic society we should aim at is the key in our
choice of a development model.

3.1. Lack of information of economic cost
The SR1.5 report analyzed and showed in detail

Section D. Strengthening the Global Response in theon how negative impacts and losses could be mini-

Context of Sustainable Development and Efforts tomized if we were to succeed in limiting temperature

Eradicate Poverty

increase at 1.5℃ instead of 2℃. From the report, it is

The most important message here is that current

evident that we should aim at 1.5℃, assuming all otherpledges, even if fully implemented, are never enoughfactors are the same. For policymakers, it is impossible

to keep temperature increase below 1.5℃. In otherto make decision, however, without knowing economic

words, it is almost impossible to achieve the 1.5℃ goal

cost (GDP loss or consumption loss). The report is si-

unless each party drastically strengthen their pledges

lent on this critical point. If differences of mitigation

toward 2030.

costs were included, the report would be more policy

This section summarizes chapters 4 and 5, which

relevant.

contain several statements with major implications for

Remember that cost information was not included

the implementation of climate policies, such as “what-

in COPʼs request to IPCC. Negotiators at COP in Parisever its potential long-term benefits, a transition to a

may not have thought of the critical importance of cost

1.5℃ world may suffer from a lack of broad politicalinformation. Even in that case, however, SR1.5 should

and public support, if it exacerbates existing short-term

have included the cost information. SR1.5 cites the

economic and social tensions, including unemploy-reason as “the literature on total mitigation cost ofment, … competitiveness issues …”. Regrettably, this

1.5℃ mitigation pathways is limited and was not as-

sentence does not appear in the SPM.

sessed”. Even if the literature was limited, the cost in-

SR1.5 is the first IPCC report that has directly ad-formation (more concretely, how many models calcu-

dressed the relationships between climate change andlated mitigation cost per GDP and the range of them)other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since

could have been included in the SPM. This may benefit

literatures are quite limited and the scope is broad, thethe policymakers. In chapter 2 of SR1.5, there are 90

report was short of success at this point. Though SDGs

pathways for 1.5℃ (Table 2.1 of SR1.5). Readers may

have no priority among 17 goals, it is impossible forwonder how many among them have mitigation costs

policymakers to pursue all those goals to the same ex-

figures. In fact, several governments insisted in vain on

tent. Policymakers may be indecisive to what extent

the importance of including total mitigation costs in thethey should put limited resources to climate changereport at the last-minute Governments Review meeting.

mitigation.

In this regard, the author would like to draw readersʼ attention to the fact that total mitigation costs are

3. Evaluation of SR1.5

clearly mentioned in both the IPCC AR5 Synthesis and

The efforts of the authors in completing the as-

SPM of Working Group 3 reports. For example, the mit-

sessment report through extensive literature review

igation cost (reduction in consumption relative to base-within a short period in response to the COP invitationline) in 2100 for 2℃ is estimated to be 4.8% (2.9-

are commendable. SR1.5 surely would be referred to

11.4%) of consumption, and reduction in the annualin future as one of the most reliable reports on climate

consumption growth rate is estimated to be 0.06%.

change policy-makings. However, there are a few is-This is based on the assumption that all parties adopt

sues that lack in the report (such as mitigation cost) or

mitigation measures immediately and a global uniformthat should be stressed a little bit more (such as uncer-

carbon tax would be introduced, i.e. an idealistic as-

tainty). The following are the authorʼs personal com-

sumption. In the AR5, additional costs in a non-idealis-7

Feature⃝Perspectives on IPCC Special Report “Global Warming of 1.5℃ ”

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tic assumption are also shown. One example is theand social scientists need to develop the researchcase of lack of technologies. If CCS technology is notbase for climate science and economics substantiallycommercially available, then the mitigation cost will in-to refine our estimates of the SCC”1. Here SCC (social

crease by 2.4 times as compared to a situation whencost of carbon) is similar to the monetary value of

this technology becomes available. All these descrip-

avoided climate damages. The author of this short arti-

tions indicate that the IPCC lead authors have consid-

cle shares the same view.

ered the economic cost as one of the critical pieces of
information for the IPCC report to be policy relevant.

CBA is not only a useful tool to decide the extent
of introducing the mitigation measures, but also usefulSR1.5 SPM illustrates without showing numericalto allocate scarce resources efficiently among import-

figures that marginal abatement cost (MAC) for 1.5℃

ant global issues such as SDGs. Numerous urgent

will be 3-4 times higher than that for 2℃. For policy-

global and domestic issues exist in the world but re-makers, this information is meaningless. The MAC issources to cope with them are scarce and limited. In

the cost of abating an additional ton of CO2 to reach thesome countries people suffer from poverty, inequality,

goals and is completely different from the concept ofand in other countries, budget deficit and unemploy-

the total economic cost. The MAC for 1.5℃ is equiva-

ment will be the major concern in addition to climate

lent to the global carbon tax to achieve the 1.5℃ goal.

change. For policymakers of all countries, CBA could

In this sense, the MAC is a useful information for poli-

be the most useful tool for the efficient allocation ofcymakers for their decision. Chapter 2 describes theglobal and domestic resources. CBA has many short-

MAC for 1.5℃. The MAC ranges for achieving the goal

comings as described above but receives too little at-without overshoot are $135-6050 in 2030 and $690-

tention. In view of the fact that climate change is not

30100 in 2100 (before discounting). While the ranges

the sole issue in the world, we should pay a little bitseem wide, including such information in the SPM may

more attention to the CBA and try to overcome thebe useful for policymakers as opposed to having no

shortcomings of this tool.

numerical basis at all.
3.3. Uncertainty (carbon budget etc.) and Risk
3.2. Efficient allocation of scarce resources andcost benefit analysis

Management
Given the near linear relationship between cumu-

SR1.5 SPM simply explains that cost-benefit anal-

lative CO2 emissions and temperature increase, theysis (CBA) for the 1.5℃ goal has not been conductedconcept of carbon budget was introduced. Carbon

due to knowledge gaps. From chapters 1 and 2, how-budget is defined as the cumulative CO2 emissions toever, it is evident that the lead authors are rather neg-

limit the temperature at a certain level. In the AR5, theative to apply CBA to climate change issues. The main

remaining carbon budget since 2011 to limit the tem-reasons are as follows. First, it is difficult to estimate

perature increase at 1.5℃ (66% probability) was esti-

the non-market loss such as a monetary value of hu-

mated at 400 GtCO2 (Table 2.2 in the synthesis report).

man life. Second, even if the total benefits exceed theSince emissions during the 2011-2017 period was esti-

total cost, these would not necessarily be the same inmated at 290 GtCO2, the remaining budget should

all the regions or countries. Third, we tend to rely on

have been 110 GtCO2. According to the SPM of thevalue judgement when applying the discount rates toSR1.5, the remaining carbon budget is estimated at

calculate the current value of avoided damages (bene-

420 GtCO2 (SAT) and 570 GtCO2 (GMST), respective-fits). All of these are reasonable criticisms against

ly. Carbon budget in the AR5 was estimated using the

CBA. William Nordhaus, the 2018 Nobel laureate in

SAT method in climate modeling. This implies an in-economics, while fully acknowledging those challeng-crease in the SR1.5 carbon budget (SAT) by 310 (dif-es, argues that rather than abandoning CBA, “natural

ference between 420 and 110) Gt, and an increase in8

Feature⃝Perspectives on IPCC Special Report “Global Warming of 1.5℃ ”

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the remaining 150 (difference between 570 and 420)
GtCO2 is due to the difference in methodology (SAT vs.
GMST).
The fact that the carbon budget has rapidly in-

1 Nordhaus, W.D., 2017: Revisiting the social cost of carbon. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(7), 1518-1523,
doi:10.1073/pnas.1609244114.

creased in a short period between AR5 (2013) andSR1.5 (2018) signals another change likely in IPCC
AR6 report to be published in 2021. Also, the carbon
budget in SR1.5 does not include the effect of possible
feedback from the earth system, such as the CO2 andCH4 release from permafrost thawing. These events
could contribute to reductions in the budget.
In addition to the carbon budget, there are otheruncertainties in climate science. Equilibrium climate
sensitivity (temperature increase following a doublingof the atmospheric CO2) has remained unchanged
since AR5 and has been assessed to be in the 1.5℃ to
4.5℃ range, with a three-times spread. It is impossible,
therefore, to predict the extent of temperature increase
for the same CO2 concentration. Furthermore, CO2
emissions and mitigation pathways are expected to differ substantially depending on the type of socio-economic developments occurring in future as describedearlier. Technology development and availability is also
one of critical uncertainties. In view of these uncertainties, the author believes that coping with climatechange is a risk management issue under uncertainties and that we should be flexible to respond to newscientific findings. Fixing our goal and making a headlong rush to attain certain temperature target will not beeffective in a long run.
4. Concluding remarks
Based on the current situation, one point is quite
clear. Continuous emission of CO2 certainly contributes to the increase in the surface temperature of theearth due to long life time of CO2, and temperature
continues to increase and never stabilizes. It is vitalthat we avoid such a situation. We must aim for zeroCO2 emissions in the long run, a paradigm shift fromtemperature target. All efforts should be focused on
this purpose, including zero emission technology developments in all sectors of our economy.

9Feature⃝Industrialization of RITE Bioprocess

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Industrialization of RITE Bioprocess
Each research group at RITE is addressing the research and development of new technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As COE on the mitigation of global warming, it is an important mission for
RITE to industrialize our technologies in collaboration
with industry, government, and academic institutions
around the world, through government and other publicly funded projects, by collaborative research with institutions and private companies around the world, andthrough activities with technology research associations. In this section, two examples of the industrialization of RITEʼs technologies in the field of biotechnology
will be introduced.
1. Green Earth Institute Co., Ltd. (GEI)(Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, TOKYO, Laboratory:
Kisarazu-shi, CHIBA)The Green Earth Institute Co., Ltd. was establishedon September 1, 2011, for the early industrialization of
RITEʼs biorefinery technology using a highly efficient
process called the RITE Bioprocess, which was developed by RITE. GEI has developed technologies for
scaling up, using strains developed by RITE, that enable the highly efficient production of biofuels, such as
ethanol and butanol, as well as other useful substances, such as amino acids. GEI scaled up cultivation andbioconversion processes from lab scale (1 L) to benchscale (90 L) in May 2014, to pilot scale (2 kL) in August
2014, and succeeded in the production of amino acids
using a large-scale reactor of commercial size in March2016. Now, through licensing agreements with companies both in Japan and overseas, production of aminoacids has advanced to the commercial stage.
Biojet fuel made from non-food biomass as a raw
material is expected to contribute to solving the global

warming problem without causing food shortages. GEI
participates in the Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) project“Letʼs fly with 100,000 used clothes!” In this project,
GEI is responsible for the production of isobutanol from
cotton fibers in used clothes using the RITE Bioprocess, and for producing biojet fuel conforming to international standard ASTM D7566 Annex5.

2. Green Chemicals Co., Ltd. (GCC)(Headquarters & Kyoto Site: Kizugawa-shi, KYOTO,
Shizuoka Site: Fujieda-shi, SHIZUOKA)RITE and Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. founded theGreen Phenol Technology Research Association (GPAssociation) on February 15, 2010. The GP Association succeeded in developing a fundamental technology to produce “green” phenol from sugars, which waspreviously considered impossible, for the first time in
the world. On May 27, 2014, the GP Association altered the structure of its organization to become astock company, Green Phenol Development Co., Ltd.
(GPD), to accelerate the industrialization of the biomass-based phenol-producing technology. With theaid of a NEDO grant, GPD completed an integrated
production process, i.e., both the bioprocessing pilot
plant and the facilities for the purification and concentration processes. Since phenol itself is extremely cytotoxic, phenol bioproduction was thought to be impossible. GP Association overcame this problem bydeveloping a “Two-Step Bioprocess”. The modulus ofelasticity, bending strength, and tensile strength of“green” phenol molding parts are almost the same asfor petroleum-derived products.
【Plant for bioconversion process】【Green phenol resin】【Plant for purification process】【Molding parts made from green phenol】

Since the technology developed by GPD could
also produce many other useful chemical compounds,
GPD changed its trade name to Green Chemicals Co.,
Ltd. (GCC) on April 1, 2018. The targets of GCC arearomatic compounds, whose microbial production has
been considered difficult due to their high cytotoxic effects on microbial host cells. GCC is making efforts tocommercialize the production of the chemicals, which
are in high demand in the market, such as functional
resins, aromatic chemicals, and raw materials for medicines.

10Feature⃝Industrialization of RITE Bioprocess

Green Earth Institute Co., Ltd.

Expanding a biorefinery business with domestic
and foreign partner companies.
Green Earth Institute Co.,
Ltd. (GEI) was established on
September 1, 2011 as a spin-off
company from RITE (ResearchInstitute of Innovative Technology
for the Earth). We are continuallyworking to commercialize the
RITE Bioprocess®, a bio-refining
Chief Executive Ofﬁcer process that was developed by
RITE more than 20 years ago. In
Tomohito Ihara
March 2016, in collaboration with
RITE, we succeeded in producing the amino acid L-alanine on a commercial scale. Prior to that GEI had
scaled up from lab scale to bench scale to pilot scale,
while RITE improved the bacterial strains. The commercial-scale production presented some challenges
we had not anticipated because it was the first trial ofits kind in China. The GEI team overcame these chal-

Green Chemicals Co., Ltd.
RITE and Sumitomo BakeliteCo., Ltd. jointly set up the Green
Phenol Technology Research
Association (GP Association) in
2010, with the ambitious goal of
substituting petroleum-based
phenol with green phenol, which
is produced from non-food bioRepresentative Director mass using bioprocesses.
Initially, because of its highShigeru Hayashi
cytotoxicity,
it was thought to be(Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.
Representative Director Chairman) extremely difficult to produce phenol from non-food biomass in a
microbial bioprocess. However, the “RITE bioprocess,”which is a growth-arrested bioprocess, has helped
achieve this challenging goal. Furthermore, with theaid of grants from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and theEconomy, Trade and Industry Ministry, Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. constructed facilities for purification andconcentration processes. In order to speed up thecommercialization process, the GP Association
changed its name to the Green Phenol Development
Co., Ltd. (GPD) in 2014.

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lenges together with a researcher from RITE. I also
visited the commercial plant over several days. I wasvery impressed when I saw the white crystallized product. Thus, it was proven that the RITE Bioprocess® isan innovative biorefinery process, and that it is a competitive technology on the market. In this sense, theachievement was very important for the RITE Bioprocess® as well as for GEI. Now, on the basis of thisachievement, we are licensing this amino acid production technology not only in Japan but also in China andthe U.S., and the amino acids produced by the RITE
Bioprocess® have already been selling on the market.
Currently we develop not only amino acids but
also biofuels and green chemicals, such as cosmetics
materials with RITE. Through this development wehave set out to transform petrorefinery into biorefinery.
To achieve this goal, a commercially viable and sustainable business is very important. GEI, as a spin-off
company from RITE, will endeavor to contribute to thedevelopment of the biorefinery business, to help realize a society that does not rely on fossil resources.

This was the first case in Japan where a technology research association had altered the structure of its
organization to become a stock company.
Since the technology developed by GPD can produce value-added chemical compounds other thanphenol, selectively and with high efficiency, GPD
changed its trade name to the Green Chemicals Co.,
Ltd. (GCC) on April 1, 2018, to expand the business toinclude other chemical compounds. We are currently
pursuing market development.
Today, working toward achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals (SGDs) is part of corporate social
responsibility initiatives. Accelerating the commercialization of aromatic compounds using bioprocesses,
which was previously considered impossible, in order
to contribute to a sustainable society is a challenging
assignment, and one which for us is a big dream. To
that end, microbial genetic engineering technology,
highly efficient cultivation, and collective technology
are key, and the combination of these features is
GCCʼs unique competitive strength.
My mission as Representative Director of Green
Chemicals Co., Ltd. is to deliver this world-class technology to customers for its practical application. I will
therefore strive to accelerate the commercialization of
products that satisfy our customersʼ needs.

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R&D Activities⃝Research & Coordination Group

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Research & Coordination Group[Key Members]

Hiroyasu Horio
Group Leader,
Chief Researcher

Makoto Nomura, Deputy Group Leader・
Chief Researcher
Satoshi Nakamura, Deputy Group Leader
Masato Takagi, Chief Researcher
Takayuki Higashii, Chief Researcher
Yasuaki Minoura, Manager
Yoshinori Aoki, Manager・Associate Chief
Researcher
Tetsuya Deguchi, Associate Chief
Researcher

Taizo Uchimura, Associate Chief
Researcher
Haruo Kanaboshi, Planning Manager
Jun-ichi Shimizu, Vice Manager
Daisuke Omoya, Vice Manager
Sou Kuranaka, Vice Manager

Outline of Research Activity in Research & Coordination Group
1. Global environment and the economy
The Research and Coordination Group aims to i)

2. Economic development and the global environment

searching for new research topics that enhance the re-In 2016, the Paris Agreement came into force. It is

search potential of RITE, proposing and implementing

necessary to limit the average temperature rise of the

new research themes, ii) government support for theearth (global average temperature rise) to less than 2

relation with international organizations such as IPCC

℃ compared to the level before the industrial revolu-(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), ISOtion. Before 2100 at the end of this century, it is re-(International Standard Organization), iv) practical ap-

quired to balance the emissions and absorption ofplication of technology through industrial collaborative

greenhouse gases. It is an urgent task to promote sub-R&D, together with the research groups/center. Thesestantial reductions in greenhouse gases throughout

efforts lead to a creation of new policy implementation,

the world, including emerging countries and develop-

R&D and innovation aiming at the global environment

ing countries.

and the economy.
The mission of RITEIn 2018, important events related to global environmental issues were carried out. The 47th General
Assembly of the IPCC (Paris ・ Mar.) and the 48th
General Meeting (Incheon ・ Oct.) were held. Under
the international discussions, the recognition of “balance between the global environment and the economy” as a common goal for both industrialized and developing countries is increasing. In 1990, RITE wasestablished under this mission and aims to realize innovation that promotes sustainable growth by suppressing cost burden and inefficiency through innovative environmental technology development (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 : The Role of RITE (Toward Economic Development andGlobal Environment)

12

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2.1. Quarter-century economic development and

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ther expand. It is pointed out that part of the energy

greenhouse gas

demand of industrialized countries has also been

In 1990, the Japanese government started Global

transferred to emerging countries and developing

Warming Prevention Plan. In the following quarter cen-countries due to international trade transactions, ex-tury (1990-2015), the world population expanded frompansion of information processing across national bor-

5.3 billion to 7.3 billion (1.4 times) and the total world

ders, alternative production, etc.

GDP expanded from 27 trillion dollars to 116 trillion

There is a difference in the economic situation anddollars (4.3 times). The center of these changes is thesocial priority issues of each country. Among these, it isSoutheast Asian region such as China, India, Indone-

necessary to cooperate with international cooperationsia, developing countries and emerging countries ofon reducing greenhouse gas emissions, pursue a com-

Africa region such as Nigeria. Meanwhile, international

mon goal of richness = to prevent global warming attrade increased rapidly due to the increase in global

the same time without hampering economic develop-

trade (exports) from 3.6 trillion dollars to 19.0 trillion

ment.

1

1

2

dollars (5.3 times). Looking at the worldwide green2

house gas emissions, annual CO2 emissions from

2.2. Creation of innovation

combustion have expanded from 20.5 billion tons to
32.3 billion tons (1.6 times).

The new technology changes the supply and demand for energy and affects greenhouse gas emissions. It is necessary to constantly forecast how new

Industrialized countries have pursued the path ofsociety, economy, and life will change. About this inno-

mass consumption of fossil resources based on mass

vation by innovative technology, the next section ex-

production and mass consumption. As emerging andplains our group activities in various fields such as inter-

developing countries advance the same road, thenational collaboration, human resource development,

problems of energy security and global warming fur-intellectual property, industry-university collaboration.

100

100

50

50

20

20

10

10

5

5

2

2

1

1

0.5

0.5

0.2

0.2

0
500

1000

2000

4000

per person (GDP/capita, PPP$ inﬂation-adjusted)

8000

16k

32k

64k

128k

0
500

1000

2000

4000

per person (GDP/capita, PPP$ inﬂation-adjusted)

8000

16k

32k

64k

128k

Fig 2 : Income and CO2 emissions (1990-2014)13

R&D Activities⃝Research & Coordination Group

3. A quest for zero-emissions technology

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3.2. Example: Zero-emission of steel sector

To quest for new technical countermeasures,

The main materials in steel production are iron ore

RITE established a “CO2 Zero Emission Study Team”

and coal. By sending hot air from the bottom of theand conducted research on sector-specific counter-blast furnace, CO (monoacid carbonate gas), iron ore

measures such as electricity, transportation, and in-is reduced at a high temperature of 2,000 ℃ and taken

dustry. This section illustrates the results of the exam-out as hot metal (Fig. 3 left). Those reduction process

ination using energy-CO2 intensive steel manufacturing

can be replaced by carbon-free hydrogen / electric

which is one of the core industry as a sector-specificpower obtained from renewable energy. Those tech-approach.

nology and Electrolytic Reduction Method (right in Fig.
3, right) was developed by governments and steel in-

3.1. Sector-specific approach
The worldʼs artificial CO2 emissions account for
86% of the total in three divisions, 41% of power gen-

dustry. However, since the electricity from renewableenergy is used, the production cost is about 1.5 to 1.6
times expensive (Fig. 4).

eration, 25% of transportation and 20% of industries

The amount of electricity required for the new(steel, cement, chemistry etc.). Regarding the produc-manufacturing method is 17,270 TWh, which is equiv-

tion method without using fossil resources, i) Electricalent to about 70% of the worldwide electricity demand

power sector: renewable energy (solar / wind power),(Fig. 5).

ii) transport sector: electrification and zero emission
electric power, biofuel, iii) industrial sector: zero-emissions hydrogen utilization in steel were analyzed. Furthermore, the possibility of CCS (CO2 geological storage) / CCU (CO2 capture and utilization) were examinedwith the examples from the latest technology development trends.

Fig. 4 : Cost of Industrial zero emissions technology (steel)Fig. 3 : Industrial zero emissions technology (steel)Fig. 5 : Carbon-free hydrogen for zero emissions (steel)14

R&D Activities⃝Research & Coordination Group

4. Promotion of international partnership

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4.2. ISO4.1. IPCC

ISO (International Standard Organization) is an

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

organization composed of 162 standardization bodies

Change) has established in 1988 with a view to con-of various countries. Carbon dioxide capture and stor-

ducting a comprehensive assessment from a scientific,age (CCS) is one of the important options for global

technical and socioeconomic standpoint on climate

warming countermeasures because it has a great ef-change, impact, adaptation and mitigation measures

fect of reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. In

by anthropogenic sources, the United Nations Environ-

the world, a number of CCS verification projects on ament Program (UNEP), and the United Nations Envi-

commercial scale are also implemented, and interna-ronment Program (UNEP), and by the World Meteoro-

tional collaboration is under way. The international

logical Organization (WMO).

standard plays an important role, contributing to the

IPCC examines scientific knowledge on global
warming with three WGs, a global warming prediction

widespread use of safe and appropriate CCS technology.

(WG1), influence and adaptation (WG2), mitigation

RITE is a domestic deliberation organization on

measures (WG3). RITE plays a role in linking R & D,

ISO / TC 265 (collection, transportation, and storage ofsurvey and policies, playing the role of domestic sup-CO2) and is in charge of a secretariat of WG 1 (collec-

port secretariat of mitigation measures (WG 3) (Fig. 6).

tion). Through these activities, we are conducting inter-

This outcome is to have a high influence on interna-

national standardization on design, construction, oper-

tional negotiations because the scientific basis is also

ation, environmental planning and management, risk

given to the policies of each country. IPCC started the

management, quantification, monitoring and verifica-

next sixth evaluation cycle (AR 6) for 2022, and in 2018

tion, and related activities in the CCS field through in-

the author was selected. RITE also provides support

ternational standardization (Fig. 7). In 2018, RITE pub-through information gathering, analysis, and reporting.

lished an international standard on measurement,
evaluation and reporting method of CO2 recovery performance at combustion process at power plants (ISO27919-1).

Fig. 6 : Committee Structure and RITE

Fig. 7 : ISO/TC265 Structure15

R&D Activities⃝Research & Coordination Group

5. Human development and industry collaboration

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5.2. Intellectual property and industry collabora-

5.1. Human development

tion<Elementary and high school students>

RITE acquires and manages intellectual property

RITE promotes extracurricular learning using re-rights such as patents and know-how strategically andsearch facilities for elementary, junior high and highefficiently on results obtained in R&D.

school students. And RITE also welcomes teaching re-of 2018, the patents owned by RITE are 129 domestic

quests where staff members visit schools using teach-rights (14 of which are licensed to companies) and 65

ing materials and equipment. Such demands for hu-

foreign. RITE has established an IP managementman development are growing year by year. In 2018,

Committee and operates it with intellectual property

we held classes and workshops for a total of 419 stu-

experts (Fig. 9).

As of the end

dents. For example, we picked up CCS technology

In order to develop academic research, it is im-from RITEʼs research and explained the global warm-

portant to create knowledge as a public property of theing mechanism. We are conducting activities based on

world by publishing research papers. In addition, we

the learning cycle such as deepening understanding

have patented inventions of researchersʼ creation andthrough discussion and exchange of views (Fig. 8a).

granted licenses to challenging enterprises. As a re-<University / Postgraduate student>

sult, it is possible to accelerate industrialization and

RITE is promoting collaboration of education withsimultaneously promote public interest and innovation

universities as part of human development supporting

as a public research institution. Intellectual property

the next research and technology. We are accepting

brings up opportunities to cooperate with industries. It

young talented people, mainly graduate students, tois expected that a virtuous circle is created based on

the research site. Here, we are developing education

appropriate information management and contracts toat the university and research guidance at the labora-

create further intellectual property. It is also expected

tory (Fig. 8b). RITE established a university collabora-that the aspect of the intellectual property that enables

tive laboratory in the field of bioscience with Nara Insti-

related technologies to be used to support standards,

tute of Science and Technology. Here we are conducting

such as collaboration with international standards

research and education aimed at realizing a recy-(such as section 4.2). Based on the market and othercling-type and low-carbon society by using renewable

research and development trends, RITE promotes in-resources effectively using biomass as a raw material

tellectual property strategically.

Knowledge

Study
Cycle

ActionUnderstanding

Research
LeaderTutor

Research
Trainee

Student

Fig. 8 : RITE and Environment Education (Primary, Middle and Higher Education)

16

R&D Activities⃝Research & Coordination Group

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Fig. 9 : Strategic IP management and Industrial collaboration

6. Conclusion
The concern of the world is gathering up as measures against global warming by innovation. In IPCC
6th Evaluation Cycle (AR 6), where work has alreadybegun, a new chapter called “Innovation, Technology
Development, and Transfer” was established. i) Sustainable growth through innovation and achievement of
the Paris Agreement, ii) Systems and policies to create
innovation, iii) International partnership, iv) Environments to promote change and innovation, v) New destructive technologies, etc. RITE is to deepen the verification of this issue. This means that new perspectives
such as compatibility of the wealth and the global envi-

Reference
1) RITE, “The Role of RITE”(http://www.rite.or.jp/about/).
2) OECD, “Air and climate:Greenhouse gas emissions by source”,
OECD Environment Statistics (database https://doi.org/10.1787/
data-00594-en.)(2019).
3) Gapminder Tools (https://www.gapminder.org).
4) IEA, “CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion”, IEA data service subscriptions (2018).
5) IPCC, “AR5 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2014” (2014).
6) IPCC, “Summary for Policymakers of IPCC Special Report on
Global Warming of 1.5℃ approved by governments” (2018).
7) IPCC, “” (2018).
8) Grubler A, Wilson C, Bento N, Boza-Kiss B, Krey V, McCollum D,
Rao N, Riahi K, et al. (2018). A low energy demand scenario formeeting the 1.5℃ target and sustainable development goals without negative emission technologies. Nature Energy 3: 517-525.
9) Copeland, B and Taylor, S Trade and Environment: Theory andEvidence, Princeton University Press(2003).

ronment are added by realizing a new society and life,10) Pearson, C Economics and the Global Environment, Cambridge

rather than a accumulation of partial improvement by11) Ishikawa Shota, Okuno Masahiro, Seino Kiyono “Environmental

replacing old technology with new technology. The

policy under international interdependence” “Institutional design

RITE mission is to conduct research on innovativetechnologies, as well as to promote international collaboration, address issues necessary for innovationsuch as human development, intellectual property development, industry collaboration contributing to theachievement of “a balance between the global environment and the economy”.

University Press (2000).

for protection of the global environment” The University of Tokyo
Press (2005).
12) Koichi Ogawa “Open & Close Strategy (Enhanced Ver.)” Shoeisha (2014).
13) Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education,
Culture,Sports,ScienceandTechnology“Industry-Aca-demia-Government Collaboration - Present State of Intellectual
Property Policy (Science and Technology, Science Council)”(2013).
14) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry “Annual Report on Energy in FY2004 (Energy White Paper 2018)” (2018).
15) Ministry of the Environment “Environment White Paper in FY2018”(2018).

1 GDP, current prices (Purchasing power parity; billions of international dollars)
2 Merchandise exports (annual, Million US dollar)

17

R&D Activities⃝Systems Analysis Group

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Systems Analysis Group[Key Members]

Keigo AkimotoGroup Leader,
Chief Researcher

Toshimasa Tomoda, Chief Researcher
Takahiro Nagata, Associate Chief
Researcher
Kenichi Wada, Senior Researcher
Miyuki Nagashima, Senior Researcher
Takashi Homma, Senior Researcher
Fuminori Sano, Senior Researcher
Junichiro Oda, Senior Researcher
Hironobu Yamakawa, Senior Researcher
Haruo Kanaboshi, Senior Researcher(concurrent)

Ayami Hayashi, Senior Researcher
Yosuke Arino, Researcher
Keii Gi, Researcher
Nan Wang, Researcher
Shuning Chen, Researcher

Research Activities in Systems Analysis GroupThe Systems Analysis Group aims to provide valu-

and since then the leveling for 2013-2016 can be re-able information about response measures to global

garded as short-term adjustments returning to the long

warming and energy issues through systemic ap-

term trend for the emissions. In addition, in some de-proaches and analyses. We present here three re-veloped countries, decouplings were observed. In or-

search topics out of our recent research activities; 1)

der to examine why those emission trends were ob-analyses on decoupling between GDP and CO2 emis-

served, we analyzed consumption-based emissions

sions, 2) evaluations on contribution of environmental-

and evaluated the relevant potential factors.

ly friendly products diffusions to global emission reductions, and 3) Evaluation of global warming mitigation
measures under different socioeconomic scenarios
considering developments of sharing economy. Ourgroup has been contributing to the planning of betterclimate change policies and measures through suchanalyses and evaluations.
1. Analysis on decoupling between GDP and CO2
emission
1.1. Introduction
Relationships between GDP growths and CO2

Figure 1 : Relationship between global GDP and energy-related
CO2 emissions

1.2. Estimations of consumption-based CO2 emissions

emission increases showed strong positive correla-

We estimated consumption-based CO2 emissions

tions until recently. However, for the recent several

for the years 2000-2014 which include temporarily

years, the correlations were not always observed, andsluggish emissions at a global level. Evaluating contri-

it is pointed out that decoupling between GDP growthbutions to global decoupling requires considerations

and CO2 emission increase may start to take place.

on international allocation of productions, trades andFigure 1 shows global GDP and CO2 emissions. For

national consumption structures. Importantly, these are

2013-2016, global emissions remained mostly leveledreflected in consumption-based emissions evaluation.

and for the limited short-terms the decoupling was ob-

Production-based CO2 emissions are emissions

served, whereas in 2017 global emissions increased

from combustions of fossil fuels generated inside theagain. Based on the long-term trend, emissions for

territory of the country. These are equivalent to com-

2009-2013 increased greatly above the historical trend

mon CO2 emissions statistics. On the other hand, con-18

R&D Activities⃝Systems Analysis Group

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sumption-based emissions are direct and indirect

dependencies did not largely expand during the years.

emissions generated to meet the domestic demand of

In the U.S., difference between consumption- andthe country, regardless of production sites. National

production-based CO2 emissions increased substan-consumption-based emissions include emissions em-

tially towards 2006, which were similar to EU. Howev-

bodied in imports and exclude emissions embodied iner, the difference turned to decrease due to expansion

exports.

of domestic production of shale gas launched around

IEA statistics and international input-output tables

2006, possibly inducing reshoring of manufacturing in-(WIOD) were used. The results indicate that major de-dustry because of the availability of cheaper energy.

veloped countries have constantly higher consump-

The difference became almost flat after 2009.

tion-based emission than production-based. However
the time-series trends are different among countries.

CO2 intensities of GDP (CO2 divided by GDP) for
major developed countries were compared. By using

Figure 2 shows production- and consumption-

production-based emissions, Japan has lower growth

based CO2 emissions for EU28. Growth of consump-rates of CO2 intensity improvements compared to othertion-based CO2 was larger until 2008 than that of pro-regions (Fig.4(a)). However, when comparing by using

duction-based, expanding difference between

consumption-based CO2 intensity, the intensity of Ja-

consumption- and production-based CO2. Those are

pan was almost the same level as that in EU28 aver-because of increases in emissions embodied in im-age or UK after 2011 (Fig.4(b)). The increase of Japanports (mainly of machinery from China). While produc-

was caused by shutdown of nuclear power plants aftertion-based emissions for EU decreased, imports in-2011.

creased and then the embodied emissions in imports
increased. As a result, the contributions to global emissions reduction were not large. But, after the financial
crisis, the differences were shrinking. Althoughamounts of imports increased continuously, sectoral
CO2 intensities of imports in the production sites decreased considerably after late 2000s.

Figure 3 : P roduction-based and consumption-based CO 2
emissions for Japan

Figure 2 : P roduction-based and consumption-based CO 2
emissions for EU28

On the other hand, in Japan, changes in consumption-based CO2 emissions were similar to thosein production-based, and the differences were gradual-

Figure 4 : C
 O2 emissions per real GDP for major countries
Note: GDP is based on constant US$ at 2010 in market exchange rate.

1.3. Summary

ly shrinking (Fig.3). Those results indicate that manu-

Decoupling between GDP and CO2 emissions in-facturing industries having relatively higher emission

creases is important for sustainable climate change

intensities maintained at relatively high levels in Japan,

mitigation. This study estimating consumption-based

and then carbon leakage due to increases in import

CO2 emissions indicates that decouplings observed in19

R&D Activities⃝Systems Analysis Group

regions like EU were caused by increases in import

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2.3. Evaluations on global GHG emission reduction

dependencies rather than changes in consumption

measuresstructures, and then the emissions were transferred to

Figure 5 shows the global GHG emission reduc-other regions. Fundamental changes in consumption

tions by sector and measure in 2050 estimated withstructures, that is innovation of final goods and ser-

DNE21+ model. Under the baseline scenario, thevices, leading to globally harmonized measures, areemission will reach 80 GtCO2eq./yr in 2050. For emis-

necessary to achieve deep decoupling globally.

sion reductions of 40%-70% compared to 2010, various kinds of measures including efficiency improve-

2. Evaluations of contribution of diffusions and de-ment and fuel switching of fossil fuel power, large

ployments of environmentally friendly products

deployments of nuclear power and renewables, andto global CO2 emission reductions

CCS in power sector are necessary. In end-use sec-

2.1. Introduction
METI delivered a “Long-term Climate Change

tors, all sectors also need to reduce their emissions
including non-CO2 GHG emissions.

Platform” report in April 2017. The report recommends
to enhance three pillars: “international contribution”,“global value chain”, and “innovations” for achieving
deep emission reductions. In November 2018, Keidanren, a Japanese business association, delivered a report including some examples for “Emission reduction
contributions through global value chain” in which several kinds of environmentally friendly products and services are deployed broadly in several sectors.
On the other hand, RITE has been estimating
emission reduction contributions and economic im-

Figure 5 : G lobal GHG emission reductions by sector andmeasures in 2050 (estimated by DNE21+)

pacts for 2050 through environmentally friendly products by using a global energy systems model DNE21+

2.4. Methodology for estimating contributions toand economic model DEARS for systematic evalua-

global emission reductions in the whole of GVC

tions on the global contributions in the whole of “global

Emission reduction contributions in the whole ofvalue chain (GVC)”.

GVC can be attributed to emission reductions of products in end-use of final energy and embodied energies

2.2. Assumptions on emission reduction scenarios

in production processes. For the treatment in DNE21+,

According to the IPCC, the GHG emission path-the contributions are estimated for the final energy

ways for achieving the concentration levels at 430-480

consumptions in end-use of products, e.g., electric

ppm CO2eq. in 2100 will be able to achieve below 2 ℃

products and automobiles, and the energy consump-compared to the preindustrial level with over 66%

tions in production process, e.g., power generation andprobability. As for emission reductions, the global GHG

steel making (Figure 6). This treatment covers all emis-

emissions in 2050 are required to be from 40 to 70%
reductions compared to the 2010 level. This study estimated the emission reduction contributions and GDP
impacts for the above two global levels, and threeemission levels for Japan: 50%, 65%, and 80% reductions as compared to 2013.

Figure 6 : S ystem boundary image for estimating emission
reduction contributions in supply-chain

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sions in GVC without double counting of energy andtributions of Japanese firms. Impacts of investment in-emissions.

crease for oversea deployment of environmentally

The following assumptions were employed for es-

friendly products on Japanese GDP are estimated fortimating contributions of Japan to the global emission

the different levels of global and Japanʼs emission re-reductions considering the limits of data availabilities.

ductions.

- The recent historical share of the amount of produc-

Table 2 shows the GDP impacts in Japan. Theretions by Japanese firms were basically adopted forcan be possibility to achieve compatibility of both envi-

estimating the contribution by final products.

ronment and economy under 50% emission reductions- For the sectors and technologies whose shares can-in Japan if the investment increase of Japan which will

not be obtained easily, the share of value added inbe accompanied with the oversea deployment of envi-

machinery sector (7% for Japan) were adopted.

ronmentally friendly products of Japan are considered.

The assumed contribution shares for each sector
and technology were adopted as shown in Table 1.
Table 1 : The assumed share in contribution of Japan by sector
and technology for GVC
SectorPower

Technologies

Share of JapanOn the other hand, under the case of 80% reduction in Japan, the oversea contributions will become
small due to constraints of productions in Japan andthe contribution will not be able to offset the negative
impacts on GDP due to domestic emission reductions

Nuclear

19%

Wind (onshore)

0%in Japan. Then, totally negative GDP impacts were es-

Wind (offshore)

6%

timated.

Photovoltaics

4%

Solar thermal

0%

Figure 7 shows the emission reduction effects in
2050 including the contributions to GVC considering

Hydro

0%

Geothermal

55%

the domestic impacts on productions which will be con-

High-efﬁciency fossil fuel

21%

Other

7%

strained by domestic emission reductions. The domes-

Fuel switching among fossil fuels0%

tic emission reductions of 80% in Japan is larger but inOther energy conversion sector

7%

global scale total reductions can be smaller than thoseIndustry

7%

Transportation (automobiles)

28%

of 50%, because the domestic productions for environ-Transportation (other)

7%

Building

13%

Land-use change (afforestation etc.)

0%

Industrial process CO2 and non-CO2 GHG

7%mentally friendly products should become small under
80% reductions.
Table 2 : G
 DP impacts of Japan in 2050 compared to the baseline
World: -40%

2.5. Global GHG emission reduction contributions and
GDP positive impacts through GVC measures
The contributions of Japan in amounts of investment of environmentally friendly products by sector in

World: -70%

w/o
with
w/o
with
overseaoverseaoverseaoversea
contribution contribution contribution contribution
Japan: -50%

-0.9%

+0.8%

-1.0%

Japan: -65%

-2.0%

-0.3%

-2.7%

+1.6%
-0.4%

Japan: -80%

-7.2%

-6.5%

-7.1%

-6.1%

the world were estimated from the global investment
for 2 ℃ scenarios (corresponding to Fig. 5) and theassumed shares of contribution of Japan (Table 1). The
amounts of investments estimated by DNE21+ include
the construction costs which will be invested mainly byoversea firms. The share of machinery in total investments was 53% according to the report by Japan Machinery Center for Trade and Investment. But this number also includes general machineries which can beprovided by domestic firms, and therefore 26% which
is a half of the number was simply adopted for the con-Figure 7 : T he emission reduction of Japan including thecontributions to GVC in 2050

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2.6. Summary of the evaluations for GVC

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mous car. However, there might be potentials of in-

The emission reduction potentials in Japan are

crease in transportation demand caused by its conve-

limited mainly because high energy efficiency levels

nience and affordability, as well as competition against

are already achieved. Under these situation, it will be

public transportation. Besides, users have various

very important to focus on reductions of global emis-

preference which might not be considered well in Tablesions in energy end-use stage by oversea deployments

3. These are future works.

of environmentally friendly products as well as produc-

Table 3 : Assumptions in shared autonomous cartion processes. This is an approach with LCA thinking.
Business-based competitions for larger diffusions and

Items

Assumptions

deployments of such products among firms will achieve

Additional cost of 10000$ in 2030, 5000$ in 2050, 2800$ inautonomous car per 2100, assuming cost reduction with technolovehicle
gy development

a compatibility of environment and economy in a sus-

Utilization rate

3 times more than conventional private car(ref. 30,000km per vehicle in Japan)

Lifetime

7 to 12 years, depending on the region(conventional private car is assumed as 13 to
20 years)

tainable manner. This study tried to analyze the effects
quantitatively and consistently.
3. Evaluation of global warming mitigation measures under different socioeconomic scenarios
considering developments of sharing economy
3.1. Introduction

Assumed to increase with ride-sharing. 1.75
persons in 2050, 2 persons in 2100, irrespecNumber of passentive of the region
gers per 1 car(1.1 to 1.5 in 2050, 1.1 to 1.3 in 2100 for conventional private car assumption)
Fuel economy

Same as conventional private car

In recent years sharing economy is drawing attention. Although it covers various sectors widely, there

3.3. Assumed scenario of crude steel production

are two kinds of services currently offered in mobility,

Under the above assumptions, our evaluation

i.e. car-sharing and ridesharing. These services have ashows that prevalence of shared autonomous car will

potential to be made more efficient by the technology

suppress passenger car fleet and new car sales 25%

development like IT or AI. As for cars themselves, au-and 41% in 2050, respectively, compared with thetonomous driving technology is under development

baseline. As a result, steel sheet demand for automo-

utilizing these technologies. These technology devel-bile is estimated to be 58% of the baseline, and total

opment may realize a society that shares autonomous

crude steel demand is to be 96% of the baseline.

cars as one of possible futures.
This study evaluated global warming countermea-

This study evaluates global warming countermeasures in consideration of this decrease.

sures under a socioeconomic scenario in considerationof car-sharing and ridesharing induced by fully autonomous vehicles, by enhancing the DNE21+ model.

3.4. Results of model analysis
Impacts of shared autonomous car on 2 climate
policies, the baseline scenario and the 2℃ scenario

3.2. Assumed shared autonomous car(emission pathways equivalent to NDCs until 2030,

When fully autonomous driving will be realized isand -40% emissions in 2050 compared to 2010 withuncertain because there exist a lot of issues not only

>50% chance to achieve 2℃), are evaluated under 3technological ones but also legal ones. In this study,socioeconomic scenarios described in Table 4. As-

the autonomous vehicle is assumed to be available insumed socioeconomic scenarios are SSP2, a medium

2030 and thereafter, and the analysis is for passenger

scenario in SSPs (Shared Socioeconomic Pathways)

cars only. Other assumptions are described in table 3.
Among passenger transportation demand within
the road transportation sector, the DNE21+ model distinguishes passenger cars and buses. In this study, thedemand by transportation mode is assumed to be thesame, irrespective of the realization of shared autono-

Table 4 : Analyzed scenarios
Scenarios

Description

SSP2

Medium (Middle of the Road)

SSP1

Higher technology development (Sustainability)

S S P 1 + s h a r e d Higher tech. development + shared autonomous
autonomous car car + decrease in crude steel production

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that are studied among international research commu-

price is necessary to compensate for the increased ve-

nities on climate change, and SSP1 which assumes

hicle cost within 3 years of assumed payback period.

sustainable future. SSP1 assumes a higher level ofMarginal abatement costs (MAC) of CO2 in 2050

technology development and thus more cost reduction

are estimated to be 171$/tCO2 in SSP2, 125$/tCO2 inof EV or FCV than SSP2. SSP1+shared autonomous

SSP1, and 94$/tCO2 in SSP1+shared autonomous car.

car is our original scenario that assumes more preva-

Large decline in energy consumption in transportation

lence of shared autonomous car.

sector may occur in SSP1+shared autonomous car

Figure 8 and 9 show passenger car fleet by tech-with lower MAC, so this may induce lower emission

nology and energy consumption in transportation sec-

reduction levels required for other sectors to achieve

tor under each scenario. Compared with SSP2 which-40% compared with 2010, as well as a small amount

mainly adopts conventional ICE, SSP1 achievesof introduction of coal power plants without CCS whichbroader prevalence of EV or FCV and lower energy

cannot be allowed under stringent emission reduc-consumption in transportation sector even in the base-tions.

line. SSP1+shared autonomous car estimates muchlarger decrease in passenger car fleet caused by

3.5. Summary

car-sharing and ridesharing, as well as substantial de-This analysis quantitatively estimates global

crease in energy consumption due to the suppression

warming countermeasures under different socioeco-

of vehicle kilometers traveled while satisfying transpor-

nomic scenarios using the DNE21+ model, considering

tation demand(p-km) by ridesharing. Results show that

car-sharing and ridesharing that might be accelerated

socioeconomic scenarios (technology development or

by fully autonomous car, as well as decrease in crude

existence of shared autonomous car) cause larger dif-steel production caused by less car sales. Althoughference in estimates than the climate policy scenario

there remain important issues such as assumptions re-does between the baseline and the 2℃ target, be-garding shared autonomous cars or consistency withcause the passenger vehicle cost is relatively higher

other sectors, the result shows a potential ofthan the energy cost, and substantially higher carbon

SSP1+shared autonomous car scenario to decreaseenergy demand toward 2℃ target by social innovation
like massive prevalence of car-sharing and ridesharing
induced by IT or AI without unrealistically high MAC.

Reference
1) L. Fulton et al.; Three Revolutions in Urban Transportation (2017)

Figure 8 : Global passenger car fleet by technology in 2050

Figure 9 : Global energy consumption in transportation sector in
2050

23

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Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group[Key Members]

Masayuki Inui
Group Leader,
Chief Researcher

Akemi Sasaki, Deputy Group Leader,
Associate Chief Researcher
Ken-ichi Inatomi, Associate Chief
Researcher
Haruhiko Teramoto, Associate Chief
Researcher
Kazumi Hiraga, Associate Chief Researcher
Yuya Tanaka, Senior Researcher
Masako Suda, Senior Researcher
Yukihiro Kitade, Senior Researcher
Koichi Toyoda, Senior Researcher
Naoto Kato, Senior Researcher

Satoshi Hasegawa, Senior Researcher
Akira Watanabe, Senior Researcher
Takahisa Kogure, Senior Researcher
Takeshi Kubota, Senior Researcher
Toshihiro Oshima, Senior Researcher
Shinichi Oide, Researcher
Ryoma Hashimoto, Researcher
Tetsu Shimizu, Researcher
Masayoshi Hashizume, Researcher
Tomoaki Hara, Researcher
Akiyoshi Higo, Researcher
Natalia Maria Theresia, Researcher

Development of Green Bioprocesses to Realize a Sustainable Society
1. Introduction

the “bioeconomy,” to produce biofuels and “green”

Biotechnology, which involves the use of biologicalchemicals from renewable sources (biomass). In thisprocesses, organisms, or systems, widely contributes

section, we provide an overview of global biofuel andto the fields of agriculture, industry, environment, med-

green chemical production.

ical treatment, etc. Recently the concept of “bioecono-

Bioethanol, a major biofuel, is produced from raw

my” has emerged, which maintains economic develop-

materials that include corn (in the U.S.) and sugarcane

ment while solving global environmental problems by(in Brazil), and mixed with 10%-25% gasoline for use inusing biotechnology and renewable resources. It origi-

automobile engines. The highest production and con-nated in Europe and the U.S. and is now gaining

sumption of bioethanol is in the U.S., where corn is aground in countries across Asia. According to the Or-major crop, with 15.9 billion gallons (60.1 million kL) of

ganization for Economic Cooperation and Develop-

bioethanol produced in 2018, according to estimates

ment (OECD), it is predicted that biotechnology could

provided by the U.S. Energy Information Administra-

contribute 2.7% (ca. $1,600 billion) to the GDP oftion. The obligation of renewable fuels of 19.3 billion

OECD countries by 2030. The greatest potential eco-

gallons in 2018 was covered to ca. 75% by corn-based

nomic contribution is predicted for industrial applica-

bioethanol, based on the U.S. Renewable Fuel Stan-tions, with 39% of the total output of biotechnology ex-

dard (RFS) proposed by Environmental Protection

pected in this sector (Fig. 1).

Agency (EPA).

Fig. 1 : Economic contribution of biotechnology

Our group is advancing the research and development of biorefinery technologies, core technologies ofFig. 2 : Biofuels outlook 2018-2027

According to the report Agricultural Outlook 2018-24

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2027, by OECD-FAO, 122 million kL of bioethanol were

According to European Bioplastics, global bioplas-

produced worldwide in 2018, with the U.S. accounting

tics production will reach 2.14 million tons in 2019, andfor approximately half of this production. This propor-

is expanding year by year. Legislation for the prohibi-tion does not change in these years.

tion of sales of disposable plastic bottles at parks, andAnother major biofuel, biodiesel, is produced fromobligations to collect and recycle them have been ap-

raw materials that include rape seed (in Europe) andproved in parts of Europe and the U.S. According to thesoybeans (in the U.S.), with 37 million kL of biodiesel

Japan BioPlastics Association, the shipment volume of

produced worldwide (Fig. 2). In Europe, France andbioplastics in Japan is predicted to be 40,000 tons inGermany are the highest biodiesel-consuming coun-2019. The Ministry of the Environment is planning totries, where about half of all automobiles have diesel

start new projects from 2019 to reduce plastic waste,engines. In recent years, the export of raw materials forsuch as the development of products made of biode-biodiesel production has been increasing from coun-gradable plastics.

tries like Argentina and Indonesia. However, the British
and French governments intend to end sale of fossil

2. Features of RITE Bioprocess

fuel-powered vehicles by 2040, and the judgment by

In RITE Bioprocess, cells of a Corynebacterium

which city driving of automobiles having diesel engines

glutamicum strain engineered to have an optimal met-is prohibited was approved in Germany. Therefore, theabolic pathway for a target chemical are grown on ause of conventional internal combustion engines islarge scale, packed to very high densities in a reactor,

predicted to decline in the future, particularly in Eu-

and allowed to produce the target metabolite (Fig. 3).

rope.

The key to our process is a unique property of C. glu-

Second generation cellulosic biofuels are pro-tamicum. The bioconversion of feedstock to target

duced from agricultural wastes such as corn stover,product proceeds without microbial cell growth, achiev-

therefore their production does not affect food supply,

ing higher efficiency and productivity compared withwhich is expected to reduce large CO2 emission.

conventional fermentative processes, in which the for-Large-scale commercial cellulosic ethanol production

mation of products and biomass inevitably occurs inplants are in operation in the U.S. and Brazil, and aparallel. Metabolic engineering enabled our microbial

new plant was reported to have opened in Europe incatalyst to simultaneously utilize C5 & C6 sugars, and2018 (each company website). The EPA target for the

we also found that C. glutamicum is highly tolerant toproduction of cellulosic biofuel in 2019 is 418 million

fermentation inhibitors contained in cellulosic hydroly-

gallons (1.6 million kL), based on RFS rules.

sates such as furans, demonstrating that the RITE Bi-

Biojet fuels, which are a trump card for the reduc-oprocess is compatible with cellulosic non-food bio-tion of CO2 emission from aircraft, have become widely

mass (see RITE Today 2013-2018). Using the RITE

popular among global commercial airlines. Biojet fuels

Bioprocess, we have achieved production of ethanol,

are produced from raw materials such as used cooking

lactic acid, and various amino acids, with remarkably

oil. Since 2018 RITE has also provided technical assis-

high yields. We are currently applying this technology

tance to a new private project to produce biojet fuel,to the microbial production of butanol, biojet fuels, andusing bio-isobutanol as an intermediate material (seearomatic compounds belonging to high-functional

Topics).

chemical compounds. In the following sections, we de-Green chemicals
Environmental pollution by single-use throwaway
containers, disposable plastic bottles, and similar items
has gained prominence and received attention as a
global problem. In addition, the prohibition of the importation of waste plastic in China and southeast Asia
has had a big impact on plastic recycling systems inJapan. Given this background, the use of bioplastics
and biodegradable plastics made from renewable resources, such as biomass, is expected to increase.

Fig. 3 : Features of RITE Bioprocess25

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scribe recent progress we have made in our researchchemical oligomerization of biobutanol. This wasinto the production of biofuels and green chemicals.

based on a new idea that if acetic acid is included in
mixed sugars from pretreated biomass, it can be con-

3. Biofuel production research and development

verted to ethanol by engineered C. glutamicum by in-

3.1. Biobutanol

troducing new genes. Therefore, the mixtures are uti-

Butanol is more suitable as a gasoline additive

lized for bioproduction of butanol and ethanol, whichthan ethanol due to its physicochemical properties, in-can then be subjected to chemical oligomerization for

cluding higher energy content, lower vapor pressure,jet fuels.

and lower water solubility. It can also be used as a

The distillation of biobutanol solution requires astarting material for the production of biojet fuel usinglarge amount of energy. To reduce the amount of ener-

conventional chemical reactions. Biojet fuel synthe-

gy needed, we developed an energy-saving biobuta-

sized from biobutanol can be used in airplanes. Airlines

nol-recovery process using a combination of distillation

and aircraft manufacturers have paid great attention toand pervaporation (PV), which achieved up to 90%

biojet fuel, since it has been recognized as being of key

energy savings. We achieved the highest biobutanol

importance for reductions in CO2 emissions. Biojet fuelproductivity in the world. We then attempted to further

synthesized from butanol is often referred to as “alco-enhance this fast and highly efficient process for the

hol-to-jet” (ATJ) fuel. ATJ fuel has been approved byproduction of biobutanol by improving butanol resis-

the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

tance, optimizing metabolic pathways, and developing

and is ready for use in commercial aircraft (http://www.

energy-saving butanol purification techniques.

gevo.com/).
We have developed a genetically engineered C.

3.2. Green jet fuelglutamicum that exhibits highly efficient production ofPetroleum-based jet fuels are mixtures of hydro-

butanol. We have been conducting a research project

carbons that consist of n-paraffins, isoparaffins, cyclo-

to investigate cellulosic butanol production since 2015

paraffins, and aromatic compounds with 9-15 carbon(see Topics in RITE Today, 2016), funded by the Minis-

atoms. The proportion of each type of hydrocarbon intry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The advan-

jet fuels varies, reflecting the type and geographicaltages of our production process include the following:

origin of the crude oils from which they are derived.

(i) cellulosic biomass can be used as feedstock, and (ii)production is fast and gives a high yield (Fig. 4).

Jet fuel must meet strict standards with regard toits physical properties, such as a specified freezing
point and density. Biojet fuels that have already beencertified by ASTM mainly consist of isoparaffins, andare permitted for use when blended with petroleum-based jet fuels at a proportion of up to 50%. However, it is not always possible to meet the required density standard using a 50/50 blend.

Fig. 4 : P roduction of biobutanol and biojet fuel by RITE
Bioprocess

Isoparaffins have lower densities than cycloparaffins and aromatics, and thus the density of petroleum-based jet fuels varies by production area, reflect-

Since butanol is highly toxic, we have developed aing the proportion of each type of hydrocarbon (Fig. 5).

genetically engineered Corynebacterium strain that

The density of isoparaffin-based biojet fuels is not up tohas high tolerant against the toxicity of butanol. The

jet fuel standards because of the absence of cyclopar-

strain exhibited very high productivity in the RITE Bio-affins and aromatics (Fig. 5). If these biojet fuels were

process. We accelerated the research and develop-

blended in a 50/50 mix with low-density jet fuels de-ment of biobutanol production from non-edible bio-

rived from crude oil from Africa or the Middle East, themass by collaborating with the U.S. National Renewable

resulting fuel would not be permissible as jet fuel be-

Energy Laboratory (NREL).

cause its density would not be up to jet fuel standard.

We have also been collaborating with the U.S. Pa-

Thus, we are developing a novel green jet fuel thatcific Northwest National Laboratories since 2017, re-contains cycloparaffins and aromatics as well isoparaf-

searching and developing the production of jet fuels byfins, so that it can meet ASTM density standards on its

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own. Our new green jet fuel can be blended with any

developed a biohydrogen production process. The hy-

jet fuels up to the limit full; furthermore, it can be useddrogen production rate our process has achieved is

as 100% green jet fuel with carbon number distribution

two orders of magnitude higher than that of conven-similar to that of petroleum-based jet fuels.

tional fermentation processes. Based on this achieve-

Our core strategy is to produce jet fuel range-

ment, our group is now conducting an international

branched and cyclic precursor compounds from various

collaborative research project, supported by METI. The

types of non-food biomass using an energy-saving bio-

purpose of this project is to bring about major improve-

process, and then convert them to isoparaffins, cyclopar-

ments in hydrogen yield by integrating dark fermenta-

affins, and aromatics using a simple chemical reaction.

tive and photo-fermentative hydrogen production pro-

We have almost established these base technology, andcesses. The latter process harnesses light energy,

successfully produced branched and cyclic precursors

whereas the former does not (Fig. 6).

with various carbon numbers, some of which have been

For this project we are collaborating with Kyoto

chemically converted to jet fuel components. Now we are

University, Japan, and the Center National de la Re-

improving their production yields toward next phase ofcherche Scientifique in France to develop expression

establishment of a continuous process. As part of the de-systems for hydrogen-producing enzymes for dark fer-velopment of our new green jet fuel, we also conducted

mentation. We are also metabolically engineering thea research project into novel versatile bioprocesses (seeacetate metabolism pathway used by a photosynthetic

Topics in RITE Today, 2018), which was funded by METI.

bacterium for photo-fermentation, to improve hydrogenyield from acetate, a by-product of dark fermentation.
Furthermore, we are examining the conditions necessary for hydrogen production from corn stover, in collaboration with NREL.

Fig. 5 : Comparison of the density of petroleum-based jet fuelsand biojet fuels

3.3. Biohydrogen

Fig. 6 : R esearch and development to investigate highly efficientbiohydrogen production from cellulosic biomass

Hydrogen is considered to be the ultimate clean energy source, because its combustion generates only wa-

4. Development of technologies for the production

ter. Although residential fuel cells and fuel cell vehicles

of bio-based chemicals

have been already put on the market, CO2 emission

4.1. NEDO Smart Cell project

during currently used hydrogen production processes is aInnovations in biotechnology have made it possi-

problematic issue, because fossil resources are used as

ble to expand the potential of biological functions. In

feedstock. This issue should be addressed by a medium-

response to current trends, METI has developed andor long-term research and development project to inves-defined the concept of the “Smart Cell”, a finely de-tigate hydrogen production technologies that use renew-

signed and expression-controlled cell. METI also pre-able and sustainable resources. In this context, METI has

sented a strategy to create a new industry (a “Smart

set a goal to establish a CO2-free hydrogen supply chain

Cell” industry), based on the cells.

by 2040, in a long-term technology roadmap.
Although bioprocesses have significant potential

To create this industry, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)

for CO2-free hydrogen production, innovative improve-

launched a project named “Development of Production

ments in technology are necessary to establish a

Techniques for Highly Functional Biomaterials Using

cost-effective biohydrogen production process. In col-Smart Cells of Plants and Other Organisms” (Smartlaboration with the Sharp Corporation, our group has

Cell Project). RITE has participated in this project since27

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ids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan), folate (vita-

it began.
The project is composed of two teams, the funda-

min B9), and coenzyme Q. All of these compounds aremental technology team and the validation team; RITE

derived from the shikimate pathway (Fig. 8). By em-

belongs to the latter. The members of the fundamental

ploying the metabolically engineered C. glutamicum,

technology team predict and suggest effective meta-

we have successfully established a highly efficient bio-

bolic modifications for better productivity, using analyt-process to produce the following aromatic compounds

ical tools such as computer-assisted simulation tech-from non-food ligno-cellulosic feedstock: shikimate, anology (Smart Cell design system). RITE engineers C.

key building block of the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu;

glutamicum strains following their suggestions and ac-

4-aminobenzoate, which is used as a building block ofquires experimental data. The fundamental technology

a potentially useful functional polymer; and aromatic

team improves the tools based on the data fed back tohydroxy acids, which have potential applications in thethem. This development cycle is repeated to enhancepolymer, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food indus-

predictability of the Smart Cell design system and pro-tries. Now we are seeking to develop new strains byductivity for obtaining target compounds (Fig.7).

introducing genes derived from versatile biological re-

We contributed to the improvement of the Smartsources for the production of useful aromatic com-Cell design system by providing a large amount ofpounds, which wild-type C. glutamicum is unable tofeedback data. We also achieved high productivity that

produce. The techniques developed in the Smart Cell

went beyond our intermediate goal. We are continuing

project, as described above, will help to accelerate

the development cycle to create hyperproducers suit-strain development and improve strain productivity.

able for practical uses.

Fig. 7 : Overview of the Smart Cell Project4.2. Expanding production technologies for various aromatic chemicals

Fig. 8 : Biosynthetic pathway for various aromatic compounds

5. Toward the industrialization of our technologies
5.1. Phenol / Aromatic compounds

Aromatic compounds are important industrial

Currently, commercial phenol can only be derived

chemicals used for polymer synthesis and also a di-from petroleum. We took on the challenge to developverse group of value-added chemicals, which find ap-

the worldʼs first manufacturing bioprocess for bio-

plications in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, flavor,

mass-derived phenol, which is considered to be diffi-

cosmetics, and food industries. While they are current-

cult, to aid global environmental conservation andly derived from petroleum or natural plant resources,

greenhouse gas reduction.

their environmentally-friendly biotechnological produc-

In May 2014, Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. andtion from renewable feedstocks is desirable from the

RITE established Green Phenol Development Co., Ltd.

viewpoint of creating a sustainable society that is no(GPD) to accelerate the industrialization of our bio-

longer dependent on petroleum resources and that has

mass-derived phenol-producing technology called theefficient production processes. Bacterial cells synthe-“Two-Step Bioprocess” (Fig. 9). In April 2018, GPD

size various aromatic compounds, including amino ac-changed its name to Green Chemicals Co., Ltd. (GCC)28

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our group members also participated in the first opera-

Since GCCʼs phenol-producing technology andtion and worked with local employees to lead the proj-

knowledge are applicable to the production of various

ect to a successful conclusion. As the result of an eval-other aromatic compounds, the establishment of eachuation by the Food Safety Committee in August 2017,

bioprocess for higher value-added chemicals and thethe safety of L-alanine produced by our strain for use

commercialization of products matched with custom-

as a food additive was confirmed, and it was madeersʼ needs are in progress.

commercially available as a food additive, in addition toits industrial applications. The L-alanine production
business was developed in conjunction with both a domestic and a foreign partner enterprise. In addition, we
are now working on a joint research project with GEI
for L-valine production, making a sample production
process by improving the strain and scaling up to begin

Fig. 9 : B iomass-derived phenol production by the Two-Step
Bioprocesscommercial production.
6.Closing remarks

5.2. Amino acids

METI announced 50,000 kL target of annual import

Normally, amino acid fermentation is carried out

volumes of foreign bioethanol for 5 years from 2018. Re-

under aerobic conditions. This requires aeration andduction standards for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

agitation to be properly controlled to attain high pro-in Japan were also revised, and diversification of suppli-

ductivity, but this is often difficult to achieve in large-

ers has been made possible, so bioethanol produced inscale fermenters because the oxygen concentration

the U.S. may become available. In the green chemical

inside them is not homogeneous. To overcome this

sector, a new project in which biotechnologies are fusedproblem, we have developed a new, genetically modi-with digital technologies, such as the internet of things orfied Corynebacterium strain for amino acid production

artificial intelligence, was started by the Japanese gov-

in the RITE Bioprocess, allowing the production of ami-

ernment in 2018, and RITE has joined this project (seeno acids to be carried out under anaerobic conditions.

Topics). In this project, it is expected that biotechnology

The technological hurdle for amino acid production un-

using Smart Cells, as described above, will perform a

der anaerobic conditions is to balance the redox reac-role as a core technology and create a wide range oftion without oxygen as an electron acceptor. To thisspin-off effects for manufacturing technology in the in-end, we introduced an artificial pathway for amino acid

dustrial sector as well as the energy sector (Fig. 10).

biosynthesis in microbial cells. Our group has solved
this technological hurdle and we published our research accomplishments in an international journal in2010 (Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 87: 159-165).
The Green Earth Institute Co., Ltd. (GEI) was established in 2011 for the industrialization of RITE Bioprocess. In 2011, RITE and GEI began collaborative
research into amino acid production using the RITE
Bioprocess, and have developed technologies for scaling up, growth of efficient production strains, and cost
reduction. Our first target was an amino acid, L-alanine, normally synthesized from a petrochemical product, but our goal was to produce this amino acid from

Fig. 10 : F usion of industry and energy based on digital andbiotechnologies

renewable resources, to reduce the life cycle carbon

Our group continues to put efforts into technology

footprint. In 2016, we succeeded in demonstrating thedevelopment to achieve innovative green processes,

feasibility of this production technique using the com-using Smart Cells as a core technology, and through thismercial-scale facilities of our partner company, which

research and development we hope to contribute to thewas an important milestone for industrialization. One offormation of low carbon and sustainable societies.

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Chemical Research Group[Key Members]

Shin-ichi Nakao
Group Leader,
Chief Researcher

Keisuke Sugita, Deputy Group Leader,
Chief Researcher
Koji Baba, Associate Chief Researcher
Katsunori Yogo, Associate Chief Researcher
Kenjiro Ishiguro, Senior Researcher
Teruhiko Kai, Senior Researcher
Kazuya Goto, Senior Researcher
Firoz Alam Chowdhury, Senior Researcher
Hidetaka Yamada, Senior Researcher
Shin Yamamoto, Senior Researcher
Makoto Ryoji, Senior Researcher

Fuminori Ito, Researcher
Tomohiro Kinoshita, Researcher
Nobuyuki Takayama, Researcher
Shuhong Duan, Researcher

Challenges Associated with the Advanced Industrialization of CO2
Capture Technologies
1. Technologies for CO2 capture

ture regenerable solid sorbent that we developed isCO2 capture and storage (CCS) involves the trap-

being evaluated for practical use. In lab-scale cyclic

ping of CO2 (a greenhouse gas) from the emissions

tests, our novel solid sorbent is capable of achieving

generated during fossil fuel combustion from such

1.5 GJ/t-CO2 in separation and capture energy. And,sources as electric power plants and factories and in-

we have established a large-scale synthesis technolo-

cludes the subsequent sequestration of the captured

gy that can produce the solid sorbent at a scale of 10

CO2 in geological formations. At present, the costs as-

m3. Research on the practical application is now under-sociated with capturing CO2 from emission sources

way in collaboration with a private company. In theaccount for approximately 60% of overall CCS expen-

near future, we will install a test facility to capture 40

ditures. Therefore, it is important to reduce the capture

t-CO2/day at a coal power plant for practical applica-

costs to allow the practical application of CCS.

tion.

The Chemical Research Group studies the differ-

Membrane separation is expected as an effective

ent CO2 capture technologies with a special focus onmeans of separating CO2 from high-pressure gas mix-

chemical absorption, adsorption, and membrane sepa-

tures at low cost and with low energy requirements. As

ration methods. This work involved the development ofa member of the Molecular Gate Membrane module

new materials and processing methods, as well as in-Technology Research Association, RITE has been de-vestigations of capture systems. The Group studies

veloping membranes and membrane elements using a

have thus far generated significant outcomes and as-

novel dendrimer/polymer hybrid membrane called thesisted in the progress of research in this particular field.

molecular gate membrane to selectively capture CO2Specifically, we developed high performancefrom pressurized gas mixtures containing H2, such as

chemical absorbents, and one such chemical absor-

those generated in the integrated coal gasification

bent with particular promise was selected for applica-

combined cycle (IGCC) at low cost and with low energy

tion in a commercial CO2 capture plant owned by ause. We are also developing membranes with large

private Japanese company and the second commer-

membrane areas using the continuous mem-cial plant started to work in July 2018.

brane-forming method and developing membrane ele-

On solid sorbent technology, we have also beenments for the mass production of membranes anddeveloping sorbents for CO2 capture to efficiently re-membrane elements in the future. In addition, we haveduce energy consumption. Currently, the low-tempera-

evaluated the separation performance and process30

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compatibility of our membranes and membrane ele-tion at less than 100℃. This result represents an im-ments using coal gasification gas at the University ofprovement over the current desorption temperature of

Kentucky - Center for Applied Energy Research (UK-

120℃. Beginning in FY 2013, the Phase I Step 2 wasCAER) in order to identify and then solve the technicalinitiated and ran until FY 2017. During this work, RITE

problems of membranes and membrane elements. In

and Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation con-addition, RITE joins the International Test Center Net-tinued to develop new absorbents that had the poten-

work (ITCN) and actively uses overseas networks to-tial to deliver high performance, and we clarified thewards the commercialization of CO2 separation andmechanism of performance development and related

recovery technology.

factors of a high-performance solvent.
The latest R&D phase (Phase II Step 1) started in

2. Development of CO2 capture technology basedon chemical absorption systems
CO2 capture by chemical absorption is a prospec-

2018. Based on the previous milestones, we are proceeding to develop advanced technologies in order toattain further innovative solvents (Fig. 2).

tive technology for the separation of CO2 from gas mixtures. This technique consists of the thermal desorption of CO2 following chemical absorption using anamine-based solution. Since the Cost-saving CO2
Capture System (COCS) project (funded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)), RITE conducts research and development on CO2 capture fromblast furnace effluent gas in the steel industry (Fig. 1).

Fig. 2 : Challenge for higher performance solvents

Regarding practical technology development, oneof the outstanding new absorbents was adopted foruse in commercial CCS plants (ESCAP) constructedby Nippon Steel & Sumikin Engineering Co., Ltd. The
first such CCS plant began operation in 2014; the secFig. 1 : T imeline of CO 2 capture technology developments(absorption)

ond CCS plant in 2018 (Fig. 3). The research results ofIn the COURSE 50 project (entrusted by the Na-

ture technology to different emission sources in the in-tional Energy Research Institute for New Energy and

RITE contribute to the practical application of CO2 capdustry.

Industrial Technology Development [NEDO]), which

Additionally, we have advanced the development

began in 2008, developing CO2 capture technology isof chemical absorbents for high-pressure gas mixtures

responsible for two-thirds of the overall CO2 reduction

containing CO2 to obtain excellent CO2 absorption andtarget. That means new results from RITE are highly

desorption performance. The purpose of these studies

anticipated.

has been the research of highly efficient absorbents

In the Phase I Step 1 of COURSE 50 (FY 2008-

that enable CO2 desorption while maintaining the high2012), RITE achieved the target CO2 capture energy

CO2 partial pressure of the initial gas mixture. These

consumption value of 2.0 GJ/t-CO2. In addition, signifi-

are termed high-pressure regenerable absorbents. Us-

cant new absorbents were developed for CO2 desorp-

ing these novel absorbents, the energy consumption

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bents are composed of amine absorbents for chemical
absorption and porous materials (Fig. 5). They have
similar CO2 adsorption characteristics with liquid amine
absorbents. Furthermore, they make it possible to significantly reduce the energy consumed as sensible
heat and evaporative latent heat in the regeneration
process.
Novel amines synthesized by RITE have been
employed for our developed solid sorbents (Fig. 6). We
had introduced a functional group of specific configuraFig. 3 : Snapshot of the second commercial plant for supplying
CO2 as industrial gas*The construction site is Sumitomo Joint Electric Power Co. Ltd.
The photo is provided by Nippon Steel & Sumikin Engineering
Co., Ltd..

tion to a commercially available amine compound, andthen RITE successfully fabricated innovative high-performance solid sorbents capable of low-temperatureregeneration with high adsorption capacities. We haveduring the CO2 compression process following capture

obtained U.S. and Japanese patents for these solid

is significantly reduced owing to the high pressure ofsorbents.

the captured CO2.
Several new solvent systems designed previously
have demonstrated high CO2 recovery levels in conjunction with superior CO2 absorption and desorption
rates. These capabilities are in addition to a relatively
low heat of reaction under high-pressure conditions
above 1 MPa (Fig. 4). The total energy consumption
rate for CO2 separation and capture when using thisprocess, including the energy required for compression, has been estimated to be less than 1.1 GJ/t-CO2.

Fig. 5 : Liquid absorbent and solid sorbent(Absorption: 1.6 MPa-CO2, desorption: 4.0 MPa-CO2).

Fig. 6 : RITE Amine

The result of the process simulation based on theperformance of our developed solid sorbents showed
the potential of 1.5 GJ/t-CO2 for the separation andcapture energy. When this CO2 capture technology isFig. 4 : C
 O2 pressure-solubility relationships for high-pressure
regenerable absorbents

applied to the coal-fired power generation, the reduction of power generation efficiency is expected to improve by about 2% compared to conventional chemical

3. Solid sorbent technology

absorption technology (2.5 GJ/t-CO2).

RITE has developed solid sorbents during a proj-

Under a project aimed at the advancement of CO2

ect aimed at the advancement of CO2 capture technol-

capture technologies (R&D of Advanced Solid Sor-ogies funded by METI from 2010 to 2014. Solid sor-bents for Commercialization) funded by METI since FY

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2015 (since FY 2018, transferred to NEDO), we areare being evaluated. We also are improving equipment

conducting the optimization of materials for practicalfor high CO2 purity, selecting suitable measuring devic-

use, the optimization and the efficiency promoting of

es for water in the gas, and extracting problems forthe solid solvent processes, and the construction of

actual gas testing. Thus far, we have achieved 5.5

simulation technology for the system, additionally,

t-CO2/day as the scale of CO2 capture (Fig. 8).

working with Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), Ltd., todevelop a moving-bed system of bench-scale for coal
combustion exhaust gas.
So far, we have selected solid support with properties suitable to the moving-bed system. In addition, we
have developed the synthesis method for materials ona larger scale. As a result, the midterm goal, which isthe establishment of solid sorbent synthesis on a scaleof 10 m3, has been achieved.
The solid sorbents prepared by the establishedFig. 8 : Result on bench-scale test for example

method (10 m3 scale) were evaluated by using a lab-

We plan to build a pilot-scale plant of 40 tons-CO2/

scale fixed-bed test apparatus (Fig. 7). These tests

day in a coal-fired power station, and a practical ex-

were conducted by using the steam-aided vacuum

haust gas test will be carried out (announced Septem-

swing adsorption (SA-VSA) process in which steam

ber 2017). We are working on the R&D roadmap towas supplied in a desorption process. The optimized

establish a solid sorbents system that has much higher

operation process has shown that RITE solid sorbents

performance in the capture of CO2 from coal fired pow-

are able to capture high-purity (> 99%) CO2 from a sim-

er generation (Fig. 9).

ulated flue gas (12% CO2) at high yields (> 90%) under
60℃. In this case, the energy consumption for regeneration steam at 60℃ was extremely low (< 1.2 GJ/tCO2), demonstrating that RITE solid sorbents had superior performance for CO2 capture.

Fig. 9 : Project roadmap

4. CO2 and H2 separation using polymeric membranes
The Japanese government announced the Cool
Earth 50 project in May 2007 with the aim of reducing
Fig. 7 : Lab-scale apparatus for CO2 capture test

the countryʼs CO2 emissions to half the current amountby 2050. One promising means of lowering CO2 emis-

Currently, the bench-scale combustion exhaustsions is the development of Integrated coal Gasifica-

gas test is underway by the moving-bed system in-tion Combined Cycle with CO2 Capture and Storagestalled at KHI using RITE solid sorbents prepared by(IGCC-CCS) using CO2 selective membranes (Fig.

the established method: the movement characteristic

10). For this reason, we are currently developing novel

and the CO2 capture performance of the solid sorbent

CO2 selective membrane modules that effectively sep-33

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arate CO2 during the IGCC process.
We found that novel polymeric membranes composed of dendrimer / polymer hybrid materials (termedmolecular gate membranes) exhibit excellent CO2/H2
separation performance. Fig. 11 presents a schematicthat summarizes the working principles of a moleculargate membrane. Under humidified conditions, CO2 reacts with the amino groups in the membrane to form
either carbamate or bicarbonate, which then blocks thepassage of H2. Consequently, the amount of H2 diffusing to the other side of the membrane is greatly reduced, and high concentrations of CO2 can be obtained.

Fig. 12 : C
 O 2 selective membrane, membrane element, andmembrane module.
Membrane element: The structure with large membrane area
composed of the membrane, support, and spacer, etc.
Membrane module: The structure in which the membraneelement is placed.

pan, CO2 Separation Membrane Module Research andDevelopment Project (FY 2011-2014) and CO2 Separation Membrane Module Practical Research and Development Project (FY 2015-2018) in the current
NEDO project, CO2 Separation Membrane Module
Practical Research and Development (FY 2018- ), we
Fig. 10 : Schematic of the IGCC process with CO2 capture by CO2
selective membrane modules.

are developing membranes with large membrane areas by a continuous membrane-forming method anddeveloping the membrane elements. We started to
conduct pre-combustion CO2 capture tests using realgas from the coal gasifier of the University of Kentucky
Center for Applied Energy Research (UK-CAER) in the
U.S. to examine the separation performance and robustness of membranes and membrane elements.
To improve the CO2 separation performance of themembranes by the continuous membrane-forming

Fig. 11 : Schematic illustration of the working principles of themolecular gate membrane.

method, membrane preparation conditions were optimized to reduce membrane thickness, and the mem-

We developed new types of dendrimer/polymer

branes were produced by the continuous mem-hybrid membranes that provide superior separation ofbrane-forming method under optimized conditions. The

CO2/H2 gas mixtures.

relationship between relative thickness and CO2 per-Based on this work, the Molecular Gate Membrane module Technology Research Association (MGMTRA; consists of Research Institute of Innovative

meance and CO2/He selectivity is shown in Fig. 13.
It was found that CO2 permeance was improved
without decreasing CO2/He selectivity.

Technology for the Earth [RITE] and a private compa-

A long-term CO2 separation test of the membraneny) is researching new membranes, membrane ele-

was conducted at 2.4 MPa to evaluate the durability ofments (Fig. 12), and membrane separation systems.

the membrane under high pressure. The result isBased on the achievements of the project by the
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Ja-

shown in Fig. 14. CO2 separation was stable for atleast 600 h.

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5. Conclusion
In December 2015, the Paris Agreement was adopted at COP 21.* To meet the conditions of the agreement, it is essential to promote innovative ways to dramatically reduce emissions on a worldwide basis. In
April 2016, Japan released the National Energy andEnvironmental Strategy for Technological Innovation
toward 2050. In addition, in September 2017, a technical roadmap for 2050 was formulated. The capture andeffective use of CO2 were identified as promising techFig. 13 : R elationship between relative thickness and CO 2
permeance and CO2/He selectivity.
Operating conditions: Temperature: 85°C, feed gas composition:
CO2/He = 40%/60%, feed gas pressure: 2.4 MPa, relative humidity
in feed: 60% RH, permeate gas pressure: atmospheric pressure.

nologies. Innovative CO2 separation and recovery
technologies contain medium- and long-term targets
related to technological improvements that will reduce
the energy used in separation and recovery by half(<1.5 GJ/t-CO2) . In the technical roadmap, CO2 separation and recovery technologies plan to be demonstrated at the system level around 2030, and then become popular around 2050. Furthermore, at the Round
Table for Studying Energy Situations in April 2018, it isreportedly important to continue to tackle the issues forpractical application of CCS both in the industrial sector and the electric power sector.
In general, it is crucial to promote the practical application of CCS by proposing optimized separation
and recovery technologies for various CO2 emission
sources. It is also vital to establish new or improved
technologies through scale-up studies and actual gas
separation trials that closely mimic desired real-world
applications. Furthermore, it is important to promote
innovative technological development and to continually develop new energy-efficient, low-cost approaches

Fig. 14 : C
 O 2 separation performance of the membrane as afunction of time
Operating conditions: Temperature: 85°C, feed gas composition:
CO2/He = 40%/60%, feed gas pressure: 2.4 MPa, relative humidity
in feed: 60% RH, permeate gas pressure: atmospheric pressure.

to CCS.
*COP 21: 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference

The development of CO2 molecular gate membrane modules is recognized by the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF), a ministerial-levelinternational climate change initiative focused on thedevelopment of improved, cost-effective technologies
for the separation and capture of CO2 for transport andlong-term safe storage.

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CO2 Storage Research Group[Key Members]

Ziqiu XueGroup Leader,
Chief Researcher

Nakaba Matsuda, Deputy Leader, Chief
Researcher
Makoto Nomura, Chief Researcher
Nobuo Takasu, Associate Chief Researcher
Takahiro Nakajima, Associate Chief
Researcher
Takeshi Myoi, Associate Chief Researcher
Keisuke Uchimoto, Senior Researcher
Ryozo Tanaka, Senior Researcher
Saeko Mito, Senior Researcher
Yi Zhang, Senior Researcher
Tetsuma Toshioka, Senior Researcher
Makoto Nishimura, Senior Researcher
Hironobu Komaki, Senior Researcher

Yuji Watanabe, Senior Researcher
Kazutoshi Hiwaki, Senior Researcher
Tsutomu Hashimoto, Senior Researcher
Atsushi Ibusuki, Senior Researcher
Nobutoshi Shimizu, Senior Researcher
Osamu Takano, Senior Researcher
Yasuhiro Okabayashi, Senior Researcher
Hyuck Park, Researcher
Takuma Ito, Researcher
Luchen Wang, Researcher
Takayuki Miyoshi, Researcher
Yankun Sun, Researcher
Hongyu Zhai, Researcher
Masafumi Kotani, Researcher

Research and Development on Geological CO2 Storage
for Safe CCS Operation
1. Introduction

attentions domestically and internationally. With the

The GHGT-14 Conference was held in Melbourne

background, we concluded an agreement on licensing

Australia in October 2018 and had more than 800 pre-its microbubble technology with Junlun Petroleum

sentations on CCS. The event reiterated the impor-Company in November 2018. We expect microbubble

tance of CCS as a countermeasure against global

technology to have more and more opportunities to bewarming. Among global CCS news in 2018, it is note-

employed in real projects such as CO2-EOR operation

worthy the USA, where the Trump Administration had

in low-permeability oilfields in future.

decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, re-

The CO2 Storage Research Group, as a member

newed the Section 45Q in a way that incentives forof the Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage Technology

CCS is strengthen by increasing tax credits for geolog-

Research Association (GCS), works on various R&D

ical CO2 storage. In Europe, CCS-related activities areunder the NEDO-funded project titled “the Research

moving forward slowly. But the UK has taken a firmand Development of on Geological CO2 Storage Tech-step toward CCS deployment, publicizing an action

nology for Safe CCS Operation”. In the project, we putplan to enable the first CCUS facility to be operational

the focus on R&D on improvement not only in opera-by the mid-2020s. In developing countries, in particu-

tionability but also in safety. The most challenging

lar, in China, where large-scale CCS project is making

themes include how to set out appropriate criteria toprogress, efforts against climate change are anticipat-

judge whether offshore CO2 leakage occurs because it

ed to become more active.

is difficult to differentiate the phenomenon from natural

In China, CCS projects are driven mainly by CO2-

variation in water. In order to identify such optimal cri-

EOR but the nation has a lot of oilfields where it is diffi-

teria by acquiring and analyzing field data, we are cur-cult to produce additional oil by conventional CO2-EOR

rently monitoring CO2 concentration in seawater con-techniques due to low permeability. To improve the ef-

tinuously in an offshore field.

ficiency of CO2 injection, the CO2 Storage Research

The CO2 Storage Research Group also engages

Group in collaboration with Tokyo Gas has been con-in international collaboration and the survey of CCS

ducting R&D on microbubble technology, which draws

development in the globe. We hosted an international36

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CCUS roundtable in collaboration with C2ES in Wash-

the wells, and the well-log data with the narrower data

ington DC, USA, in February 2019. In addition, weintervals are smoothed in order to equalize the data

work closely with the Tomakomai CCS demonstration

frequencies and to maximize the accuracy of learning

project in pursuit of earlier CCS commercialization.

process.
In ML, learning processes proceed in a way of re-

2. Major Research Themes and Outcomes

ducing training errors, which are differences between

2.1. Development of Geological Modeling Tech-estimated properties and observed ones. Data notniques for Geological CO2 Storage

used for training can be used for validation, which has

Reducing geological uncertainties is a key factor

the potential of improving in the quality of estimation forto make large-scale CO2 geological storage technicallytargeted properties. In the ML approach for porosity

available. The effective ways to achieve this include

distribution along the wells at the Nagaoka site, we,further data acquisitions and appropriate data integra-

therefore, used 75 percent of the input data for training,tion. Drilling new wells is, however, not an option suit-and the remaining 25 percent for validation. The Fig.

able for the purpose due to financial constraints and1(b) shows the mean-absolute errors between the esti-

associated risks of CO2 leakage. Well data available tomated data and the observed ones for training (blue)

estimate the spatial distribution of reservoir parame-and validation (orange) data. The two sets of the errors

ters such as porosity and permeability is generally lim-

have a similar trend, which indicates that the devel-

ited. To estimate these geological properties, tech-oped neural-network model has an appropriate capa-niques to utilize 2D/3D seismic data have been

bility to estimate the property.

investigated in these decades. The approaches include

We applied the developed porosity distribution

attribute analysis such as the spectral decomposition.

along the wells to the estimation of the spatial distribu-

In 2018, as a technique for mapping one-dimensionaltion of porosity for the Nagaoka site. A three-dimen-

well-log data into a three-dimensional space, we ex-sional view of the reservoir and a two-dimensional sec-

amined the machine-learning (ML) approach.

tion including the observation and injection wells are

ML consists of sequential processes of (i) me-

depicted in Fig. 2. In the two-dimensional section, thechanically learning or identifying a relationship be-

porosity data acquired at the wells are superimposed

tween existing data of a targeted property and those ofon the well locations. In the estimated distribution ofa different kind of data, and (ii) estimating unknown

porosity, there is a high porosity area (red and warm

data of the targeted property, corresponding to newdata of the different kind, based on the relationshipidentified. In our study for the CO2-injection demonstration site in Nagaoka, we used its seismic data as input
data and its porosity profiles measured along wells asa target property to create seismic attribute volumes .
Once developing a machine learning-based model ofporosity along the wells, we attempted to estimate porosity distribution in an area away from the wells. The

Fig. 1 : (a) The schematic diagram of the fully-connected neuralnetwork model, (b) MAE for training and validation data.

ML model used in this feasibility study was a fully-connected neural-network model, shown in Fig. 1(a). Accuracy of the model depends on the number of deeper
hidden layers. Due to the mismatch of data intervals
between seismic data and well-log data, the seismic
data with wider data intervals are interpolated along

Fig. 2 : Estimated porosity model for CO2 reservoir layers

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between 2002 and 2010.

and also a relatively high porosity area in the shallow

Dissolved CO2 exists in natural seawater any timepart of the reservoir (the CO2 injection intervals) in theand its indicator pCO2 fluctuates in a certain range. In

northwest direction of the wells.

methods to detect CO2 leakage based on values of

The ML is composed of the relatively simple steps

pCO2, false-positives (misjudging data elevated due toand its processing time is short. The approach is,natural variability as anomalies) and false-negatives

therefore, an effective technique to develop geological(overlooking CO2 leakage) are almost inevitable. Highmodels for evaluating storage capacity and/or analyz-

threshold values make false-positives decreased but

ing CO2 injection scenarios in a site-screening/selec-

false-negatives increased, whereas low threshold val-tion period. To build more accurate geological models,ues make false-negatives decreased but false-posi-

we plan to use deep-learning techniques including atives increased. Thus, we should estimate the rates of

2D/3D convolutional neural network model, which havefalse-positives and false-negatives. In this study, thebeen remarkably advanced in recent years. The CO2

upper limit of the 95 % prediction interval of the linear

storage research group is investigating further opti-

regression of pCO2 on DO(%) is set out as the thresh-

mum processes to build more appropriate geologicalold, the false-positive rate of which is theoretically 2.5

models.

%.
CO2 leakage data are not included in the analyzed

2.2. Development of a Comprehensive System fordata as no CO2 has been stored underneath Osaka

Detection of CO2 Leakage and Environmental

Bay. Hence, we can regard the data exceeding the

Impact Assessment

threshold line as the false-positives. Fig. 3a is a scatterFor offshore CO2 geological storage in Japan, ma-plot of pCO2 vs DO(%), with the 95 % prediction inter-rine monitoring is mandatory to confirm that stored CO2

val range (the green dashed lines) based on the alldoes not leak into the sea and to detect CO2 leakage

data acquired in a period of 9 years. There are 15 data

as soon as possible should it occur. Besides, the fact

plotted over the upper limit of the prediction intervalthat monitoring is been carried out is important from(the threshold line). As the total number of the data is

the point of view of public acceptance.

465, the rate of false-positive is 3.2 %, which is close to

When CO2 goes out from the seabed, it is presum-

but higher than the theoretical rate of 2.5 %. Threshold

ably in the form of bubbles, but CO2 bubbles dissolve inlines made with less data can, however, result in ex-

seawater quickly after the release. The CO2 Storage

tremely high occurrence of false-positive. We madeResearch Group has been studying and developing

threshold lines based on data in a certain period of 1

methods to find CO2 bubbles in the water column andyear out of the 9-year data acquisition period, andto detect anomalous values of partial pressure of CO2

compared all the 9-year-period data with each of the(pCO2) in seawater, which is an index of the concentra-

threshold lines. The highest false-positive rate, whichtion of CO2 dissolved in seawater. The section here in-is 49.2 %, appears in a case shown in Fig. 3b. The

troduces our study of a threshold method for the judge-

black crosses in the figure, which were used to makement of anomalous pCO2 using covariance between

the threshold line (the upper black dashed line), are

pCO2 and the percentage Dissolved Oxygen saturationplotted mostly in the lower half part of the distribution(DO(%)) with the focus on baseline data required.

area of all pCO2 data for the 9 years. As a result, their

We have analyzed data observed in Osaka Bay, a

95% prediction interval is far narrower than that of thesemi-enclosed bay in Japan, where Osaka Prefecture

9-year-period data and their threshold line (the upper

has observed several variables at fixed points for overblack dashed line) is also lower than that of the 9-year

40 years on a quarterly basis (February, May, Augustdata (the upper green dashed line). These results indi-and November). Among the data, we have used datacate that the threshold line has a possibility of confus-

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ing high-value data due to natural fluctuation withfalse-positive rate (Table 1). For small numbers of N,

anomalies for every two measurements, although thefalse-positive rates have a higher potential of being

theoretical false-positive rate is only 2.5%. The lowest

much larger than theoretical 2.5 %. These results sug-

false-positive rate in this study is 1.1 % in the casegest that it is required to use data for 4-6 years or more

shown in Fig. 3c. The false-positive rate in this case is

to set out an adequate threshold line.

low, but its threshold line is relatively high, which would

We have been conducting continuous observa-

make it difficult to detect CO2 leakage. We should keeptions of pCO2 and DO in Osaka Bay since summer in

it in mind that a threshold line with a low false-positive2018. By analyzing the continuously-observed data,

rate is not always good.

together with the data seasonally acquired for 9 years,

In the same way, we made threshold lines using

we will attempt to identify adequate frequencies andN-year-period data (1≦N≦8). There are 9CN ways todurations of baseline surveys for determining a thresh-

select N years from the 9 years, for each of which we

old line to judge whether CO2 leakage occurs or not atdetermined a threshold line and then calculated its

offshore CO2 storage sites.
2.3. Development of Technique for Monitoring Formation Stability during CO2 Injection Using Optical Fiber
At the In Salah project site in Algeria, ground upliftaround the injection wells due to CO2 injection andsubsidence due to the production of natural gas wereobserved. In fluid injection operation, if formation deformation becomes significant under inappropriatepressure management, caprock seal can be breached,which affects the safety of CO2 geological storage. In
order to understand how pressure buildup in a target
formation caused by fluid injection affects the displacement of the ground surface, it is desirable to monitor
from the deep underground to the earth surface contin-

Fig. 3 : Scatter plots of pCO2 vs DO% with (a) all 9 years data (red:February, pink: May, blue: August, orange: November)and the 95 % prediction interval based on them (thegreen dashed lines), (b) data of 2005 and (c) 2010
(crosses) and the 95 % prediction interval based on them(black dashed lines).

uously in a depth direction. For the vertically-continuous monitoring of underground displacement, conventional sensors are not practical because it is required todetermine their exact installation locations and depths
in advance and because it is far from easy work to em-

Table.1 : False-positive rates

bed so many sensors in field. These challenges can besolved for the vertically-continuous data acquisition
when distributed optical fiber sensing technology is
employed . In this section, we introduce results of laboratory experiments to show the effectiveness of monitoring geological deformation with optical fiber sensing
technology.
Figure 4 shows a unique composite sandstone
sample that has a physical system of a deep underground reservoir and a seal layer. In the laboratory ex-

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periments with the sample, the behavior of CO2 undertion pressure was elevated, CO2 broke into the caprock

reservoir pressure and temperature conditions was vi-

seal. The strains in the seal part increased abruptly af-

sualized with a medical X-ray CT apparatus. CO2 was

ter the CO2 percolation (see Fig. 6). The results indi-

injected to the coarse-grain part (a reservoir) at the leftcate that it is possible to monitor the mechanical stabil-end of a sandstone sample. The fine-grain part at the

ity of the caprock and the leakage of CO2 from theright of the sample had a lower permeability and playedreservoir with an optical fiber installed in a monitoringa role of a caprock seal that had a function of keeping

well.

the injected CO2 in the coarse-grain part. When injection pressure exceeded a shielding threshold of thefine-grain part, CO2 entered the fine-grain part. The
sandstone sample had a helically-twined optical fiber
on its surface for monitoring rock deformation in thecoarse-grain part during CO2 accumulation and its mechanical influence on the fine-grain part.

Fig.5 : D
 istribution of CO2 saturation and expansive strain along
the axis direction of the sandstone sample

Fig. 4 : A sandstone sample with a helically-twined optical fiberand its X-ray CT image

Fig. 6 : A sharp increase in strain accompanying the entry of CO2
into the caprock seal

Figure 5 shows the distribution of CO2 saturation

2.4. International Collaboration and Survey of CCS

and the strain along the longitudinal direction of theDevelopment in the world

sandstone sample as CO2 gradually accumulated in

RITE contributes to CCS deployment through col-the coarse-grain part since the injection commenced.

laboration with international organizations and frame-

CO2 saturations were calculated based on the X-ray

works for CCS and also conducts a survey of CCS

CT images and the strains of the rock were measured

development in the world. Here are highlights in global

by the optical fiber. CO2 was initially injected from the

CCS development and international frameworks inleft end of the sample under a driving pressure that2018:

was less than the sealing threshold. The CO2 plume(1) Highlights in Global CCS Development

was confined within the approximately-45 mm-long left

In the UK, an expert task force formed by the gov-

part by the boundary between the coarse- and fine-ernment publicized a strategy proposed for CCS de-grain parts However, slight expansion was observed inployment in July 2018. Its major message is that thethe section between 50 and 60 mm. This means thatmost effective way of CCS deployment is to promotealthough the caprock seal was slightly deformed, the

CCS in the form of clusters, core of which are expend-

CO2 in the reservoir was tightly trapped. After the injec-

able shared infrastructures for CO2 transport and stor-40

R&D Activities⃝CO Storage Research Group

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2

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age. The strategy presents 16 recommendations with

cal group and Japan was elected together with Austra-

an assumption of commissioning at least two CCS

lia and Canada. We are expected more to contribute toclusters in the mid-2020s with the aim of full CCS de-the international CCS community from the perspec-

ployment in the 2030s. It is noteworthy that it states

tives of Japan and also Asia.

private-sector-driven CCS deployment is achievable if

In a ministerial meeting held in June 2018 under

the deployment is put forward as clusters and if ade-the framework of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM),

quate business models and risk allocations are identi-

it was formally agreed to launch a CCUS initiative that

fied. Following the publication, the government an-

has been proposed by the USA in 2017. The initiative

nounced an action plan regarding CCS in November

plans to work on improving the awareness of CCS in

2018. The action plans is based on the task forceʼs

the community of clean energy and activating commu-

recommendations, but the number of cluster to be

nications between the CCS community and the finan-

commissioned in the mid-2020s is only one. This lists

cial community.

19 actions, which can be categorized broadly into

The mission innovation, which is an international

those for commissioning the first project and those forframework with the aim of doubling public investment

deploying CCS at scale in the 2030s.

in clean energy R&D over five years, publicized a re-

In Norway, the Industrial CCS project has been

port on CCS in May 2018. The report presents priori-

considered and the number of its CO2 sources was re-tized areas of innovative R&D in the four areas: CO2

duced from three to two. Its front-end engineering de-capture, storage, use and cross-cutting. The CCS

sign (FEED), however, got a green light officially in thecommunity is now required to make great efforts to de-parliament in May 2018. The project adopts a sharedploy CCS with existing technologies and also to under-

infrastructure for CO2 ship transport and offshore stor-

take R&D for step-change reduction in CCS costs inage. Its final invest decision is due in the fiscal 2020.

order to further accelerate CCS deployment.

What are often referred to as a pioneer of suchshared infrastructures are CO2 pipeline networks forenhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the USA. In the country in February 2018, a scheme of tax credits which is
given in proportion to volume of CO2 geologicallystored was updated to raise the values of credits to begiven. Prompting multiple new CO2 capture projects tobe explored, the amendment is expected to accelerate
CCS deployment.
(2) Highlights in CCS International Frameworks
CCS shared infrastructures draw attentions globally and a task force on infrastructures was formed in
an international framework, the technical group of the
Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) in a
meeting held in October 2018. What was agreed thereis that the task force will review the current status ofshared infrastructures and that the technical group will
discuss, based on outcomes, whether to continue thetask force. If its continuation is agreed, the task force
will develop a plan of its activities. In the October meeting, there was an election of vice chairs for the techni-41

R&D Activities⃝Inorganic Membranes Research Center

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Inorganic Membranes Research Center[Key Members]

Shin-ichi Nakao
Director,
Chief Researcher

Yuichiro Yamaguchi, Deputy Director,
Chief Researcher
Hidetoshi Kita, Chief Researcher
Hitoshi Nishino, Chief Researcher
Katsunori Yogo, Associate Chief Researcher
Makoto Ryoji, Senior Researcher
Hye Ryeon Lee, Researcher
Masahiro Seshimo, Researcher
Hajime Nakano, Researcher
Bo Liu, Researcher

Research and Development of Innovative Environmental and Energy
Technologies that Use Inorganic Membranes and Efforts toward
Practical Use and Industrialization
1. Introduction

Division and the Industrial Collaboration Division. In

Inorganic membranes, such as silica membranes

the Research Division, silica membranes, zeolite mem-and zeolite membranes, have the features of heat re-branes, palladium membranes, which have superiorsistance and environmental resistance, in addition tofeatures in each, are used as the core technology for

their high separation performance, and are expected tohydrogen separation, purification, and recovery. We

be applicable to a variety of applications. Moreover, it

are working in the research fields of the effective use ofis possible to achieve significant energy savings, andCO2. In the Industrial Collaboration Division, in order todevelopment is also being promoted for hydrogen sep-share the vision of manufacturers and user companies

aration and purification applications essential for CO2

and to plan and draft collaborative research at the In-

separation and recovery applications for hydrogen so-

dustrialization Strategy Council, which consists of theciety construction compared to conventional separa-

inorganic separation membrane and support manufac-

tion and purification methods, such as the distillation

turer and 18 user companies, member companies

and adsorption methods. And, it attracts a great deal ofmeet regularly to actively promote the work of the re-attention as an environment and energy technology

search groups.

that contributes to conservation of the global environ-In 2018, in the development of membrane reactor

ment. However, practical application has been limited

for methylcyclohexane (MCH) dehydrogenation as an

to such uses as dehydration of alcohol; from now on,

efficient transportation and storage technology of hy-

efforts to promptly commercialize and industrialize in-drogen, we developed the silica film with the worldʼsnovative environmental and energy technologies using

highest hydrogen separation performance, and theinorganic membranes are required.

seal structure between metal and ceramics. In addi-

The Inorganic Membranes Research Center

tion, progress was also made in efforts related to car-

(IMeRC) was established in April 2016 to promote thebon capture and utilization (CCU), which was newly

activities of research and development and industrial

adopted as the New Energy and Industrial Technology

collaboration as the bilateral aim for the early commer-

Development Organization (NEDO) project. In addi-

cialization and industrialization of innovative environ-tion, at the industrial strategy council, activities such as

mental and energy technologies using inorganic mem-a research group for the start-up of government ex-branes. The organization comprises the Researchpenses business etc. are full-scale. In this paper, we

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Fig. 1 : Energy Carrier

will introduce main results of the research department

chemical vapor deposition (CVD), for the purpose ofsuch as development of MCH dehydrogenation mem-the development and commercialization of the efficientbrane reactor and development of CCU technology,

and stable production of highly pure hydrogen fromfuture prospects, and activities of the industrialization

methylcyclohexane for small- to medium-sized cus-strategy council.

tomers, such as commercial establishments and officebuildings.

2. Development of Silica Membrane Reactors for a
Hydrogen-Based Society

The membrane reactor uses the principle thatequilibrium is shifted to the product side, and conver-

The development of efficient hydrogen transporta-sion is improved when a separation membrane is in-tion and storage methods is essential for building a hy-

serted into the reaction field. Since the reaction takes

drogen-based society. As a promising method, the con-place under high temperature and high pressure, thecept of an energy carrier has been proposed where

membrane must be durable under these conditions.

hydrogen is converted into chemical hydrides that canThis work is funded by NEDO as part of the Ad-be efficiently transported and stored, such as methyl-vancement of Hydrogen Technologies and Utilization

cyclohexane and ammonia. Then, the chemical hy-

Project for the analysis and development of hydrogen

dride is transported and stored to take out the hydro-

as an energy carrier and the development of a dehy-

gen at the place and time where it is required. (Fig. 1)

drogenation system using inorganic hydrogen separation membranes for organic chemical hydrides in col-The technology for the conversion of hydrogen tolaboration with Chiyoda Corporation.

methylcyclohexane or ammonia has already been es-

In order to improve the performance of the silica

tablished as a mass production technology, but an ex-

membrane, it is necessary to have high hydrogen per-traction technology for hydrogen has not yet been de-meability (H2 permeance) and not pass molecules oth-veloped as a definitive method. An excellent catalyst

er than hydrogen (separation coefficient α = H2 per-for dehydrogenation has recently been developed, butmeance / SF6 permeance is large), but in general,a technology for highly pure hydrogen to be supplied topermeance and the separation factor α are in a trade-a fuel cell has not yet been established.

off relationship. The IMeRC developed silica mem-

IMeRC develops membrane reactors using a sili-branes providing the worldʼs top-level performanceca membrane, which is prepared by counter-diffusion(permeance > 3.5 x 10-6 (mol / m2 sec Pa), separation

43

R&D Activities⃝Inorganic Membranes Research Center

factor of α 63,000) with good reproducibility by breaking down the phenomena of this tradeoff into individual
factors (Fig. 2).

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proceed in a compact reactor.
In order to verify this phenomenon on an actual
scale, we designed and fabricated a test apparatus
composed of 3 x 500 mmL silica membranes (Fig. 4)
and collected a variety of engineering data. As a result,it was verified that a remarkable equilibrium shift was
confirmed using 500 mmL silica membranes, and aconversion rate of 95% or more, which was significantly higher than the equilibrium conversion rate of 42.1%,
was obtained (Fig. 5).

Fig. 2 : Performance of silica membranes

In the membrane reactor study, the improvementin the reaction efficiency of the dehydrogenation reaction from the MCH using several silica membranes of200-500 mm was confirmed. The mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 3. When MCH is fed into a reaction wherea hydrogen separation membrane and a catalyst areset, MCH is dehydrated into toluene and hydrogen byan equilibrium reaction, but only the generated hydrogen passes through the hydrogen separation mem-

Fig. 4 : Membrane Reactor for Silica Modules

brane and is separated from the reaction field. Because the product is removed from the reaction field,
the reaction shifts to the product side, and the conversion of hydrogen production is improved. At the sametime, the hydrogen passing through the separation
membrane becomes high purity hydrogen that does
not contain toluene, so that hydrogen purification andimprovement in the reaction efficiency simultaneously
Fig. 5 : Operation result of the bench-scale membrane reactor

However, this study of the membrane reactor revealed the problem of sealing at the same time. In amembrane reactor, it is necessary to have airtight seals
for the ceramic membranes with a metallic reactor, butsince the expansion coefficient differs between metal
and ceramics, rubber seals, such as O rings, havebeen adopted, so that the ceramics do not break. HowFig. 3 : Diagram of a tubular single membrane reactor

ever, since the reaction field is exposed to organic solvents of MCH and toluene at high temperature and44

R&D Activities⃝Inorganic Membranes Research Center

high pressure, a durability problem was found with therubber seals.

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Thermal power generation using coal, which is anatural resource offering excellent supply stability and

The sealing structures were investigated, and theeconomic efficiency, is positioned as an important pow-

module structure was developed, which provides dura-

er source that will contribute 26% of the domestic elec-

bility for pressure, temperature, and solvent, even attricity supply by fiscal year 2030 in terms of the long-

300℃, and was easy to attach to and detach from theterm energy supply and demand forecast. However,reactor. The developed prototype module with thecoal-fired power plants emit comparatively large vol-structure is shown in Fig. 6.

umes of CO2, and CO2 utilization (CCU: carbon capture
and utilization) is being studied after separation andrecovery. Although large-scale processing of CO2 is difficult at the present time, it is also possible to generate
profits and create value by manufacturing valuable resources using renewable energy. In the future, it is necessary to use the advantages of coal-fired power generation mutually by employing renewable energy in an
attempt to ensure a stable supply of electricity and areduction in CO2 emissions in our country.
Therefore, in this project, we aim to establish
promising future CCU technologies in anticipation ofFig. 6 : Silica membrane module using glass binder and reactor

fiscal year 2030 and beyond and can further grant industrial competitiveness to Japanʼs excellent clean

The prototype silica module was made to bundle

coal technology (CCT). We plan to establish a compre-

500 mm L × 3 silica membrane tubes using a glass

hensive evaluation of CCU technologies for the effec-

binder to bond the ceramics to metal with different ex-

tive use of CO2 in the product manufacturing process

pansion coefficients, and airtightness was confirmed atand system with the aim of establishing CCU technolo-

300℃ and 500 kPa-G.

gy. We plan to develop highly stable zeolite mem-Through these studies, RITE has demonstrated

branes, and investigate a membrane reactor for meth-that hydrogen generation from MCH can be designed

anol synthesis. In addition, Prof. Kita (Yamaguchi

compactly in a membrane reactor using a high perfor-

University) works for the development of inorganicmance silica membrane on the bench scale.

membranes, such as carbon membranes, and Prof.

We continue to study and demonstrate the durability of a silica membrane and silica module to further

Hasebe (Kyoto University) works for process development work toward the same end.

accelerate the practical application.
4. Development of pure silica CHA type zeolite
3. Development of CCU Technology

membraneTo the end of fiscal year 2019, RITE, JFE Steel

Thirty or more types of aluminosilicate zeolite

Corporation, the Institute of Applied Energy (IAE), IN-

membranes have been reported so far; however, pure

PEX Corporation, and Hitachi Zosen Corporation col-silica zeolite membranes have only been synthesizedlaborate in the technological development of next gen-into LTA membranes in addition to MFI and DDR as

eration thermal power generation, next generation

reported. We succeeded in synthesizing two types ofthermal power development of power generation infra-

pure silica zeolite membranes, which were not report-

structure technology, and the development of technol-

ed in the past (Si-CHA membrane (RITE-1), and Si-

ogy for effective utilization of CO2 as a project of NEDO.

STT membranes (RITE-2), patent pending). As a result

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R&D Activities⃝Inorganic Membranes Research Center

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of the investigations, we found that Si-CHA zeolite

support manufacturers, and user companies on April

membranes having a a) three-dimensional structure,

15, 2016.

b) high pore volume, and c) eight-membered oxygen

As of January 2019, eighteen selective membranering pores could attain both water vapor resistance andand support manufacturers and user companies partic-

high CO2 permeance.

ipate in this Council. Our goal is to establish an inor-

As shown in Fig. 7, the CO2/CH4 separation perfor-

ganic membrane industry that contributes to innovative

mance of the Si-CHA membrane shows a CO2 perme-

environmental and energy technologies by promoting

ation rate of 4.0 × 10 mol/m sPa or more and a CO2/

a common vision for manufacturers and user compa-

CH4 permeation rate ratio of 100 or more. It shows bet-

nies, as well as a joint research plan involving nationalter separation than the previously reported zeolite

projects and other initiatives.

-62

membranes. In addition, even when exposed to water
vapor, there was no change in permeation perfor-

To realize this goal, we are promoting various activities, which include the following:mance, and since it had water vapor resistance, it isa) Conducting needs and seeds matching meet-

considered a membrane structure more suitable forings toward the practical use of innovative envi-

practical use. To further increase the separation perfor-

ronmental and energy technologies that use

mance of Si-CHA membranes, it will be necessary to

inorganic membranes, and the establishment

optimize the module structure and the method of intro-

and operation of a research group in which aducing the supply gas into the module.

future roadmap will be preparedThis newly developed Si-CHA membrane has highpotential and the capability for various separation ap-b) Planning joint implementation projects fundedby the government and NEDO

plications besides CO2 separation applications. Wec) Acceptance of researchers from council mem-

have confirmed the usefulness as a hydrogen separa-bers into the Research Section of the IMeRC

tion membrane to date. Currently, we are studying longand Implementation of training workshops

modularization aiming at commercialization and thed) Offering technical guidance from the IMeRC ad-

separation process using these membranes.

visory board and Research Sectione) Hosting exclusive technology seminars forcouncil membersf) Offering exclusive supply services (needs andseeds technology information) to council members
As for the Research Group activities, we havebeen conducting various activities of the following
three Research Groups set up in November 2016,a) CO2 Separation Research Groupb) Hydrogen Production Research Groupc) Common Base (Reliability Evaluation Method)

Fig. 7 : CO2/CH4 separation performance of Si-CHA membrane

Research GroupIn fiscal 2018, we conducted deep surveys and5. Activities and efforts toward commercializationand industrialization

studies through activities by both the Research Groupand its subsidiary research workshop (each Research

The Industry Collaboration Section of the IMeRC

Group had four to five meetings, respectively, up to theestablished the Industrialization Strategy Council to-end of 2018), and they are preparing for projects with

gether with manufacturers of separation membranes,

the goal of practical application funded by the govern-46

R&D Activities⃝Inorganic Membranes Research Center

ment.

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Hydrogen production and common base re-researchers from two companies took part in the work-

search groups are jointly aiming for projects funded byshop. They were able to examine the most advanced

the government to start in FY 2019 by providing re-

CVD Si membrane experiment methods and gain valu-

quests for information (RFI) to NEDO.

able experience. (Fig. 9)

In addition, technology seminars for council members are held three times annually in which the latest
R&D trends, needs, and seeds are introduced in a totalof 10 lectures by IMeRC advisory board members,
member companies, and the IMeRC with active discussions among participants. The participants arepleased to take part in the seminars, not only because
they can acquire knowledge of inorganic membranes,
which is useful in promoting the practical use and industrialization of the membranes, but also because
they have the opportunity to interact with other frontline
researchers from member companies and organizations.

Fig. 9. : Exclusive training workshop for young researchers at IMeRC

We also conduct patent and literature surveys related to the seminar lectures and periodically provide

As an overseas investigation activity, we conduct-

council members with needs and seeds technology in-

ed a study tour of Nanjing University of China and theformation and special comments from the IMeRC in

university related industrial area in May and four of thethe abstract.

three council member companies participated. (Fig. 8)

In addition, we support the various activities of

At Nanjing Tech University, we were able to deepen

council members in promoting the practical use andtechnical exchanges with lecturers as the Japan andindustrialization of inorganic membranes by providing

China symposium of inorganic membranes. In the uni-a summary of remarkable lectures with RITE com-versity related industrial area, we were very impressed

ments on the 15th International Conference on Inor-by Chinaʼs strong enthusiasm for industrialization ofganic Membranes (ICIM 2018), which is one of the

inorganic membranes.

most popular international conferences related to inorganic membranes.
6. In conclusion
Three years have passed since the IMeRC wasestablished, and in 2018, the organization steadily
achieved results in research and development that involved hydrogen production, transportation and stor-

Fig. 8 : Overseas investigation activity (Nanjing Tech University)age, and the effective use of CO2. Activities towardcommercialization and industrialization of research

In December 2018, a two-day training workshop

and development results are also full-fledged, and it

was held at RITE. Lectures included an outline ofcan be said that the foundation as a center is solidify-

RITE, membrane separation technologies, and hydro-

ing. We would like to continue working diligently to be-

gen separation CVD Si membrane; in addition, experi-come a core organization leading the development andmental membrane formation methods and guidance onpractical application of inorganic membranes in theperformance and evaluation methods for preparedworld in the future.

membranes were provided in the workshop. Two young47

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Research & Coordination Group

Research & Coordination Group

Environmental Education with
CCUS Video Game

Symposium in Kansai on Global Warming
Mitigation Technology for Future Society

RITE has been conducting environmental education for younger generation, who is responsible for the
future, through organizing workshops and engaging inschool curriculum such as accepting visits from neighboring schools and offering guest seminars etc, where
we provide lectures with science experiments andgames. In 2018 summer, we organized a lecture combining with a video game so that children could learn
about CCUS (Carbon dioxide Capture, Utilization andStorage) technology with fun.
This video game, produced by the Global Industrial and Social Progress Research Institute [GISPRI] (incollaboration with Daiko Advertising Inc.) to be exhibited at the Japan Pavilion under the theme of “Future
Energy” at the International Expo 2017 held in Astana,
the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan, introduces
CCUS through animation and game. GISPRI offered
us to use the game during the summer, and we utilized
it in the workshops for elementary school children andas a part of the programs for the junior high / highschool students who visited RITE during this period.
About 140 students in total experienced the game.
The aim of the game is to collect red balls resembling CO2 by touching the screen and compete in ranking according to the number of CO2 collected in a team.
The children tried playing the game again and again togather as many CO2 balls as possible and got excitedwhen they marked a higher ranking. We gained manyfavorable comments about the game from the participants, such as “it was great to learn with fun throughthe game,” or “I enjoyed the game, which helped meunderstand the technology called CCUS.”As CCUS is generally unfamiliar to young people,
it is important to first let them know the name and therough idea of the technology. Therefore the video
game, which includes the animated explanation of
CCUS, must have been a great help for the participants to grasp the image of CCUS.

RITE annually hosts Innovative Environmental
Technology Symposium in Tokyo to present our latest
research progress and achievements, and this year
another symposium was held in Kansai first time innine years for more participation from the region.
At the symposium, Prof. Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Osaka University, gave a special lecture on the appearance of low-carbon urban society in the future focusing
on the perspective of the energy consumption in residential and commercial sectors where drastic energy
saving measures are to be taken for mitigating global
warming, and then we reported the latest achievements and future plans of our R&D activities regarding
global warming mitigation technologies. Many peopleanswered the event as useful according to the feedback collected from the audience, which shows thatthe symposium in Kansai was a good opportunity tointroduce our research activities to the people in theregion.
Date: 26 September 2018
Venue: Osaka Science & Technology Center (OSTEC)
Organized by RITE
Supported by Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade andIndustry (METI-KANSAI); Kansai Economic Federation (KANKEIREN); The New Industry Research Organization (NIRO); the Chemical Society of Japan(CSJ); The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan(SCEJ); Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry (JSBBA); Japan Society ofEnergy and Resources (JSER); the Japan Instituteof Energy (JIE)
Number of participants 156
Program・Special lecture: Future outlook of low-carbon urban
societyProf. Yoshiyuki Shimoda,
Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University
・Strategy to respond climate risks and role of countermeasure technologies based on the Paris Agreement
Keigo Akimoto, Group Leader,
Systems Analysis Group・Development of biorefinery production technology
toward realization of carbon cycle society
Masayuki Inui, Group Leader,
Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group・Development of highly efficient CO2 separation andcapture technologies in RITE
Katsunori Yogo, Associate Chief Researcher,
Chemical Research Group・Current status and challenges for deployment of
CO2 geological storage technologies
Ziqiu Xue, Group Leader,
CO2 Storage Research Group・Activities of Inorganic Membranes Research Centerto contribute to low-carbon society
Yuichiro Yamaguchi, Deputy-Director,
Inorganic Membranes Research Center48

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Research & Coordination Group

Systems Analysis Group

GHGT-14 Participation Report

FY2017 ALPS International Symposium
Toward long term, deep emissions reductions

The 14th International Conference on Greenhouse
Gas Control Technologies (GHGT-14) was held in Melbourne, Australia on October 21st - 25th 2018. The conference series are held every two years as the principal
international conference on greenhouse gas mitigation
technologies especially focusing on CCS.
More than a thousand delegates from around theworld had active discussions on 12 themes in 71 technical sessions. Among them, 27 sessions were aboutstorage (including other storage options) and 20 wereabout capture, which accounted for 70 percent of all.
The researchers from RITE delivered 8 oral presentations and 9 poster presentations in either storage or
capture sessions. Also Dr. Xue, Group Leader of CO2
Storage Research Group, acted as a chairperson for
the “Tracking the Plume in the Reservoir” storage session.
As the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of
1.5℃ had been published on October 8th just before
the GHGT-14, how to deal with the issue especially regarding CCS was one of the topics of attention. Ms.
Thelma Krug, Vice Chair of IPCC, explained in her keynote speech in the Opening Plenary that CCS would
be required along with high efficiency, electrification,use of hydrogen and biomass and that CO2 zero emission would be impossible without CCS in cement manufacturing etc. although it does not necessarily meanthat the 1.5℃ target cannot be achieved without CCS.
In the closing session “The CCS Narrative”, there werediscussions on the importance to communicate the significance of CCS to external communities.
The 5-day conference concluded with the announcement that the next GHGT-15 would be held in
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 2020.

The Paris Agreement entered into force in November 2016, establishing a new international frameworkin which almost all nations should make efforts to reduce GHG emissions beyond 2020 through submitting
their own reduction target. As to long term efforts, eachnation is requested to submit its low emissions development plan to UN by 2020, and correspondingly discussions are becoming active to explore long term (beyond 2050) response strategies/measures to climatechange. Under recognition of various risks of climatechange, ALPS International Symposium was held todisseminate the research achievements of the project.
Lectures were presented by eminent specialists fromthe various viewpoints such as the necessity of net
zero CO2 emission for a long term, the gap between
the future goal and the current situation, the importance of risk management and the necessity of technological innovation.
Date 9 February 2018
Venue Toranomon Hills Forum (Tokyo)
Organization RITE
Co-organization METI
Number of participants 310
Program・Toward long term, deep emission reductions -Needs
of developing sectoral ZE technologiesYoichi Kaya, President, RITE
・“Carbon Law” for deep emissions reductions andsustainable development
Nebojsa Nakicenovic, Deputy Director General/
Deputy CEO, IIASA・Some thoughts on global climate risks and the Paris goals
Seita Emori, Chief,
Climate Risk Assessment Research Section, NIES
・The state of the global energy transition: lessons
from the IEAʼs World Energy Outlook
Laura Cozzi, Head of Division,
Energy Demand Outlook, IEA
・Misusing the Future
Roger Pielke Jr., Professor, University of Colorado
・Net-Zero Emissions: the most actionable climate target
Oliver Geden, Head of EU/Europe Division, SWP
・Techno-economic analysis of the decarbonisation of power mix in Europe - and particularly in France - by 2050
Pascal Da Costa, Professor,
Ecole CentraleSupelec - University Paris Saclay
・Climate change response strategy toward long-term
zero CO2 emissions
Keigo Akimoto, Group Leader,
Systems Analysis Group, RITE

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Systems Analysis Group

Systems Analysis GroupInternational Workshop on Lowdemand Scenarios

COP24 Side Event
Mitigation Policy Choices andLevels of Effort

Although the Paris Agreement requires massive
CO2 emissions reduction, achieving 2℃ or 1.5℃ targets is extremely challenging. Actually model analyses
estimate MAC in 2100 at around 1000$/tCO2, with considerable reliance on BECCS. Given that, it is extremely important to consider potentials of transition to a society with lower energy demand without impairing
utility.
In September, RITE and IIASA jointly held an international workshop to discuss opportunities and

The RITE side events at COP24 in Poland were
held both in Japan Pavilion and UNFCCC side event,to address scientific estimates of impacts of Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDCs) on economy and international competitiveness.
After an introduction by Dr. Kopp of RFF, Dr.
Akimoto presented RITEʼs analyses of comparison ofemissions reduction in NDCs, arguing that marginal
abatement costs (MAC) are considerably different

challenges for realizing a society with lower energy de-among nations and globally total cost is much higher

mand.

than ideally optimum cost due to social and political

Participants from broader research fields world-

constraints. He also presented the importance of NDCs

wide pointed out opportunities for lowering energy de-coordination through review processes because large

mand by car-sharing or ridesharing which are expect-differences among MACs may cause carbon leakage.

ed to be induced by further development of IT and its
expansion, as well as for reducing GHG emissions
throughout the entire course from supply to consumption of food. Discussion indicated considerable potentials for transition to lower energy services and accompanying emissions decrease, thus need for researches
focusing on technologies and actions in the demandside.
Summary of the workshop was uploaded at a Japanese official website for the Talanoa Dialogue “Talanoa Japan”, introducing RITEʼs research effort to

Speakers including Mr. Sieminski (KAPSARC), Dr.
Flannery (RFF), Mr. Tezuka (KEIDANREN), Ms. Takeuchi (IEEI), and Prof. Arima (the University of Tokyo)
pointed out the poor reality of high carbon pricing, importance of emissions reduction from product usage in
Global Value Chain, cultivation of conditions for businesses to invest, and importance of various technology
development or innovation.
Date 11 December 2018
Venue COP24 Japan Pavilion
Organization RITE
Co-organization RFF

achieve the long-term goal of the Paris Agreement.
Date September 25 to 27, 2018
Venue Todaiji Culture Center (Nara)
Number of Participants 21

Date 13 December 2018
Venue COP24 UNFCCC side event
Organization RITE, RFF

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Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group

BioJapan 2018
The World Business Forum “BioJapan 2018” was held at PACIFICO Yokohama on October 10-12, 2018, and it
was jointly conducted with Regenerative Medicine JAPAN 2018 for the third consecutive year. The number of visitors
was 15,133 in 2016, 15,711 in 2017, and 16,309 in 2018, the latter of which was the largest ever number of attendees. RITE had a joint booth at the exhibition in collaboration with Green Chemicals Co., Ltd.# (GCC).
#Green Phenol Development Co., Ltd. (GPD) changed its trade name to Green Chemicals Co., Ltd. on April 1,
2018.
1. In the booth, we introduced our key technologies, as

100% green jet fuelwell as our current projects funded by METI and

6) Industrialization of RITE Bioprocess

NEDO. We also explained the activities of Green7) Green Chemicals Co., Ltd. (GCC)

Earth Institute Co., Ltd. (GEI), giving examples of8) New trends for biotechnological production of

the commercial uses of the RITE Bioprocess, andgreen-aromatic compounds

technologies to produce green-aromatic compounds, together with our introduction to GCC. We

2. We also had exhibits that included various samples

displayed the following posters in the exhibitionand pictures, such as several types of non-foodbooth.

biomass; amino acids, such as L-alanine and1) RITE Bioprocess, a key technology for biorefin-

L-valine that are commercial products made by

ery from non-food biomass

GEI using the RITE Bioprocess; GEIʼs ethanol for2) “Smart Cell” project

cosmetics; and green phenolic moldings from

3) R&D of biohydrogen production

GCC.

4) R&D of bio-butanol production

We would like to extend our appreciation to those5) R&D for a novel bioprocess for production of

who attended this event and visited our booth.

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Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group

Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group

Participation in Cross-ministerial Strategic
Innovation Promotion Program (SIP)

Collaboration with the JAL
biojet fuel flight project

SIP is a national project for science, technology,

Aviation is responsible for 2% of worldwide anthro-and innovation, spearheaded by the Council for Sci-

pogenic CO2 emissions. Since it is difficult to replaceence, Technology and Innovation as it exercises its pri-

jet fuel with electricity, biojet fuel made from non-foodmary function to accomplish its role in leading science,

biomass as a raw material is expected to contribute totechnology, and innovation beyond the framework ofsolving the global warming problem without causing

government ministries and traditional disciplines.

food shortages. Given these circumstances, RITE be-

In this project, we will develop informatics-based

gan technical cooperation with the Japan Airlines Co.,

technology to accelerate the development of innova-

Ltd. (JAL) project “Letʼs fly with 100,000 used clothes!”

tive biomaterials and highly functional polymers. Tradi-in October 2018.

tionally, desirable “polymer properties” were obtainedThis project aims to produce biojet fuel from usedby trial and error, but the “biopolymer materials infor-

clothes collected from across the country by JAL andmatics” (BPMI) approach that will be developed in thisJEPLAN, INC. Ltd. In 2020, JAL aims to launch a char-project enables the presentation of biomonomers andter flight using this biojet fuel. The Green Earth Institutedesign of new, artificial metabolic pathway by reverse

Co., Ltd., which was established in 2011 for industrial-

engineering from desired polymer properties. Further-ization of RITE Bioprocess, is participating in this proj-

more, through the creation and evaluation of key

ect and is responsible for the production of isobutanol

high-activity enzymes and the development of bio-from cotton fibers in used clothes, and for producing

monomer-producing strains, we aim to realize efficientbiojet fuel conforming to international standard ASTM

bioproduction with a shorter development time of about

D7566 Annex 5.

a quarter of the time taken using conventional methods.

Corynebacterium glutamicum R, which was developed by RITE, is a key component in the production of
isobutanol. It is possible to use the RITE Bioprocess®
to efficiently produce isobutanol from sugars after thesaccharification of used cotton fibers, which is an innovative bioprocess invented by RITE.

Development of informatics-based technology to accelerate
development of innovative biomaterials / highly functional
polymers by SIP

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Chemical Research Group

Chemical Research GroupWin the 7th Award of Japan Societyof Energy and Resources

8th Symposium for Innovative CO2
Membrane Separation Technology

Dr. Katsunori Yogo and Dr. Hidetaka Yamada won

The Molecular Gate Membrane module Technolo-

the seventh Award of the Japan Society of Energy andgy Research Association (MGMTRA) is conducting a

Resources with their collaborators from Kawasaki

project entrusted by NEDO to develop a low-cost inno-

Heavy Industries, Ltd., (KHI) for the study on the ener-

vative CO2 separation membrane for high-pressured

gy-saving CO2 capture system. This award is given togas from IGCC. In this symposium, lectures were given

researchers who have made remarkable achievementson the recent results of CO2 separation membranein the development, analysis, and investigation of tech-technologies by MGMTRA along with an overview of

nologies and systems that contribute to the progress of

the CO2 separation technologies overseas. A total of

the academic fields of energy, resources, and the envi-

179 people attended, including government, university,ronment.

and company officials.

For conventional CO2 capture technologies using

Date: Friday, January 18, 2019

aqueous amine solvents, CO2-loaded solvents are

Place: Ito hall, The University of Tokyo

heated above 100℃ for regeneration. Thus, the pro-

Program:cess operation requires a lot of energy. The solid sor-

< Plenary lecture >bent method developed by the winners realizes signifi-

・”On the goal of global warming mitigation” Prof. Yoi-

cant energy savings by using amine-modified porous

chi Kaya PhD, President of RITE

materials with low specific heat when compared to the< Invited lecture >conventional solvent method. Furthermore, a novel

・”New Amine-Based Membranes for Post- andamine invented by RITE makes it possible to use waste

Pre-Combustion CO2 Capture “ Prof. W.S. Winston

heat of ca. 60℃ because of its high ability even at low

Ho, The Ohio State University

temperature.

・”CO2 capture with membranes : lessons learned

Currently, RITEʼs solid sorbent is applied to KHIʼs

from field trials in the USA “ Dr. Tim Merkel, Mem-moving-bed system. So far, a capture amount exceed-brane Technology and Research, Inc. Vice President

ing 5 t per day has been achieved by using 60℃ steamof Technology

and KHIʼs bench-scale plant equipped with the coal・”On the progress of field testing of Osaki CoolGen

combustion furnace. By steadily demonstrating the en-oxygen-blown IGCC with CO2 capture” Mr. Kenjiergy-saving CO2 capture system using low-tempera-

Aiso, President of Osaki CoolGen Corporationture waste heat that we developed, it is expected that

< Lecture >the CCS cost will be greatly reduced, leading to early・”On R&D of next-generation membrane modules by

CCS deployment.

MGMTRA” Prof. Shin-ichi Nakao PhD, Senior Managing Director of MGMTRA
・“Latest trend in CO2 separation technologies overseas” Dr. Teruhiko Kai, MGMTRA

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CO2 Storage Research Group

CO2 Storage Research Group

License Agreement with Junlun Petroleum Company on
a Patent Technology for Microbubble CO2 Injection

CCS Technical Workshop 2019

At the 12th Japan-China Energy Conservation

In the CCS Technical Workshop 2019, our invitedand Environment Forum held in Beijing in November

international experts shared their expertise on the cur-2018, RITE and Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd concluded a li-

rent status of CCS policies and regulations and up-to-cense agreement on our developed-microbubble CO2

date risk assessments on CO2 leakage and microseis-injection technology with Junlun Petroleum Company,

micity in the context of public perception There was

Chinese technology service company for oil produc-

also a presentation to update the status of R&D in thetion.

Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage Technology Research Association (GCS).
Date 16 January 2019
Venue Toranomon Hills Forum (Tokyo)
Organization Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage
Technology Research Association (GCS)
Co-organization Ministry of Economy, Trade and industry / New Energy and Industrial Technology
In depleted oilfields, a new technique called

CO2-EOR（Enhanced Oil Recovery） is occasionallyDevelopment Organization (NEDO)
Number of Participants 362

applied to increase oil recovery by injecting large volume of CO2 into oil formations to improve the mobility

Programof oil. The technology licensed in the agreement has

・Talk1: Current States of Legislation and Regulation

the potential of having higher oil recovery because it ison CCS

to inject CO2 as microbubbles, which potentially enter

Tim Dixon, IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme

low-permeability oil formations.
Junlun Petroleum Company has high-level tech-・Talk2: CO2 Risk Assessment on Leakage at CO2
Storage Sitenologies for heavy oil production and operates busi-

Katherine Romanak,ness with China National Petroleum Corporation

The University of Texas at Austin(CNPC) in the area, but faces difficulties in oil produc-

・Talk3: Progress and Challenges in Risk Manage-

tion in low permeability oilfields. Applying the patent

ment at CCS Sites: US Perspective

technology to such oilfields, the company plans to in-

Joshua White,

crease oil production in China. Wider deployment of

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

CO2-EOR through the technology licensing will contrib-・Talk4: Developments on Microseismic Monitoringute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and the mitiga-

and Risk Assessment of Large-scale CO2 Storagetion of the global warming.

Bettina Goertz-Allmann, NORSAR
・Talk5: Progress of R&D in the Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage Technology Research Association(GCS)
Ziqiu Xue, GCS, Japan

Schematic diagram of CO2-EOR

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Inorganic Membranes Research Center

Inorganic Membranes Research Center

Highly Functional Ceramics Expo

Inorganic Membrane Environment and Energy
Technology Symposium to Explore the Future

The third Highly Functional Ceramics Expo, orga-

This symposium focused on the latest trends innized by Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd., was held athydrogen energy uses and inorganic membranes and

Makuhari Messe from 5-7 December 2018. We intro-

efforts to put it into practical use, lectures by NEDO,

duced the R&D activities of RITE by showing samples

universities and companies, as well as the latest re-and models of inorganic membranes (silica, palladium,search by the IMeRC. We introduced the results andand zeolite membranes) that are currently being stud-

efforts of the Industrialization Strategy Council as anied by the IMeRC. We also introduced the Industrializa-

opportunity to think about promoting the developmenttion Strategy Council and our other efforts to put inno-

of innovative environmental and energy technologies

vativeusing inorganic membranes and creating the inorganic

environmental

andenergytechnologies

employing inorganic membranes into practical and in-membrane industry together with participants.

dustrial use. Over 130 people, including potential user

We received favorable comments from visitors,

companies, came to the RITE booth and discussed thesuch as “I understood the international trend of inor-

use and advantages of inorganic membranes whenganic membranes, and I realized that they are practical

applying the ordinary process. We will put the opinions

technologies in the near future.”of the attendees to good use in future R&D activities
and in strengthening industrial collaborations. Finally,

Program

we would like to thank all visitors for coming.

・Keynote Lecture ①: The latest trend in hydrogen energy utilization
Daishu Hara, Director, Advanced Battery and Hydrogen Technology Department, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technology Group, NEDO
・Lecture ①: Development Status of SOFC toward thecommercialization in the market
Kazuo Ieyama, Executive Officer,
Business and Product Department,
Hitachi Zosen Corporation
・Keynote lecture ②: Present state and new develop-

RITE exhibition boothment of nano / subnano porous silica membrane
Toshinori Tsuru, Professor,
Hiroshima University Graduate School of Engineering
・Lecture ②: Feature and application of high silica
CHA type zeolite membrane
Takahiko Takewaki, Principal Scientist,

Symposium

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Yokohama R&D Center・Activity report: Research results of inorganic membrane research center and plan for the future
Shin-ichi Nakao, Director, IMReC, RITE

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Outreach Activities 

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In order to introduce the recent achievements of our research and development and also to promote the collaboration among industry, government and academia, RITE is providing the most advanced information for mitigating
global warming through symposiums and various media.
In addition, we actively engage in environmental education activities on global warming issue targeting students
from elementary school to high school mainly in the Keihanna district where RITE is located.

Symposiums
Date

Symposium Description

Related Dept.

・Venue: Iino Hall・Organizer: Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage Technology Research Association (GCS)・Number of participants: 320

CO2 Storage
Research GroupCCS Technical Workshop
23 Jan. 2018

FY2017 ALPS International Symposium
9 Feb. 2018

・Venue: Toranomon Hills Forum・Organizer: RITE
・Number of participants: 310

Systems Analysis
Group

7th Symposium for Innovative CO2 Membrane Separation Technology
13 Feb. 2018

26 Sep. 2018

6 Nov. 2018

・Venue: Ito Hall・Organizer: Molecular Gate Membrane module Technology Research
Association (MGMTRA)
・Number of participants: 179

Symposium in Kansai on Global Warming Mitigation Technology for
Future Society
・Venue: Osaka Science & Technology Center・Organizer: RITE
・Number of participants: 156

Inorganic Membrane Environment and Energy Technology Symposium
to Explore the Future
・Venue: Ito Hall・Organizer: RITE
・Number of participants: 136

Innovative Environmental Technology Symposium 201819 Dec. 2018

・Venue: Ito Hall・Organizer: RITE
・Number of participants: 430

ChemicalResearch Group

Research &Coordination
Group

Inorganic
Membranes
Research Center

Research &CoordinationGroup

CCS Technical Workshop 201916 Jan. 2019

・Venue: Toranomon Hills Forum・Organizer: Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage Technology Research
Association (GCS)・Number of participants: 362

CO2 Storage
Research Group

8th Symposium for Innovative CO2 Membrane Separation Technology
18 Jan. 2019

・Venue: Ito Hall・Organizer: Molecular Gate Membrane module Technology Research
Association (MGMTRA)
・Number of participants: 179

ChemicalResearch Group56

Outreach Activities 

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Exhibitions
Dates

Event Description

Related Dept.

10-12 Oct.
2018

BioJapan 2018
・Venue: Paciﬁco Yokohama
・Organizer: BioJapan Organizing Committee, JTB Communication Design, Inc.

Molecular Microbiology
and Biotechnology
Group

5-7 Dec.
2018

3rd Highly Functional Ceramics Expo・Venue: Makuhari Messe
・Organizer: Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd.,

Inorganic Membranes
Research Center

Press Releases
Date

Title

5 Jan. 2018

Announcement of ALPS International Symposium

3 Jul. 2018

Announcement of Symposium in Kansai on Global Warming Mitigation Technology for Future Society

7 Sep. 2018

Announcement of Inorganic Membrane Environment and Energy Technology Symposium to Explore the Future

26 Oct. 2018

Announcement of Innovative Environmental Technology Symposium 2018

15 Nov. 2018

Announcement of CCS Technical Workshop2019

15 Nov. 2018

Announcement of 8th Symposium for Innovative CO2 Membrane Separation Technology

28 Nov. 2018

License Agreement with Junlun Petroleum Company on a Patent Technology for Microbubble CO2 Injection

Environmental Education◇Facility Visit Program and Lecture
Participants

Number ofparticipants

Date

Place

18 Jan.

RITE

Seikaminami Junior High School

5

29 Jan.

RITE

Kizugawadai Elementary School

37

20 Feb.

Seikaminami Junior High School

Seikaminami Junior High School54

22 Mar.

RITE

Nara Prefectural Institute for Educational Research, Career Seminar for High School Students

3
39

1 May

RITE

Narakita High School

18 MayRITE

Seika Junior High School

11

13 Jul.

RITE

Tezukayama Junior High School25

3 Aug.

RITE

Nishimaizuru High School

40

27 Aug.

RITE

Todaijigakuen Junior High School

27

27 Aug.

RITE

Kaisei Junior & Senior High School, Chemistry Club33

27 Sep.

RITE

Naragakuen Tomigaoka Junior High School

11

9 Oct.

Suzaku Daiyon Elementary School

Suzaku Daiyon Elementary School48

18 Oct.

RITE

MASUDA Senior High School

21

16 Nov.

RITE

Seikanishi Junior High School

6◇Workshop and Exhibition
Date

Place

3 Feb.

Keihanna-Plaza

Jul. - Aug.

RITE

Title

Number ofparticipants

KEIHANNA Science Festival 2018
Global Warming and CCS Study Workshop “Experiment and Game”

59

57

2018 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Directors・Research & Coordination Group
Other Paper
Title

Researchers

Journal1

Climate Pledges: The Need for Greater Transparency

Mitsutsune Yamaguchi

The Japan Journal, MAY/JUNE, pp.24-25,
20182

Issues Concerning the Paris Agreement on Global
Warming: Limitations of Negative Emissions
Dependence̶ Make Zero Emissions the Guiding
Principle

Y. Kaya and M. Yamaguchi

Discuss Japan̶Japan Foreign Policy
Forum, No.50, 2018

Oral Presentation (International Academic Society)Title
1

Development of Educational Materials and Programsfor Public Outreach of CCS

Researchers
Naoko Onishi, Nami Tatsumi, Satoshi
Nakamura and Yoshinori Aoki.

Forum
14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies(GHGT-14), Melbourne, Australia
October 21-26, 2018

Oral Presentation (Domestic Academic Society)Title
1

Researchers

A Proposal for climate change strategies up to and after
M. Yamaguchi
2030 from short and mid-long term perspectives

Forum
The 23rd Annual Meeting of Society for
Environmental Economics and Policy
Studies, Sep. 8, 2018

Systems Analysis Group
Original Paper
Title

Researchers

1

A global analysis of residential heating and cooling
service demand and cost-effective energy consumption
under different climate change scenarios up to 2050

2

Low-carbon investments from the perspective of electric
B. Shoai-Tehrani, K. Akimoto, F. Sanoutilities: The burden of the past3

A model-based analysis on energy systems transition
for climate change mitigation and ambient particulatematter 2.5 concentration reduction

4

An Analysis on Global Energy-Related CO2 Emission
Reduction and Energy Systems by Current Climate and K. Gi, F. Sano, T. Homma, J. Oda, A.
Energy Policies and the Nationally Determined
Hayashi, K. AkimotoContributions

JournalMitigation and Adaptation Strategies for
K. Gi, F. Sano, A. Hayashi, T. Tomoda,
Global Change, Vol. 23, Issue1, pp. 51-79,
K. AkimotoJan. 2018
Utilities Policy, Vol. 51, pp. 18-32, April
2018

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for
K. Gi, F. Sano, A. Hayashi, K. Akimoto Global Change, Published online Apr. 2,
2018
Journal of the Japan Institute of Energy,Vol. 97, pp. 135-146, 20185

Global energy sector emission reductions andbioenergy use: overview of the bioenergy demandphase of the EMF-33 model comparison

N. Bauer, S. K. Rose, S. Fujimori, D. P.
van Vuuren, J. Weyant, M. Wise, Y. Cui,
V. Daioglou, M. J. Gidden, E. Kato, A.
Climatic Change, Published online July 2,
Kitous, F. Leblanc, R. Sands, F. Sano, J.
2018
Strefler, J. Tsutsui, R. Bibas, O. Fricko,
T. Hasegawa, D. Klein, A. Kurosawa, S.
Mima, M. Muratori

6

GHG emission pathways until 2300 for the 1.5℃
temperature rise target and the mitigation costs
achieving the pathways

K. Akimoto, F. Sano, T. Tomoda

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for
Global Change, Vol. 23, No. 6, August
2018

7

Next step in geoengineering scenario research:
Restrained deployment scenarios and beyond

M. Sugiyama, Y. Arino, T. Kosugi, A.
Kurosawa, S. Watanabe

Climate Policy, Vol. 18, No. 6, pp 681-689,
20188Interaction of consumer preferences and climate
policies in the global transition to low-carbon vehicles

D. L. McCollum, C. Wilson, M. Bevione,
S. Carrara, O. Y. Edelenbosch, J.
Emmerling , C. Guivarch, P.
Karkatsoulis, I. Keppo, V. Krey, Z. Lin, E. Nature Energy 3, pp. 664-673, 2018
O Broin, L. Paroussos, H. Pettifor, K.
Ramea, K. Riahi, F. Sano, B. S.
Rodrigues, D. P. van Vuuren

9

Changes in terrestrial water stress and contributions ofmajor factors under temperature rise constraint
scenarios

A. Hayashi, F. Sano, Y. Nakagami, K.
AkimotoMitigation and Adaptation Strategies for
Global Change, Vol.23 No.8, pp. 11791205, December 2018

Oral Presentation (International Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Forum

1

Ex-post evaluation of cost effectiveness of residential
solar PV diffusion policy in Japan: The case of feed-in
tariffY. Arino

Grand Renewable Energy 2018
(GRE2018), Jun. 19, 2018, Japan2

An analysis of large-scale supply cost of energy crops
under climate change scenarios

A. Hayashi, F. Sano, K. Akimoto

Grand Renewable Energy 2018
(GRE2018), Jun. 21, 2018, Japan

58

2018 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Systems Analysis Group
Title

ResearchersForum

K. Akimoto, T. Homma, F. Sano,
B. Shoai-Tehrani

WCERE 2018 - 6th World Congress ofEnvironmental and Resource Economists,
Jun. 26, 2018, Sweden

4

Toward a strategic design of the CCS demonstration
projects: A statistical approach

N. Wang, K. Akimoto

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies(GHGT-14), Melbourne, Australia
October 21-26, 2018

5

Contribution of fusion energy to low-carbon
development under the Paris Agreement andaccompanying uncertainties

K. Gi, F. Sano, K. Akimoto, R.
Hiwatari, K. Tobita

27th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, Oct.
24, 2018, India

6

Assessment of Equity of Feed-in Tariff in Japan

T. Nagata, Y. Arino, Y. Nakano, K.
AkimotoICUE2018 on Green Energy for
Sustainable Development, Oct. 24, 2018,
Thailand

7

The interplay of climate policy and electric sector
deregulation: the perspective of firmʼs investment
strategy in renewable energy

N. Wang, K. Akimoto

6th IAEE Asian Conference, Nov. 3, 2018,
China

8

Alternative pathways for deep emission reductions withlow energy demands and low carbon prices considering K. Akimoto, F. Sano, K. Gi
a car- and ride-sharing society

3

Evaluations on emission reduction efforts of NDCs andtheir economic impacts by sector

IAMC annual meeting, Nov. 13-15, 2018,
Spain

Oral Presentation (Domestic Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Forum

1

Assessment of Equity of Feed-in Tariff

T. Nagata, Y. Arino, Y. Nakano, K.
AkimotoThe 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 25, 20182

An Impact Analysis of Subsidizing Program for EnergyEfficient Housing by the Income Groups

Y. Nakano, K. Akimoto, T. Nagata, Y.
Arino

The 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 25, 2018

3

Economic Analysis on climate change impacts andadaptation considering coastal and agricultural sectors

T. Homma, Y. Arino, A. Hayashi, M.
Nagashima, K. Akimoto

The 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 26, 20184

Evaluations on Contributions through Diffusions and
Deployments of Environmentally-friendly Products to
Global CO2 Emission Reductions

K. Akimoto, T. Homma, F. Sano, J.
Oda

The 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 26, 2018

5

A Consideration of Service Demand in Terms of Time
Use Consumption

K. Gi, K. Akimoto, F. Sano, T. Homma, The 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,
J. Odaand Environment, Jan. 26, 20186

Assessment of Concentrated Solar Power Generation
with World Energy Model DNE21+

B. Shoai-Tehrani, K. Akimoto, F. Sano, The 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,
N. Nakamura
and Environment, Jan. 26, 20187

Evaluation of Steel Product Trade Elasticity of
Substitution

J. Oda, T. Homma, K. Akimoto

The 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 26, 20188

A Bottom-up End-use Model for Myanmar Regional
Residential Electricity Demand

N. Wang, J. Oda, K. Akimoto

The 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 26, 20189

Support to developing countries under the Paris
Agreement

K. WadaThe 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 26, 201810

Assessment of the Effective Allocation of Climate
Finance for Mitigation

M. Nagashima, F. Sano, K. Akimoto,
K. Gi

The 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 26, 201811

An Analysis on Land-Use Change and Food Access
Under Scenarios for Long-term-temperature Targets

A. Hayashi, F. Sano, T. Homma, K.
AkimotoThe 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 26, 201812

Potential estimates of renewable energy based on GIS
data for a world energy system model

N. Nakamura, F. Sano, K. Akimoto, B.
Shoai-Tehrani, K. Gi

The 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 26, 201813

A Study on diffusion of Sharing Economy in Mobility

F. Sano, K. Akimoto, J. Oda, K. Gi

The 34th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 26, 201814

Strategies of Energy and Global Warming Response
Measures and the Roles of Fusion Energy

K. Akimoto

12th Joint Conference on Fusion Energy,
Jun.28, 201815

An analysis of development targets of fusion energy
under the Paris Agreement

K. Gi, F. Sano, K. Akimoto, R.
Hiwatari, K. Tobita

12th Joint Conference on Fusion Energy,
Jun. 28, 201816

Global energy prospects: Social landscape andtechnology development

K. Gi

12th Joint Conference on Fusion Energy,
Jun.29, 201817

Analyses of effects of volatility in electricity wholesale
prices on investment in power plant

J. Oda, Y. Nakano, K. Akimoto

JAROS2018, Dec. 2, 2018

Other Oral Presentation and Non-Journal Publication
Title
1

Let's learn more on energy

Researchers
K. Akimoto

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.
Seminar for workshop for women on daily
environmental issues in Takayama, Jan.
13, 2018

59

2018 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Systems Analysis Group
Title

Researchers

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.

2Countermeasure scenario on energy based on
uncertainties of socioeconomy and climate change

K. Akimoto

Japan Atomic Energy Commission regularmeeting, Jan. 30, 20183

Evaluation of Relationship between Embodied Energy
and Transport Energy of Cities in JapanJ. Oda, K. Akimoto

Japan-Brazil Joint Workshop "Towards
Sustainable Urban Energy Systems:
Experiences from Asia and Latin America",
Feb. 2, 2018

4

Long-term strategy toward deep emission reductions
under several kinds of uncertainties

K. Akimoto

International Symposium-Prospect ofDecarbonization after the Paris Agreement,
Feb. 8, 2018

5

Climate change response strategy toward long-term
zero CO2 emissions

K. Akimoto

ALPS International Symposium, Feb, 9,
2018

6

National and international situation regarding Basic
Energy Plan and discussion about its revision

K. Akimoto

ANRE regional information exchanging
program workshop, Feb. 15, 20187

Differences among emission reduction costs due touncertainties of climate projection

K. Akimoto

Scenario initiative meeting, Feb. 20, 20188

Differences among emission reduction costs due touncertainties of climate projection

K. Akimoto

Integrated Research Program for
Advancing Climate Models (TOUGOU),
Mar. 8, 20189

Progress and issues on long-term global warming
countermeasures and energy policies

K. Akimoto

Industrial policy committee of theFederation of Electric Power Related
Industry Worker's Unions of Japan, Mar.
27, 201810

Outcomes of CTCN advisory committee and TEC

K. WadaThe 72nd TECUSE Study Meeting, Apr. 18,
2018

11

A study on the scenario of progress in sharing economy F. Sano

TPES (Tokyo Professional Energy
Seminar), Apr. 20, 201812

A position of LNG towards long-term emission reduction
K. Akimotoand trends in policies for energy and global warming

Plenary meeting of Tokai-Hokuriku Division,
Japan Gas Association, May 15, 201813

Trends of energy consumption and CO2 reduction inindustry sector: focused on iron and cement sectors

J. OdaEnergy chain WG, Research Institute forAdvanced Network Technology, Advanced
Collaborative Research Organization for
Smart Society, Waseda University, May 17,
2018

14

Talanoa Dialogue

K. WadaThe 73rd TECUSE Study Meeting, May 23,
2018

15

Direction of the 5th Basic Energy plan

K. Akimoto

Round-table conference on energy policy,
Japan Society of Energy and Resources,
May 29, 201816

Strategies of Japanese steel sector for the contributionof worldwide reduction of CO2 emissions

K. Akimoto, J. Oda

the 233rd Nishiyama memorial lectures oftechnology, Jun. 7, 201817

Strategies of Japanese steel sector for the contributionof worldwide reduction of CO2 emissions

J. Oda, K. Akimoto

the 234th Nishiyama memorial lectures oftechnology, Jun. 21, 201818

Chapter 2: The Paradoxes of the European Energy
Market Regulation: A Historical and Structural Analysisof the Electricity Mix

B. Shoai-Tehrani, P. da Costa

Towards a Sustainable Economy, July
2018

19

Scenario analysis for developing long-term low
emission development strategy

K. Akimoto

RITE Association Meeting, Jul. 6, 201820

An economic assessment of renewable energies andtheir issues

K. Akimoto

Society for scientific study on renewableenergy and public policy of the Universityof Tokyo, Jul. 11, 201821

An assessment of the 5th Strategic Energy Plan, its
impact on SME and required measures

K. Akimoto

The 5th Energy and Environment
Committee of the Japan Chamber ofCommerce and Industry/the Tokyo
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jul.
11, 2018

22

The 5th Strategic Energy Plan

K. Akimoto

Saga Prefectural Government, Aug. 30,
2018

23

Global warming and energy strategy

K. AkimotoWorkshop for women "weather tomorrow,future earth", Sep. 20, 201824

Strategy for responding to climate risk under Paris
Agreement and roles of various mitigation technologies

K. Akimoto

Symposium on technologies for global
warming countermeasures towards futuresociety in Kansai, Sep. 26, 201825

A Consideration of Service Demand in Terms of Time
Budgets: A case study of passenger travel demand in
Japan

K. Gi

Rethinking Energy Demand Discussion
Workshop, Sep. 26, 201860

2018 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Systems Analysis Group
Title

Researchers

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.

26

The 5th Strategic Energy Plan and future measures ofenergy and global warming

K. Akimoto

Keynote seminar in Advanced energy
technology exhibition, 2018 Ecotechnology exhibition, Oct. 10, 201827

The 5th Strategic Energy Plan

K. Akimoto

CCS Forum, Oct. 12, 201828

Outline of RITE Global model for energy and climatechange mitigation, and economic assessment of CCS
under various scenarios

F. SanoCCS Forum, Oct. 12, 201829

Comments based on IEEJ Outlook 2019

K. Akimoto

430th Forum on Research Works, The
Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, Oct.
15, 2018

30

The 5th Strategic Energy Plan

K. Akimoto

Liaison council for affiliate organizations of
nuclear fuel tax, Nov. 1, 201831

IPCC 1.5℃ Special Report

K. WadaThe 78th TECUSE Study Meeting, Nov. 21,
2018

32

Science technology, energy and global warming issues

K. Akimoto

Tokai University Shizuoka Shoyo SeniorHigh School, Nov. 22, 201833

Trends and the future of global warming policies under
the Paris Agreement

K. Akimoto

The Japan Society of Industrial Machinery
Manufacturers, Nov. 26, 201834

Chapter 10 Industry & living Environment (Editor)

K. Gi, K. Akimoto

Chronological Environmental Tables
2019-2020, Maruzen Publishing, Nov. 30,
2018

35

Evaluations on Emission Reduction Efforts of NDCs for
Sustainable Measures Responding to Climate Change

K. Akimoto, T. Homma, F. Sano

COP24 Japan Pavilion side event, Dec. 11,
2018, Poland

36

Evaluations on Emission Reduction Efforts of NDCs
and the Implications of Global Effectiveness on Climate
Change Mitigation

K. Akimoto, T. Homma, F. Sano

COP24 UNFCCC official side event, Dec.
13, 2018, Poland

37

Global warming and energy

K. Akimoto

Seminar on weather anomalies andenvironmental issues, Dec. 18, 201838

Potentials of low-energy demand and its impact on
global warming countermeasures

K. Akimoto

Innovative Environmental Technology
Symposium 2018, Dec. 19, 201839

Summary of IPCC 1.5℃ Special Report and COP24

K. WadaJMIP Workshop, Dec. 21, 2018

Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group
Original Paper
Researchers

Journal1

Production of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid by an aerobic
growth-arrested bioprocess using metabolicallyengineered Corynebacterium glutamicum

Title

Y. Kitade, R. Hashimoto, M. Suda, K.
Hiraga, M. InuiAppl. Environ. Microbiol., Vol.84, e0258717, 20182

Efficient construction of xenogeneic genomic libraries
by circumventing restriction-modification systems that
restrict methylated DNA

S. Hasegawa, T. Jojima, M. Inui

J. Microbiol. Methods., Vol.146, pp.13-15,
2018

3

Glutamine-rich toxic proteins GrtA, GrtB and GrtC
together with the antisense RNA AsgR constitute a
toxin-antitoxin-like system in Corynebacterium
glutamicum

T. Maeda, Y. Tanaka, M. Inui

Mol. Microbiol., Vol.108, pp.578-594, 2018

4

Development of green chemical production technology
to realize a low carbon society

M. Inui

BioPla Journal, Vol.17, pp.15-19, 2018

5

Development of biofuel & green chemical production
technologies to realize a low carbon society

M. Inui

Society of Biomass Utilization, Vol.19,
pp.25-34, 2018

6

Strategies for metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium K. Toyoda, T. Kubota, T. Kogure, M.
glutamicum on the comprehensive analyses
Inui

Smart Cell Industry -Prospect of Bio-BasedMaterial Production Using Microbial Cells-,
CMC Publishing Co.,Ltd., pp.183-188,
20187

Recent advances in metabolic engineering ofCorynebacterium glutamicum for bioproduction ofvalue-added aromatic chemicals and natural products

T. Kogure, M. InuiAppl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., Vol.102,
pp.8685-8705, 2018 (Mini-Review)

8

Bioproduction of aromatic compounds by
Corynebacterium glutamicum

T. Kubota, M. Inui

Agricultural Biotechnology, Vol.27,
pp.38-40, 2018

9Enhanced production of D-lactate from mixed sugars in
Corynebacterium glutamicum by overexpression of
glycolytic genes encoding phosphofructokinase andtriosephosphate isomerase

Y. Tsuge, N. Kato, S. Yamamoto, M.
Suda, M. Inui

J. Biosci. Bioeng. (in press)61

2018 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group
Title
10

Introduction of the glyoxylate bypass increases
hydrogen gas yield from acetate and L-glutamate in
Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Researchers
T. Shimizu, H. Teramoto, M. Inui

JournalAppl. Environ. Microbiol. (in press)

Oral Presentation (International Academic Society)
Title
1

Mutation analysis of an ECF sigma factor-dependent
promoter in Corynebacterium glutamicum

Researchers
Koichi Toyoda, Masayuki InuiForum
The 43rd FEBS CONGRESS, Jul. 7-12,
2018

Oral Presentation (Domestic Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Forum

1

Regulation of cspA gene expression in
Corynebacterium glutamicum

Yuya Tanaka, Masayuki Inui

The 2018 Annual Meeting of The Japan
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 16-18, 20182

Identification of the σD regulon in Corynebacterium
glutamicum

Koichi Toyoda, Masayuki Inui

The 2018 Annual Meeting of The Japan
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 16-18, 20183

Improvement of H2 yield from acetate by metabolicengineering of Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Tetsu Shimizu, Haruhiko Teramoto,
Masayuki Inui

The 2018 Annual Meeting of The Japan
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 16-18, 2018

4

Aptitude analysis of microorganism for producing
aromatic compounds by evaluating stress tolerance

Ryoji Ogura, Takeshi Kubota,
Masayuki Inui

The 2018 Annual Meeting of The Japan
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 16-18, 2018

5

Functional analysis of asparagine and aspartic acidmetabolism-related genes in Corynebacterium
glutamicum

Akihiro Domon, Ikumi Fukui, Masako
Suda, Taku Nishimura, Koichi Toyoda,
Kazumi Hiraga, Masayuki Inui

The 2018 Annual Meeting of The Japan
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 16-18, 2018

6

Expression of RNase III regulation analysis in
Corynebacterium glutamicum

The 2018 Annual Meeting of The Japan
Masato Sawa, Yuya Tanaka, Masayuki
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andInui
Agrochemistry, Mar. 16-18, 20187

Construction of a screening system for isoprenoid
biosynthesis enzymes

Hiroki Machida, Shinichi Oide,
Masayuki Inui

The 2018 Annual Meeting of The Japan
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 16-18, 20188

Thermotolerance of Corynebacterium glutamicum on
production of lactate and succinate under anaerobic
conditions

Hikaru Mizuno, Koichi Toyoda,
Kazuaki Ninomiya, Masayuki Inui,
Akihiko Kondo, Kenji Takahashi, Yota
Tsuge

The 2018 Annual Meeting of The Japan
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 16-18, 20189

Glutamine-rich proteins with antisense RNA constituteYuya Tanaka, Tomoya Maeda,
a toxin-antitoxin system in Corynebacterium glutamicum Masayuki Inui10

Overproduction of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid using
metabolically engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum

Yukihiro Kitade, Ryoma Hashimoto,
Masako Suda, Kazumi Hiraga,
Masayuki Inui

The 70th Annual Meeting of the Society of
Biotechnology of Japan, Sep. 5-7, 201811

A study on the ECF σ factor-specific promoter
sequence in Corynebacterium glutamicum

Koichi Toyoda, Masayuki Inui

The 70th Annual Meeting of the Society of
Biotechnology of Japan, Sep. 5-7, 2018

12

Trehalose acts as a uridine 5'-diphosphoglucosecompetitive inhibitor of trehalose 6-phosphate synthasein Corynebacterium glutamicum

Shinichi Oide, Masayuki Inui

The 70th Annual Meeting of the Society of
Biotechnology of Japan, Sep. 5-7, 201813

The differene between optimal temperature for cell
growth and central metabolic pathway in
Corynebacterium glutamicum

Hikaru Mizuno, Koichi Toyoda,
Kazuaki Ninomiya, Kenji Takahashi,
Masayuki Inui, Yota Tsuge

11th Hokuriku Combination Bio Symposium,
Oct. 26-27, 2018

The 70th Annual Meeting of the Society of
Biotechnology of Japan, Sep. 5-7, 2018

Other Oral Presentation and Non-Journal Publication
Title

Researchers

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.

1

Development of biofuel & green chemical production
technologies to realize a low carbon society

Masayuki Inui

Sentan Seeds Forum, Feb. 1, 20182

Microbial degradation of poly (ethylene terephthalate)(PET) and its mechanism

Kazumi Hiraga

Symposium of The 2018 Annual Meeting of
The Japan Society for Bioscience,
Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, Mar. 18,
2018

3

Development of biorefinery technology using
functionally improved Corynebacteria

Masayuki Inui

Symposium of The 2018 Annual Meeting of
The Japan Society for Bioscience,
Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, Mar. 18,
2018

62

2018 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group
Title

Researchers

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.

4Development of biorefinery technology toward realizing
a carbon recycling society

Masayuki Inui

Nagase R&D Center, NAGASE & CO.,LTD., Jul. 3, 2018

5

Development of biorefinery technology toward realizing
a carbon recycling society

Masayuki Inui

Symposium in Kansai on Global Warming
Mitigation Technology for Future Society,Sep. 26, 2018

6

"Let's fly a jet plane with 100,000 clothes"-

Press Releases (Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.),
Oct. 11, 20187

Development of green bioprocess to realize asustainable society

Masayuki Inui

Innovative Environmental Technology
Symposium 2018, Dec. 19, 2018

Chemical Research Group
Original Paper
Title

Researchers

Journal1

Preparation of Biodegradable Polymer Nanospheres
Containing Manganese Porphyrin（Mn-Porphyrin）

Fuminori Ito, Hidetaka Yamada,Kiyoshi Kanamura, Hiroyoshi
Kawakami

2

Exploring the Role of Imidazoles in Amine-ImpregnatedMesoporous Silica for CO2 Capture

Quyen T. Vu, Hidetaka Yamada,Katsunori Yogo

Industrial & Engineering Chemistry
Research
Vol.57 No.7 pp 2638-2644, 20183

Development and fabrication of PAMAM-based
composite membrane module with a gutter layer ofChitosan/PAA polymer double network for CO2
separation

Shuhong Duan, Teruhiko Kai, Shingo
KazamaIOP Conference Series: Materials Scienceand Engineering（NMCI2018）Vol.296 pp
1-9, 2018

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic
Polymers and Materials（online）pp1-9, 11 October 2018

Oral Presentation (International Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Forum
23rd International Congress of Chemicaland Process Engineering, Prague, Czech
Republic, August 26-29, 20181

Liquid-liquid phase separation induced by carbon
dioxide absorption in amine-water systemB39:D46s

H. Yamada, R. Numaguchi, F. A.
Chowdhury, S. Yamamoto, K. Goto, Y.
Matsuzaki, M. Onoda

2

Development of Chemical CO2 Solvent for HighPressure CO2 Capture (4) : Potentiality for LowTemperature Regeneration

Shin Yamamoto

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies(GHGT-14), Melbourne, Australia
October 21-26, 20183

Development of novel solvents of CO2 removal fromblast furnace gas

Kazuya Goto, Firoz Alam Chowdhury,
Hidetaka Yamada, Shin Yamamoto,
Yoichi Matsuzaki, Masami Onoda

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies(GHGT-14), Melbourne, Australia
October 21-26, 2018

4

A guide to evaluate non-aqueous solvents and amine
absorbent structures for post-combustion CO2 capture

Firoz Alam Chowdhury, Kazuya Goto,
Hidetaka Yamada, Yoichi Matsuzaki,
Masami Onoda

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies(GHGT-14), Melbourne, Australia
October 21-26, 2018

5

Development of CO2 molecular gate membrane
modules for IGCC process with CO2 capture

Teruhiko Kai, Shuhong Duan,
Fuminori Ito, Satoshi Mikami,
Yoshinobu Sato, Shin-ichi Nakano

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies(GHGT-14), Melbourne, Australia
October 21-26, 2018

6

Advanced post-combustion CO2 capture system usingnovel polyamine-based solid sorbents

Hidetaka Yamada, Shin Yamamoto,Junpei Fujiki, Firoz A. Chowdhury,
Nobuyuki Takayama, Kazuya Goto,
Katsuhiro Yoshizawa, Takeshi
Okumura, Ryohei Numaguchi, Shohei
Nishibe, Katsunori Yogo

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies(GHGT-14), Melbourne, Australia
October 21-26, 20187

Development of Amino-Functionalized New Task
Specific Ionic Liquids (TSILs) for Efficient CO2 Capture

Firoz Alam Chowdhury, Kazuya Goto

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies(GHGT-14), Melbourne, Australia
October 21-26, 20188

Demonstration Plant of the Kawasaki CO2 Capture(KCC) System with Solid Sorbent for Coal-fired Power
Stations

Takeshi Okumura, Katsuhiro
Yoshizawa, Atsushi Kanou, Yusuke
Hasegawa, Shigeki Inoue, Koujirou
Tsuji, Satoshi Fujita, Mizuki Nabeshima,
Hidetaka Yamada, Shin Yamamoto,Nobuyuki Takayama, Katsunori Yogo

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies(GHGT-14), Melbourne, Australia
October 21-26, 2018

632018 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Chemical Research Group
Oral Presentation (Domestic Academic Society)Title
1

Researchers

Firoz A. Chowdhury, Shin Yamamoto,Development of Non-aqueous Amine Based Absorbents
Hidetaka Yamada, Kazuya Goto,for Post-combustion CO2 Capture
Yoichi Matsuzaki, Masami Onoda

Forum
The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan
83rd Annual Meeting
March 13-15, 2018

Other Oral Presentation and Non-Journal Publication
Title
1

Development of the Kinetics Simulator Based on
Transition State Theory and its Application to CO2
Absorption Reactions

Researchers

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.

34th Symposium on Chemical Kinetics andH. Yamada, T. Yamaguchi, T. Fujiwara,
Dynamics
K. Hori
June 7, 2018

CO2 Storage Research Group
Original Paper
Title

Researchers

Journal1

Geophysical monitoring at the Nagaoka pilot-scale CO2
injection site in Japan

Takahiro Nakajima, Ziqiu Xue

Active Monitoring, 2nd ed., Elsevier, 20192

Fiber optic sensing for geomechanical monitoring:(1)-Distributed strain measurements of two sandstones
under hydrostatic confining and pore pressure
conditions

Ziqiu Xue, Ji-Quan Shi, Yoshiaki
Yamauchi, Sevket Durucan

Applied Sciences, 8, 11, 2103, 20183

Fiber optics Sensing for geomechanical monitoring (2)distributed strain measurements at a pumping test andgeomechanical modeling of deformation of reservoir
rocks

Xinglin Lei, Ziqiu Xue, Tsutomu
HashimotoApplied Sciences, in press

4

Laboratory Measurement of Submicrogal Gravity Change
Hiroki Goto, Hiroshi Ikeda, Mituhikoin Time Domain Using a Portable Superconducting
Sugihara
Gravimeter without a Cryogenic Refrigerator

5

Detecting CO2 leakage at offshore storage sites using
the convariance between the partial pressure of CO2
and the saturation of dissolved oxygen in seawater

Keisuke Uchimoto, Makoto Nishimura, International Journal of Greenhouse Gas
Jun Kita, Ziqiu Xue
Control, 72, 130-137, 20186

Seismic and strain detection of heterogeneous spatial
distribution of CO2 in high-permeable sandstone

Keigo Kitamura, Osamu Nishizawa,
Kenneth T. Christensen, Takuma Ito,
Robert J. FinleyInternational Journal of Greenhouse Gas
Control, 72, 65-73, 20187

Fiber optic distributed sensing technology for real-timemonitoring water jet test: implications for wellbore
integrity diagnostics

Yankun Sun, Ziqiu Xue, Tsutomu
Hashimoto

Journal of Natural Gas Science &Engineering, 58, 241-250, 20188

Tracking CO2 plumes in clay ‐ rich rock by distributed
fiber optic strain sensing (DFOSS): a laboratory
demonstration

Yi Zhang, Ziqiu Xue, Hyuck Park,
Water Resource Research, https://doi.
Ji-Quan Shi, Tamotsu Kiyama, Xinglinorg/10.1029/2018WR023415
Lei, Yankun Sun, Yunfeng Liang

9

A field experiment of inside CT walk-away DAS-VSP at
a deep and highly deviated well for time-lapse
subsurface monitoring

Yuki Kobayashi, Ryohei Naruse, Keita
Journal of the Japanese Association for
Adachi, Yusuke Morishima, Masanori
Petroleum Technology, 83, 11, 2018
Tani, Ziqiu Xue

10

The potential of application of micro bubble technology
to EOR

Ryo Ueda, Utaro Kaito, Kazunori
Nakagawa, Masanori Nakano, Ziqiu
Xue

Journal of the Japanese Association for
Petroleum Technology, 83, 6, 201811

On the feasibility of the monitoring of earthquake event
utilizing an optical fiber deployed inside a well - An
example of an earthquake event detected by passive
DAS recording in a deep well in Japan -Yuki Kobayashi, Ryohei Naruse, Ziqiu
Xue

Geophysical Exploration, 71, 56-70, 2018

12

Changes in migration mode of brine and supercritical
CO2 in imbibition process under steady flow state ofvery slow fluid velocities

Tetsuya Kogure, Yi Zhang, Osamu
Nishizawa, and Ziqiu Xue

Geophysical Journal International, 214, 2,
2018, 1413-1425

13

Use of SEM-EDX analysis for conventional
measurement of major element compositions and its
geological application

Takuma Ito, Atsushi Obuchi, Kazuhiko
Nakano, Tokio Sasai, Ziqiu Xue

Analytical Chemistry, submitted

14

Deformation-based monitoring of water migration inrock by distributed fiber optic strain sensing

Yi Zhang, Ziqiu Xue

Water Resources Research, submitted

15

Experimental and numerical simulation of supercritical
CO2 microbubbles injection into a brine saturated
porous medium

Patmonoaji Anindityo, Yi Zhang, Ziqiu
Xue, Tetsuya Suekane

International Journal of Greenhouse Gas
Control, submitted

16

Swelling phenomena of kaolinite induced by CO2 andwater

JiangTao Pang, Yunfeng Liang,
Yoshihiro Masuda, Toshifumi
Matsuoka, Yi Zhang, Ziqiu Xue

Nature Communications, submitted

Geophysical Research Letters, submitted

64

2018 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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CO2 Storage Research Group
Title

Researchers

Journal17

Distributed fiber optic sensing system for well-based
monitoring water injection tests - a geomechanicalresponses perspective

Yankun Sun, Ziqiu Xue, Tsutomu
Hashimoto, Xinglin Lei, Yi Zhang

Water Resources Research, submitted

18

Correction of salinity effect on pH measurement toevaluate geochemical reaction related with CO2
geological storage

Saeko Mito, Ziqiu Xue

Journal of MMIJ, submitted

19

Shear-induced permeability reduction and shear-zone
development of sand under high vertical stress

Kimura Sho, Hiroaki Kaneko, Shohei
Noda, Takuma Ito, Hideki Minagawa

Engineering Geology, 238, 86-98, 201820

Depressurization and electrical heating of methane
hydrate sediment for gas production: Laboratory-scale
experiments

Hideki Minagawa, Takuma Ito, Sho
Kimura, Hiroaki Kaneko, Shohei
Noda, Norio Tenma

Journal of Natural Gas Science andEngineering, 50, 147-156, 2018

Non-Journal Publication
Title

Researchers

1

Application of marine engineering to offshore CO2
storage: A method to detect CO2 leakage using pCO2

Keisuke Uchimoto, Makoto Nishimura, Ziqiu Xue

Bulletin of the Society of Sea Water
Sciencem Japan, 72, 1, 2018

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.

2

Report on Global CCS Symposium 2017

Ryozo Tanaka

IEEJ Transactions on Power and Energy,,
142, 5, 20183

Microbubble CO2 flooding: an innovative technology forthe development of low-permeability oil fields

Ziqiu Xue

CHINA CHEMICAL NEWS, 2018

Oral Presentation (International Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Forum

1

Microbubble CCUS(CO2EOR) application effort

Ryo Ueda, Ziqiu Xue

CCS Seminar, Jakarta, Indonesia,
2018/2/7

2

Tomakomai lessons learned in offshore CO2 storage
regulations

Ryozo Tanaka

3rd International Workshop on Offshore
Geologic CO2 Storage, Oslo, Norway,
2018/5/3

3

Discussion on London Protocol application to Norway
and EOR

Ryozo Tanaka

3rd International Workshop on Offshore
Geologic CO2 Storage, Oslo, Norway,
2018/5/3

4

Update on leakage detection

Keisuke Uchimoto

3rd International Workshop on Offshore
Geologic CO2 Storage, Oslo, Norway,
2018/5/3

5Advantages of Distributed Deformation Monitoring by
Fiber-Optic Sensor in Geomechanical Modelling

Xinglin Lei, Ziqiu Xue, Tsutomu
Hashimoto15th Annual Meeting Asia Oceania
Geosciences Society AOGS2018 Hawaii,
US, 2018/6/5

6Inside CT-DAS-VSP acquisition using a highly-deviateddeep well, onshore Japan

Ryohei Naruse, Yuki Kobayashi,
Yusuke Morishima, Ziqiu Xue

Society of Exploration Geophysicists
International Exposition and 88th Annual
Meeting, California, US, 2018/10/16

7

Microbubble CO2 injection for Enhanced Oil Recovery
and Geological Sequestration in Heterogeneous and
Low Permeability Reservoirs

14th International Conference on
Ziqiu Xue, Hyuck Park, Ryo Ueda,
Masanori Nakano, Takumi Nishii, Shin Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22
Inagaki

8

A preliminary experiment on the detection of bubbles inthe sea with side-scan sonor

14th International Conference on
Keisuke Uchimoto, Makoto Nishimura,Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
Yuji Watanabe, Ziqiu Xue
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22

9Rock reaction experiments in CO2-dissolved hot springwaters to evaluate effects of carbonate dissolution on
caprockʼs sealing performance

Masao Sorai

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22

10

Numerical Study on the Effects of Contact Angle
Change on Capillary trapping

Yuki Kano, Tsuneo Ishido, Masao
Sorai

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22

11

Introduction to ISO Technical Report on Lifecycle Risk
Management for Integrated CCS Projects

Xiaochun Li, Guizhen Liu, Sarah
Forbes, Atsuko Tanaka, Ken
14th International Conference on
Hnottavange-Telleen, Franz May,
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
Sallie Greenberg, Philip Stauffer, Rick
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22
Chalaturnyk, Hubert Fabriol, Xiaoliang
Yang, Andy Brown

12

Experimental study of microbubble CO2 flooding inheterogeneous sedimentary rock

Hyuck Park, Lanlan Jiang, Tamotsu
Kiyama, Ziqiu Xue,

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22

13

Field measurement using distributed fiber-optic sensing
technology and numerical simulation of geomechanicaldeformation caused by CO2 injection

Yunkun Sun, Ziqiu Xue, Yi Zhang,
Tsutomu Hashimoto, Hyuck Park

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22

65

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CO2 Storage Research Group
Title

Researchers

Forum

14

Gas-tight pH measurements to assess an effect of CO2
on groundwater

Saeko Mito, Ziqiu Xue, Bracken T.
Wimmer, Abbas Iranmanesh, Hongbo
Shao, Randall A. Locke, Sallie E.
Greenberg

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22

15

Advanced well log analyses using image data at the
Nagaoka CO2 injection site

Takahiro Nakajima, Ziqiu Xue

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22

16

Utilization of wave attenuation in time-lapse soniclogging data for the monitoring of CO2 migration along
the wellTakahiro Nakajima, Luchen Wang,
Ziqiu Xue

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22

17

Micro-seismic monitoring data analysis system basedon sequentially discounting autoregressive and its
application to offshore CO2 storage safety operation

Luchen Wang, Tetsuma Toshioka,
Takahiro Nakajima, Akira Narita, Ziqiu
Xue

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22

18

Can we detect CO2 plume by distributed fiber optic
strain measurements?

Yi Zhang, Hyuck Park, Tamotsu
Kiyama, Yankun Sun, Ziqiu Xue

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22

19

Two Dimensional Numerical Simulation of CO2 Injection
Anindityo Patmonoaji, Yi Zhang, Ziqiu
into Brine Saturated Berea Sandstone with Normal
Xue, Tetsuya Suekane
Bubble and Micro Bubble Injection Modules

14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
GHGT-14, Melbourne Australia, 2018/10/22

20

CO2 Storage R&D Priorities in Japan

Research and Innovation Priorities for
CCUS Event, Edinburg, UK, 2018/11/28

Ryozo Tanaka

Oral Presentation (Domestic Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Forum

1

Detection of CO2 bubbles in shallow sea using sidescan sonar (SSS)

Makoto Nishimura, Keisuke Uchimoto,
JPGU Meeting 2018, 2018/05/23
Ziqiu Xue

2

Thresholds of anomalous pCO2 in sea water

Keisuke Uchimoto, Makoto Nishimura,
JPGU Meeting 2018, 2018/05/23
Ziqiu Xue

3

Effective use of drill cuttings analysis for wellsite
geological investigation in the CO2 geological storage:a case study of the Nagaoka site, Japan

Takahiro Nakajima, Takayuki Miyoshi,
Shun Chiyonobu, Ziqiu Xue

JPGU Meeting 2018, 2018/05/23

4

Detection CO2 flooding by optical fiber; Example of along core specimen

Hyuck Park, Yi Zhang, Lanlan Jiang,
Tamotsu Kiyama, Ziqiu Xue

JPGU Meeting 2018, 2018/05/23

5Image well log data analysis to evaluate reservoir
quality: Application to the Nagaoka storage site

Takuma Ito, Takahiro Nakajima,
Takayuki Miyoshi, Shun Chiyonobu,
Ziqiu XueJPGU Meeting 2018, 2018/05/23

6

Application of sequentially discounting autoregressive(SDAR) on seismic event detection for CO2 injection
safety management

Luchen Wang, Tetsuma Toshioka,
Takahiro Nakajima, Akira Narita, Ziqiu
Xue

JPGU Meeting 2018, 2018/05/23

7

The first field experiment of DAS-VSP using fiber optics
deployed inside coiled tubing, onshore Japan

Yuki Kobayashi, Ryohei Naruse, Ziqiu
Xue

JPGU Meeting 2018, 2018/05/23

8

Earthquake events monitoring in a well using OpticalFiber and DAS Technology

Tsunehisa Kimura, Yuki Kobayashi,
Ryohei Naruse, Ziqiu Xue

JPGU Meeting 2018, 2018/05/23

9

Sedimentological approaches for CO2 geologicalmodeling

Yoshinori Yamanouchi, Mizue
Nishimura

JPGU Meeting 2018, 2018/05/23

10

A parallel scheme for accelerating optimization of wellplacement for geologic CO2 storage

Mitsuhiro Miyagi, Hajime Yamamoto,
Yohei Akimoto, Ziqiu Xue

JPGU Meeting 2018, 2018/05/23

11

Study for the mechanism to the effect of improvementof CO2 storage efficiency by micro bubble injection
technology

Utaro Kaito, Masanori Nakano, Ziqiu
Xue

JPGU Meeting 2018, 2018/05/23

12

Classification of pCO2-DO Correlations of Seawater off
Tomakomai

Shunsuke Nishimura, Toru Sato,
Hiroyuki Oyama, Georgios Fytianos,
Keisuke Uchimoto, Koichi Goto

OCEANSʼ18 MTS/IEEE Kobe / TechnoOcean 2018/5/31

13

The investigation on the higher sweep efficiency bymicro-bubble CO2 flooding

Kazunori Nakagawa, Ryo Ueda, Ziqiu
Xue

JAPT 2018 Spring Meeting, 2018/6/13

14

The potential of application of micro bubble technology
to EOR

Ryo Ueda, Utaro Kaito, Kazunori
Nakagawa, Masanori Nakano, Ziqiu
Xue

JAPT 2018 Spring Meeting, 2018/6/13

15

Quality Control Processing of DAS-VSP data with theSurrounding Well Data

Keita Adachi, Yusuke Morishima,
Masanori Tani, Yuki Kobayashi, Ziqiu
Xue

JAPT 2018 Spring Meeting, 2018/06/14

16

The First Field Experiment of DAS-VSP using Fiber
Optics Deployed Inside Coiled Tubing, Onshore Japan

Yuki Kobayashi

JAPT 2018 Spring Meeting, 2018/06/14

66

2018 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

ＲＩＴＥ

Ｔｏｄａｙ

２０１９

CO2 Storage Research Group
Title

Researchers

Forum

17

High speed optimization for well placement

Mitsuhiro Miyagi, Hajime Yamamoto,
Yohei Akimoto, Ziqiu Xue

Japanese Society of Civil Engineers,
2018/08

18

Practical application of optic fiber measurement
technology in rock engineering: subsurface strain
distribution measurement field test

Ziqiu Xue, Tsutomu Hashimoto

MMIJ2018, 2018/09/10

19

International standardization works for CO2 capture,transportation and geological storage (CCS)Atsuko Tanaka

MMIJ2018, 2018/09/10

20

Preliminary study on gravity change related to watertable response to tidal fluctuations

Hiroki Goto, Mitsuhiko Sugihara,
Hiroshi Ikeda, Yuji Nishi

130th Meeting of the Geodetic Society ofJapan,2018/10/16

21

Measurement of major elements in sedimentary rocks
by SEM-EDX for geological applications

Takuma Ito, Atsushi Obuchi, Kazuhiko
Nakano, Tokio Sasai, Ziqiu Xue

54th X-ray analysis conference,
2018/10/25

22

A study of the environmental impact assessment
standard of leaked CO2

Toshihiro Nishimura, Toru Sato,
Hiroyuki Oyama, Keisuke Uchimoto

JASNAOE 2018 Annual Autumn Meeting &Conference, 2018/11/26

Inorganic Membranes Research Center
Oral Presentation
Title

Researchers

Forum

1

Inorganic membranes and the applications

Masahiro Seshimo

I2CNER International Workshops 2018,
Kyushu University, Feb. 02, 20182

Operation of small scale membrane reactors with CVD
sillica membranes for MCH dehydrogenation reaction

Shin-ichi Nakao, Hiromi Urai, Kazuaki
Sasa, Hitoshi Nishino, Ryohei
Numaguchi, Ryoichi Nishida

158th The International Conference on
Inogranic Membranes, Dresden, Jun. 22,
20183

Structural change of CHA-type aluminophosphate
membrane under HF-free synthesis conditions

Masahiro Seshimo,
Hiromasa Fukuda (Waseda Univ.),
Masahiko Matsukata (Waseda Univ.)

The11th conference of the AseanianMembrane Society (AMS11), Brisben, Jul.
04, 2018

4

Effect of gel composition for the HF-free synthesis of
AlPO4-34

Masahiro Seshimo,
Hiromasa Fukuda (Waseda Univ.),
Motomu Sakai (Waseda Univ.),
Masahiko Matsukata (Waseda Univ.)

International Symposium on Zeolites andMicroporous Crystals 2018, Yokohama,Aug. 08, 201867

English2019 Vol.14

2019 Vol.14

2019 Vol.14