English

2020 Vol.15

2020 Vol.15

Anniversary
th 1990 - 2020

30

2020 Vol.15

Foreword

FeatureR&D Activities

On the 30th Anniversary of RITEKey Technologies for
Decarbonization

TopicsKenji Yamaji,
Senior Vice President/
Director-General, RITE

Overview and New Developments
on CO2 Separation and Recovery
Technologies

Outreach Activities
2019 Paper,
Presentation andPublication

2020 Vol.15

ForewordOn the 30th Anniversary of RITE
Kenji Yamaji, Senior Vice President/Director-General, RITE

03

Feature
Key Technologies for Decarbonization:
Overview and New Developments on CO2 Separation and Recovery Technologies

04

Shin-ichi Nakao, Group Leader, Chief Researcher, Chemical Research Group
Keisuke Sugita, Deputy Leader, Chief Researcher, Chemical Research Group
Katsunori Yogo, Associate Chief Researcher, Chemical Research Group
Teruhiko Kai, Senior Researcher, Chemical Research Group
Hidetaka Yamada, Senior Researcher, Chemical Research GroupR&D Activities
Research & Coordination Group

Research and International Business Collaboration for the Social Innovation

12

Research Activities in Systems Analysis Group18

Molecular Microbiology and⃝ Development of Bioreﬁnery Technology 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

36

Inorganic Membranes
Research Center

42

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

Topics 

48

Outreach Activities 

562019 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

58Foreword

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On the 30th Anniversary of RITE

Kenji Yamaji
Senior Vice President/Director-General
Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth(RITE)At the RITE, we will celebrate our 30th anniversary this year. For me personally, the end of this March will
mark the 10th anniversary of my appointment as Director-General of RITE, while last June saw my installation
as Senior Vice President. I would like to take this opportunity to review the past years and consider the role of
RITE.
We were authorized to be established in July 1990, followed by the opening of our ofﬁce on August 1 ofthe same year. In 1993, the construction of our headquarters facility was completed where it is now located(Keihanna Science City). At the G7 summit held in Houston, Texas in the U.S., at the same time RITE wasgiven the go-ahead for its founding, the Japanese government presented New Earth 21 as a long-term strategy to prevent global warming, which suggests that RITE has been established to implement New Earth 21. Incidentally, the name DNE21+, the global energy model developed and managed by the System Analysis
Group, contains the acronym for New Earth 21 (NE21).
In New Earth 21, we were expected to play the role of doing research and development in ﬁelds difﬁcult
to be tackled in the private sector alone, such as separation/capture and treatment/disposal of generated
GHGs, and expansion of sources of CO2 absorption, including plants. For more than a decade after establishment, we were mainly committed to research and development projects commissioned by the New Energy
and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), whose themes included various types of CO2
storage (called “ﬁxation” in those days), including ocean sequestration, desert greening, CO2 capture and effective utilization, plus development of bioreactors, capture and recycling of CFCs, production of hydrogen,and development of biodegradable plastics. We proceeded with these research and development projects as
joint research with universities or in cooperation with private companies. The research on ocean sequestration was suspended due to the London Convention, prohibiting disposal of CO2 at sea. It was around thattime, however, when the technology foundation regarding CO2 capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) andthe bioresearch foundation were established.
In addition, we were also engaged in many other projects to promote technology development, surveys
and research, as well as international interaction, with expenses shared between RITE and companies. One
such survey and research project was one intended to explore how to implement the New Earth 21 strategy,
and actually, I was involved in it. This was the beginning of our assessment of global warming mitigation,
which is today known extensively both at home and abroad.
Since the beginning of this century, we have integrated and reﬁned the research system at our headquarters, gradually reducing research operations commissioned to outside entities. During this time, our social
recognition has greatly increased mainly through the underground storage of 10,000 tons of CO2 in Nagaoka,
and the development of the RITE bioprocess.
When looking back at efforts around the world to combat global warming, we find great progressachieved as if in step with the actions that we have taken over the last 30 years, indicated by the establishment of the Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted at the global summit in 1992, the effectuationof the Kyoto Protocol in 2005 after COP3 in 1997, and the conclusion of the Paris Agreement at COP21 in2015 and its effectuation in 2016.
Last year, Japan submitted to the U.N. its Long-Term Strategy under the Paris Agreement, which indicates that it is necessary to realize a decarbonized society as early as possible in the second half of this century. The key for this lies in various forms of innovation, such as practical implementation of CCUS, including
carbon recycling; production of biomass using microorganisms, and clean and mass utilization of such biomass as resources and fuels; and considerable reduction of energy demand in Society 5.0. RITEʼs mission is
gaining much more signiﬁcance.

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Feature⃝Key Technologies for Decarbonization

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Key Technologies for Decarbonization:
Overview and New Developments on CO2 Separation and Recovery
Technologies
Shin-ichi Nakao, Group Leader, Chief Researcher, Chemical Research Group
Keisuke Sugita, Deputy Leader, Chief Researcher, Chemical Research Group
Katsunori Yogo, Associate Chief Researcher, Chemical Research Group
Teruhiko Kai, Senior Researcher, Chemical Research Group
Hidetaka Yamada, Senior Researcher, Chemical Research Group

1. Introduction

where CO2 is absorbed into an amine compound sup-Following the enforcement of the Paris Agree-

ported on a solid surface, a physical adsorption meth-ment, in order to work on energy conversion and de-od where CO2 is absorbed onto a solid surface, acarbonization with the aim of reducing greenhousemembrane separation method, and a cryogenic sepa-

gases by 80% toward 2050, it is necessary to advance

ration method that liquefies gas mixtures at very low

the development of CO2 separation and capture, effec-

temperatures and separates mixtures using differenc-

tive use, and storage (CCUS) technology that can sig-

es in boiling points. On the other hand, if the capturenificantly reduce the release of CO2 from emission

technology is classified by target gas for thermal powersources into the atmosphere while promoting the re-plants, steelworks blast furnaces, cement plants, andduction of CO2, including the main use of renewablechemical plants as current large-scale CO2 emission

energy.

sources, then the technology can be broadly classified

The cost of separating and capturing CO2 is esti-

into post-combustion, which separates and captures

mated to account for about 60% of the total CCS cost.

CO2 after combustion, and pre-combustion, which sep-

On the other hand, carbon recycling (CCU approach)arates and captures CO2 before combustion.

has been proposed in the carbon recycling technology
roadmap formulated in June 2019. The CCU approach
reduces CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by using it
as the raw material and fuel through mineralization, artificial photosynthesis, and methanation after separation and capture as a resource.
Since CO2 separation and capture will be a common technology in this CCUS approach, it is importantto reduce the costs.
2. Optimal capture methods for CO2 sources1), 2), 3)

Fig. 1. CO2 emission sources and CO2 capture technologies

In the process of the separation and capture of

In post-combustion, CO2 is separated and cap-

CO2, it is necessary to select the most appropriate

tured from flue gas generated from boilers at power

method according to the physical properties of theplants usually at almost atmospheric pressure. Sincepressure and concentration of CO2 from the emission

the exhaust gas pressure is low, and the CO2 concen-

source (Fig. 1). Separation and recovery technologies

tration is low, chemical absorption using a liquid amine

include the following methods: a chemical absorption

compound with high reactivity to CO2, solid absorption

method and a physical absorption method where CO2

using a solid surface supported on a solid surface, andis absorbed into a liquid, a solid absorption method

cryogenic separation can be candidate technologies.

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Fig. 2. Carbon recycling concept
https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/category/others/carbon_recycling/pdf/concept_ja.pdf

The chemical absorption method and the solid absorp-

tion method using a solid surface, and the membranetion method are expected to be lower in cost than theseparation method.

cryogenic separation method, which requires CO2 liquefaction.

In addition, as shown in the carbon recycling concept diagram (Fig. 2), we will introduce technologies

In pre-combustion, CO2 can be removed fromfor capturing CO2 from large-scale sources and tech-steam reforming in chemical plants and from H2, CO,nologies for directly capturing CO2 from the atmo-

and CO2 generated from the partial oxidation of coal,sphere (DAC: Direct Air Capture).

such as the integrated coal gasification combined cycle (IGCC). Since the pressure of the above gases isgenerally high, the physical absorption method, physical adsorption method, and membrane separation

3. Current Status and New Developments of CO2
Capture Technologies
3.1. Chemical Absorption Method

method, which separate CO2 by the pressure differ-

In general, when a gas is dissolved in a liquid, aence, are candidate technologies. In the case of sepa-

case involving a clear change in the chemical bondrating and capturing CO2 from high-pressure gas, thestate is called chemical absorption, while a case with-membrane separation method separates CO2 simply

out a chemical bond state is physical absorption. Sinceby permeating gas resulting in potentially lower energy

CO2 is an acidic gas, it is chemically absorbed by theand lower costs than the physical absorption method

basic material (B). Because the absorption reaction isand the physical adsorption method.

reversible, the CO2 in the mixed gas can be selectively

Based on the above summary, we will outline theabsorbed, and then the reverse reaction is caused bycurrent status and new developments in these technol-

steam heating or other methods (Fig. 3).

ogies, focusing on the chemical absorption method

B + CO2 ⇄ B-COO

where CO2 is absorbed into a liquid, the solid absorp-(1)

Among the CO2 capture methods using chemical

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absorption, the method using an aqueous amine solu-

Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Intion is the most mature technology, which has been

Japan, Toshiba Corp. and IHI Corp. joined this field ofknown since the early 20th century.

development in earnest. After that, CCS was recognized as an effective global warming countermeasuretechnology, which accelerated the R&D of CCS technologies by industry, government, and academia. Unlike the industrial use of captured CO2, CCS does not
generate profits, so significant technological innovationis required to reduce the capture costs. The chemical
absorption method using an aqueous amine solution
has an inherent limit in reducing energy consumption.

Fig. 3 CO2 capture scheme by chemical absorption method

Therefore, other capture methods have been intensely
The combustion exhaust gas has a relatively low

studied. However, the achievements and maturity ofpartial pressure of CO2 and contains O2 as a compo-

the chemical absorption method are still greater thannent. The exhaust gas also contains SOX and NOX as

those of other methods.

minor components. Thus, the difficulty of CO2 capture

In 2014, SaskPower launched the worldʼs firstfrom the gas is higher than that from syngas or naturalcommercial-scale CCS for coal-fired power (Unit #3,

gas. So, full-fledged CO2 capture technology for

Boundary Dam Power Station, Saskatchewan, Cana-

post-combustion was only established in the 1980s.

4)da). The capture process was based on an amine-

This method, which uses monoethanolamine (MEA),

based chemical absorption method (Cansolv, Shell). A

has been a benchmark. As is well known, the MEA

total of about 2 MT was captured at about 3,000 tons ofmethod presents the problems of high energy con-

CO2 per day by which EOR and geological storage

sumption during regeneration (reverse reaction of (1)),

were performed. The subsequent project (Shandcorrosivity, and oxidative degradation of MEA. Then,

study) is focusing on the feasibility of a next-generation

besides improving the MEA method, development,

CCS system using the KM CDR process.6) As men-demonstration, and commercialization of processes

tioned earlier, the KM CDR process is already in oper-

using alternative amines have been actively pursued.

ation at the worldʼs largest capture facility. The com-

In the field of CO2 capture by the chemical absorption

mercial operation started in 2016 in a joint project bymethod, Japan is particularly active.

NRG Energy in the United States and JX Petroleum

In the 1990s, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.,

Corporation in Japan (Petra Nova project).5) In thatand Kansai Electric Power Co., Ltd., jointly began de-time, among 21 large-scale CCS facilities in operation

velopment of the post-MEA method and developed theor under construction, the chemical absorption method

proprietary solvent KS-1 and KM CDR process. Then,

was used in 11 facilities (amine: 8; potassium carbon-

they commercialized the capture of CO2 as a raw ma-

ate: 2), while the physical absorption method was usedterial for urea production from the flue gas generated

in eight facilities, the adsorption method and the mem-by chemical plants and other processes. The two com-brane separation method were used one facility each,panies have also applied their capture technology for

respectively.7) Incidentally, for a high-pressure gas con-enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The worldʼs largest CO2

taining H2S, including natural gas, the physical absorp-

capture process currently in operation is carried out

tion method is often used rather than the chemical ab-with this KM CDR process with a capacity of approxi-

sorption method.

mately 5,000 tons of CO2 per day.

5)

RITE has been developing solvents for chemical

In the 2000s, chemical absorption methods andabsorption since the early 2000s to reduce the cost ofother CO2 capture methods were actively developed in

CCS. In particular, the large-scale search for alterna-

6Feature⃝Key Technologies for Decarbonization

tive amines that include existing amines as well as

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chemisorption.10)

newly synthesized amines is unique in the world, andBy changing the temperature and pressure to de-for that purpose, such new molecular design methods

sorb the adsorbed CO2, the adsorbent can be usedusing computational chemistry have been introduced.

repeatedly. Adsorbents used for special applications

The concept has contributed to the reduction in the en-(such as manned space activities), such as lithium hy-

ergy required for CO2 capture by the chemical absorp-

droxide and silver oxide, are difficult to regenerate attion method. In the project started in 2008 (COURSE

low temperatures and are sometimes discarded after50), RITE developed a new chemical solvent in collab-

being used once.

8)

oration with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corpora-

Adsorptive separation technology is being studied

tion (Current Nippon Steel Corporation) for energy-sav-

as part of a project to significantly reduce the CO2 em-

ing CO2 capture technology from blast furnace gas,anating from blast furnaces in Japan. The COURSE 50

which was adopted by ESCAP (an energy-saving CO2(CO2 Ultimate Reduction in Steelmaking process byabsorption process commercialized in 2014). The CO2

innovative technologies for Cool Earth 50) project

captured from this process in steel-making and power

funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology

plants in Japan is used in the food and chemical indus-

Development Organization (NEDO) is led by the Japan9)tries.

Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) in collaboration with

The chemical absorption method has evolved

six major steel and related companies, which has led

steadily and has been put to practical use in CCS. In

to the development of environmentally benign steel-order to reduce the costs, the research and develop-

making technologies, including CO2 capture. JFE Steelment aimed at improving processes, reducing renew-

Corporation developed a CO2 adsorption and separa-able energy and improving the durability of solvents istion process by physical adsorption using zeolite. A

still actively pursued. RITE is also conducting further

bench scale test facility with a processing capacity of 3

research and development such as the application oftons of CO2 per day was constructed, and the CO2 sep-

the noble solvent to achieve the maximum reduction ofaration performance from actual blast furnace gas was

separation energy.

evaluated, and gas pretreatment methods and cost reduction methods were studied. The facility demonstrat-

3.2. Solid absorption method

ed that the purity and recovery of CO2 by zeolites was

The method of separating CO2 by reacting with

> 90% and 80%, respectively, with capture energy

solid materials means the equipment is easy to oper-(vacuum pump power) of 200 kWh/ton-CO2, or lessate, start up, and shut down, and the process does not

was achieved.11) However, zeolites adsorb H2O vapor

require large amounts of waste liquid treatment. There-

more strongly than CO2, so CO2 capture in the pres-fore, if a chemically stable, high performance CO2, ab-ence of H2O vapor using this adsorption method re-sorbing material is developed, significant cost reduc-quires a dehumidification step that consumes large

tions can be expected.

amounts of energy.

The adsorption phenomena include weak physicalOn the other hand, many reports have been pub-adsorption from the van der Waals force and strong

lished on amine-modified solid absorbents, such as

chemical adsorption from the chemical bonding. Zeo-silica supported on polyethylenimine as H2O-resistantlite and activated carbon are mainly used in the physi-

adsorbents. In the United States, the National Energy

cal adsorption of CO2, and in recent years, metal or-

Technology Laboratory (NETL) of the United States

ganic frameworks (MOF) have also attracted attention.

Department of Energy (DOE) has been developing a

On the other hand, alkali metal-supported activatedsolid sorbent material that supports amines on clay

carbon, silica modified with amines, hydrotalcite, calci-

minerals.12) The solid sorbent is a solid material whereum oxide, and lithium silicate have been used foramine, a chemical absorbent, is supported on a porous

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surface (Fig. 4). Unlike the adsorption phenomenon

In addition, Shell is working with the Vienna Uni-

where the substance accumulates at the interface be-versity of Technology to develop a TSA process withtween the two phases, this is called a solid sorbent be-solid absorbents for CO2 capture from flue gas. So far,cause it involves the migration of CO2 into the amine

using a fluidized bed test device (50 kg/day), it hasphase.

been confirmed that the CO2, recovery rate is 90% andenergy reduction is 40% compared to the MEA absorption solution method. From 2018, a pilot test of 1 ton of
CO2 per day has been promoted as the Vienna Green
CO2 project in Austria. (The target is biomass power
generation.)
For materials other than amine-based materials,
Fig. 4. Conceptual diagram of solid sorbents

CO2, capture technology using alkali metal carbonates
is being studied by Korea Electric Power Corporation

By supporting the amine on the porous support,(KEPCO).15) A process to capture CO2 in a TSA pro-the energy loss (sensible heat and latent heat for heat-cess using a fluidized bed with a material supportinging water) required for CO2 desorption is lower than inpotassium carbonate is being studied. Practical appli-

the scrubbing chemical absorption method used as an

cation tests have already been conducted on a scale ofaqueous solution. In addition, the advantage is that theabout 200 tons of CO2 per day, equivalent to 10 MW. A

loss of the absorbing solution from evaporation in the

680-hour continuous test was performed with an 80%

regenerating step is small, and the corrosiveness ofrecovery rate. It was reported that the regeneration

the device is low. It has been estimated that the energy

temperature of the sorbent was 140°
C to 200°
C andrequirement for CO2, capture can be reduced to 1.8

the energy recovered was 5 GJ/ton-CO2.16)

GJ/t-CO2, by applying a polyethylenimine (PEI) basedsolid sorbent for the moving bed or fluidized bed.13)

In addition to the above, the application of solid
sorbents to lower-concentration CO2 emission sourc-

In the United States, various solid absorbents

es, such as removal of CO2 in enclosed spaces, such

have been studied on a bench-to-pilot scale using

as indoors and space, and direct air capture (DAC)

DOE funds. In a pilot plant test (approximately 20 tons

from air is also being considered (Fig. 5). Climeworks

of CO2 per day) using a commercially available poly-in Switzerland, a global pioneer in this technology, has

amine conducted by ADA-ES Inc., recovery energy ofcommercialized a DAC device that uses an amine-load-

C was
2.8 GJ/t-CO2, was reported using steam at 120°ed solid absorbent. Desorption is performed using thereported using In addition, SRI Intʼl conducted a benchwaste heat of an incinerator that can use waste heat at

plant test of a temperature swing adsorption (TSA) test100°
C or higher, and it is assumed that the captured

using a circulating fluidized bed of about 200 kg perday. The CO2 capture cost is reported to be $ 39.7/tonCO2 ($68/ton-CO2 for the liquid absorbent).14) TDA Researchʼs alkalized aluminum sorbent has also beentested on a pilot scale. The company developed an inexpensive alkalized alumina adsorbent with extremely
low heat of reaction and a CO2, capture process specifically designed for this adsorbent, a unique process foradsorption and regeneration under near-isothermal
conditions. Pilot tests have been conducted at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC).

Fig. 5. Conceptual diagram of DAC

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Feature⃝Key Technologies for Decarbonization

CO2 will be supplied to a greenhouse to promote the

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for the membrane materials selectively permeates.

growth of vegetables and fruits. If the capture unit is

The advantages of membrane separation are theinstalled in three layers, a site of 20 m is required, andcompact process (because of continuous operation

the amount of CO2 capture is 150 tons of CO2 per year.

without regeneration step) and, in the case of the

In the United States, Carbon Engineering is conducting

high-pressure application, low cost and low energy re-pilot testing, and several companies are studying DAC,

quired compared with other separation techniques. On

but these systems have been shown to be extremely

the other hand, membrane separation is a relatively

expensive as the state of the art. At the current state of

new technology, and R&D for CO2 separation for CCS

the art, the size of the absorber is extremely large, so

is delayed compared with absorption and adsorption.

the cost of capture is estimated to be at least $100/ton-

So far, the projects for membrane separation for CCS

CO2. However, it is said that it does not require a large

are limited to the relatively small scale from the labora-

land area compared to biomass-based CCS.

tory to bench scale. Various novel membrane materials

2

RITE has been conducting research on the practi-

have been developed, such as polymeric membranes,

cal application of CO2 capture technology from coal-

inorganic membranes, organic/inorganic hybrid mem-

fired power plants using solid sorbents in a project

branes, and facilitated transport membranes.17)

commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade andFor post-combustion, since the feed gas is

Industry since FY 2010 (NEDO project from FY 2018).

low-pressure gas, either the compressor or vacuum

Until now, we have successfully developed a new solid

pump is needed, and it is difficult to reduce the separa-sorbent that offers excellent CO2 desorption perfor-tion cost and energy significantly compared with exist-

mance and a high absorption capacity. Based on thising technologies. In post-combustion, it is more import-

technology, a solid sorbent has been manufactured at

ant to increase CO2 permeance than to increase thea scale of 10 m and confirmed at 7.2 tons of CO2 per

separation factor for the reduction of separation cost

day as the scale of recovery performance on a moving

and energy, since the high CO2 permeance reduces

bed system bench scale apparatus of Kawasaki Heavy

the cost of the membrane. Numerous reports haveIndustries, Ltd. Currently, R&D is underway to estab-been published on basic research in the development

lish a higher performance solid sorbent system suit-of membranes; however, there are few pilot-scale fieldable for CO2 separation and capture from coal-fired

tests on post-combustion. Since there is a limitation in

power plants by the 2020s. At the same time, the pos-

the recovery rate and purity of the permeate using

sibility is being studied of applying the process to low-membrane separation alone, an increasing number of

er-concentration CO2 emission sources, such as cap-

research studies have been conducted on the hybrid

ture from enclosed indoors spaces and the atmosphere.

process composed of membrane separation and other3

separation techniques. Air Liquide is developing a hy3.3. Membrane separationbrid process using cold membranes and liquefaction.17)

CO2 separation by membranes is conducted by

Their process will concentrate CO2 from 12% to more

selective permeation of CO2 from the pressure differ-than 58% on the cold membrane and recover CO2 atence between the feed side and the permeate side of
the membrane. Two major membrane separation
mechanisms are 1) the molecular sieving mechanismand 2) the solution-diffusion mechanism (Fig. 6).
In the molecular sieving mechanism, small gas
molecules smaller than the pore size of the membranes permeate selectively. On the other hand, in thesolution-diffusion mechanism, the gas with an affinity

Fig. 5. Conceptual diagram of DAC

9Feature⃝Key Technologies for Decarbonization

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more than 95% using liquefaction. They have conduct-

at high pressure and can be introduced into the IGCC

ed bench scale field tests (6.5 tons of CO2 per day) at

gas turbine without recompression. In practical appli-

NCCC.

cations, MGMTRA is developing membranes with a

TDA Research is developing a hybrid systemlarge membrane area using the continuous mem-composed of membranes (MTR) and adsorption (TDA

brane-forming method and developing membrane ele-

Research) and will conduct field tests at CO2 Technol-

ments.

ogy Centre Mongstad (TCM) in Norway.

17)

MTR is developing a hybrid system composed of

4. Conclusion 1)

membranes and liquefaction, and they have conducted

Since CO2 separation and capture will be a com-field tests (20 tons of CO2 per day) at NCCC.15 Theymon technology in this CCUS approach, it is important

plan to conduct pilot-scale field tests (200 tons of CO2

to reduce the cost of CO2 separation and capture.

per day) at the Wyoming Integrated Test Center(WITC).

In this report, we outlined CO2 separation and capture technologies that are more suitable to post-com-

In the case of pre-combustion, it is possible tobustion, which separates and captures CO2 after com-

separate CO2 at low cost and energy, since the feedbustion, and pre-combustion, which separates andgas is high-pressure gas, and a vacuum pump is not

captures CO2 before combustion, separately.

needed for the membrane process. On the other hand,

In post-combustion, since the treated gas is at low

the membrane must be durable for high temperaturepressure, chemical absorption and solid absorption us-

and high pressure. In pre-combustion, the mixture ofing amine compounds of high reactivity to CO2 are su-

CO2 and H2 is separated. Since the molecular size of

perior in cost. With the chemical absorption method,

H2 is smaller than that of CO2, most membrane materi-many systems have been developed in order to reduce

als are H2 selective, and with a few exceptions, R&D

the cost based on systems using monoethanolamine

has been conducted using H2 selective membranes.

(MEA). Although each commercial CO2 separation

In basic research, thermally stable materials (e.g.,plant has been operated in the Boundary Dam Project,hollow fiber carbon membranes, organic/inorganic hy-

the Petra Nova Project, and the COURSE 50 Project,brid membranes containing palladium nanoparticles,

further cost reductions are needed to disseminate theand thermally stable glassy polymeric membranes)

practical use of CCS.

serve as the novel membrane materials. The MTR pro-

Significant cost reductions are expected for the

posed hybrid process uses H2 selective membranes

solid-state absorption method, whose method makes it(N2 as sweep gas), liquefaction, and CO2 selective

easy to operate, start up, and shut down the equipment

membranes, and the company plans bench-scale fieldand does not require large amounts of waste liquid

tests at NCCC. In addition, they are modifying the com-treatment and water. In addition, the application of sol-ponent parts of the membrane elements (e.g., spac-

id sorbents to lower-concentration CO2 emission

ers).

17)

sources, such as removal of CO2 in enclosed indoor

The Molecular Gate Membrane module Technolo-

and other spaces, and direct air capture (DAC) from air

gy Research Association (MGMTRA; consists of RITE

is also expected.

and a private company) is developing molecular gate

On the other hand, for pre-combustion, since themembranes (novel CO2 selective membranes) andtreated gas is usually high pressure, the separation

membrane elements, mainly for pre-combustion, in themembrane method that can also utilize affinity withMETI Project (FY 2011-2018) and the NEDO projectCO2 is considered the most advantageous with regard(FY 2018-). Unlike conventional CO2 selective mem-to cost. At present, membrane evaluations by real gas

branes, molecular gate membranes show exceptional-

and the development of membrane systems are inly high CO2 separation over H2. As a result, H2 is kept

progress.

10Feature⃝Key Technologies for Decarbonization

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In order to spread CCUS widely, promoting innovative technology development and proposing CO2
separation and capture technology at lower energy
and lower cost, as well as to implement measures toprovide incentives to private companies and introduce
regulations on CO2 emission standards, feed-in tariffs,
and carbon taxes, are considered necessary.
References
1) New development of CCS technologies, Supervisor Yoichi Kaya,

Edited by RITE, Earth CMC Publishing Co. Ltd. （First Printing Issue on Nov. 30th in 2011）.

2) JST Panoramic View of the Energy Field (2017)／CRDS-FY2016FR-02 （March in 2017）.

3) Report on the feasibility of the JCM based on the shuttle ship CCS
approach, Mizuho Information & Research Institute, Inc., AIST,CHIYODA Corporation （March in 2014）.

4) Oko et al., Int. J. Coal Sci. Technol., 4, 5-14 (2017).
5) Hirata et al, MHI Tech. Rev., 55, 42-47 (2018).

6) Bruce, 2019 Carbon Capture, Utilization, Storage, and Oil and Gas
Technologies Integrated Review Meeting (2019).

7) Sasaki, Kagakukogaku, 79, 826-830 (2015).

8) Nakao et al., Advanced CO2 Capture Technologies, Springer(2019).

9) https://www.eng.nipponsteel.com/

10) S.Choi et al., ChemSusChem 2009, 2, 796.

11) H. Saima et al., JFE Tech. Rep., 32, 44 (2013).

12) R. V. Sirwardane, U.S. Patent 6,908,497 B1 (2005).
13) J.S.Hoffman et al., Proc. the 33rd International Technical Conference on Coal Utilization & Fuel Systems, June 1-5 (2008), Clearwater, Florida, USA.
14) Nelson, T., et al., 2014 NETL CO2 Capture Technology Meeting,Pittsburgh PA, USA (July in 2014) .

15) Y. C. Parka et al., Energy Procedia 37 (2013) 122.
16) Park, Y. -C., et al., Energy Procedia, 63 (2014) 2261-2265.

17) Proceedings of 2019 Carbon Capture, Utilization, Storage, andOil and Gas Technologies Integrated Review Meeting (2019),
https://netl.doe.gov/node/9041.

11

R&D Activities⃝Research & Coordination Group

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Research & Coordination Group

Hiroyasu Horio
Group Leader,
Chief Researcher

Makoto Nomura, Deputy Group Leader,
Chief Researcher
Yoshifumi Kawaguchi, Deputy Group
LeaderTakayuki Higashii, Chief Researcher
Yasuaki Minoura, Manager
Yoshinori Aoki, Manager, Associate Chief
Researcher
Tetsuya Deguchi, Associate Chief
Researcher
Taizo Uchimura, Associate Chief
Researcher

Jun-ichi Shimizu, Associate Chief
Researcher
Haruo Kanaboshi, Planning Manager
Daisuke Omoya, Vice Manager
Sou Kuranaka, Vice Manager
Yuka Matsugu, Chief
Naoko Onishi
Yumi Kobayashi
Nami Tatsumi
Natsuko YasumotoResearch and International Business Collaboration for the Social Innovation
1. Global environment and the economy

1.2. Innovation and the mission of RITEThe Research and Coordination Group aims to i)

With the growing international debate on the issue

searching for new research topics that enhance the re-of global warming, recognition of “balancing the global

search potential of RITE, proposing and implementing

environment and the economy” has been increasing as

new research themes, ii) government support for the

a common goal for both industrialized and developing

relation with international organizations such as IPCC

countries. In 1990, RITE was established under this(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), ISOmission, with the aim of realizing innovation through(International Standard Organization), iv) practical ap-

innovative environmental technology development

plication of technology through industrial collaborative(Fig. 1) to reduce costs and inefficiencies and promote

R&D, together with the research groups/center. Thesesustainable growth. In the last 30 years and the future,

efforts lead to a creation of new policy implementation,

RITE will continue its activities under the mission of

R&D and innovation aiming at the global environment

R&D and the industrial use of R&D results with theand the economy.

growth of civil society and the economy.

1.1. Expectations for innovation
In 2019, Japan hosted the 14th Summit Meeting of
the 20 Countries and Regions (G20 Summit) in Osaka.
Here, the concept of a virtuous cycle of environmentand growth and the innovation were discussed. The
urgency of global initiatives including climate change,
the importance of long-term strategies, and specific action initiatives was agreed for the first time throughout
the G20 countries. RITE has been studied and promoted the R&D in the field of global environment technologies such as Hydrogen, CC(U)S, Carbon Recycling
and Biotechnology.

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

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R&D Activities⃝Research & Coordination Group

2. Social systems for innovation:

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2.1. Commercialization of CCS

A social & commercial study for the implementation of CO2 capture and storage technology

On the 5th Strategic Energy Plan (2018) as animportant measure against climate change, Japan is

CCS (Carbon Dioxide Capture & Storage) tech-steadily promoting R&D for the commercialization of

nology, which separates and captures CO2 from large-

CCS, collaborating with international organizations,scale sources such as power plants and factories, andand demonstrations. CCS system is a large-scale

stores underground, is a negative emission technolo-

infrastructure deployed on the national land scale, andgy. The planning, construction, and operation of 51

consists of (1) separation and capture of CO2 sources,

large-scale CCS projects (as of October 2019) are be-(2) transport to storage sites, injection and sequestra-ing promoted in the world. Every year approximately

tion, and (3) safety and environmental monitoring.

40 million tons of CO2 are stored. CCS technology has

Therefore, it is essential for CCS to ensure technicalbeen expected as a “bridge technology” for a decar-

perfection, lower business costs, and social accep-

bonized society. IEA expected that the CO2 reduction

tance.

effect of CCS technology would be 9% by 2050 to reduce global temperature rise to less than 2℃ (Fig. 2).

2.2. Risk Reduction for Commercialization
It is essential to reduce various management
uncertainties such as risks to safety and the environment, technology and commercial profits. It is also necessary to increase business experience in various aspects, such as private funding, participation ofmanagement entities, local acceptance and facility
meintenance. In particular, (1) the impact on health,safety and the environment due to CO2 leakage in sep-

CCUS: Carbon dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage
Source: World Energy Outlook 2019(IEA)

Fig. 2: Estimated CO2 reduction by CC(U)S technology

aration and fixing, transportation, and storage, (2) responsibility after the abolition of storage wells and theircosts, (3) business inheritance if CCS operator withdraws for any reason, (4) When a part of the CCS system stops due to a failure or the like, the impact on the
upstream and downstream areas are important (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3: Major risk categories in CCS prejects

13

R&D Activities⃝Research & Coordination Group

The CCS business risks can be categorized into

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2.4. CCS business models in Japansafety and operation area. If the risks and uncertainties

In the business model study, CCS was assumed

are not negligible compared to the profits obtained

to be installed in existing coal-fired power generationfrom the CCS project, the participation of private enter-

plants. The CCS cost (the total cost of equipment andprises and funds cannot be expected, and therefore, it

operation costs) was calculated. Consolication ofis necessary to be owned and operated by the govern-

collection facilities, transportation routes, and storage

ment. There is a possibility that the investment funds

facilities is not considered, and CCS costs were com-cannot be recovered and a possibility of having to takepared about two cases pipeline and ship transporta-

very long-term responsibility after the closure of thetion.

storage sites. This study suggests that many of these

Since the calculation was based on the CCS costmanagement risks require the development of social

for each unit, the result was that the equipment config-

frameworks, including institutional aspects.

uration of the entire project had many redundant equipment and was inefficient. In the pipeline transportation,

2.3. Leading projects for faster social implementation
This analysis includes an assumption of thethe transportation cost was large because the pipeline
was set for each unit.

amount of CCS in Japan in 2050. In order to estimate

Achieving large CO2 reduction targets in 2050,

the CCS facility scale and investment amount, coal-including zero emissions is a universal goal. For thisfired power generation, which accounts for about half

purpose, it is effective to carry out easy-to-work pro-of the CO2 emissions of the energy sector (540 million

jects (“low hanging fruits” projects) in parallel with tech-tCO2 / year in 2013), was selected as a potential emis-

nological development. This implementation is expect-sion source. For estimation, three scenarios were set

ed to increase the experience while achieving CCS

for CO2 sequestration in 2050, high (250 million tCO2 /cost reduction by the learning effects. The analysisyear), middle (100 million tCO2 / year), and low (0.2-0.3

concluded that starting from the lower case and aiming

billion tCO2 / year).

for the middle case introduction with 2020-30 as the
run-up period is most effective (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4 : CCS Implementation Scenarios toward 2050

14

R&D Activities⃝Research & Coordination Group

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3. Promotion of international partnership3.1. IPCC
IPCC

3.2. ISO(Intergovernmental

Panel

on

ClimateISO (International Standard Organization) is an

Change) has established in 1988 with a view to con-organization composed of 162 standardization bodies

ducting a comprehensive assessment from a scientific,

of various countries. CCS is one of the important op-

technical and socioeconomic standpoint on climate

tions for global warming countermeasures because itchange, impact, adaptation and mitigation measures

has a great effect of reducing CO2 emissions into theby anthropogenic sources, the United Nations Environ-atmosphere. In the world, a number of CCS verification

ment Program (UNEP), and by the World Meteorologi-

projects on a commercial scale are also implemented,

cal Organization (WMO).

and international collaboration is under way. The inter-

IPCC examines scientific knowledge on global

national standard plays an important role, contributing

warming with three WGs, a global warming prediction

to the widespread use of safe and appropriate CCS(WG1), influence and adaptation (WG2), mitigation

technology.

measures (WG3).

RITE is a domestic deliberation organization on

RITE plays the central role of domestic support

ISO/TC265 (collection, transportation, and storage ofsecretariat of mitigation measures (WG 3) (Fig. 5). This

CO2) and is in charge of a secretariat of WG 1 (collec-

outcome is to have a high influence on internationaltion). Through these activities, we are conducting inter-negotiations because the scientific basis is also given

national standardization on design, construction, oper-

to the policies of each country. IPCC published theation, environmental planning and management, risk

special report ʻGlobal Warming of 1.5℃ʼ, ʻClimate

management, quantification, monitoring and verifica-

Change and Landʼ, ʻThe Ocean and Cryosphere in ation, and related activities in the CCS field through in-

Changing Climateʼ from 2018 to 2019. For 2022 ʻAR6

ternational standardization (Fig. 6).

Synthesis Reportʼ has been steadily prepared in the

As of the end of 2019, eight standards related to

IPCC global researcher network. The report is expect-

the CCS field have been published from ISO/TC265,

ed to be a source of knowledge on climate change, its

and seven are under development. Of the standards

causes, potential impacts and response options.

under development, two in the CO2 collection and storage fields are being developed by Japan.

Fig. 5 : Committee Structure and RITE

Fig. 6 : ISO/TC265 Structure15

R&D Activities⃝Research & Coordination Group

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4. Human development and industry collaboration
4.1. Human development<Elementary and high school students>

4.2. Intellectual property and industry collaboration

RITE promotes extracurricular learning using re-

RITE acquires and manages intellectual property

search facilities for elementary, junior high and highrights such as patents and know-how strategically andschool students. And RITE also welcomes teachingefficiently on results obtained in R&D. As of the end of

requests where staff members visit schools using

2019, the patents owned by RITE are 119 domestic

teaching materials and equipment. Such demands forrights (12 of which are licensed to companies) and 54

human development are growing year by year. In 2019,

foreign. RITE has established an IP management

we held classes and workshops for a total of 397 stu-

Committee and operates it with intellectual property

dents. For example, we picked up CCS technology

experts (Fig. 8).

from RITEʼs research and explained the global warm-

In order to develop academic research, it is im-

ing mechanism. We are conducting activities based on

portant to create knowledge as a public property of thethe learning cycle such as deepening understanding

world by publishing research papers. In addition, we

through discussion and exchange of views (Fig. 7a).

have patented inventions of researchersʼ creation and<University / Postgraduate student>

granted licenses to challenging enterprises. As a re-

RITE is promoting collaboration of education withsult, it is possible to accelerate industrialization anduniversities as part of human development supporting

simultaneously promote public interest and innovation

the next research and technology. We are accepting

as a public research institution. Intellectual property

young talented people, mainly graduate students, tobrings up opportunities to cooperate with industries. It

the research site. Here, we are developing education

is expected that a virtuous circle is created based onat the university and research guidance at the labora-

appropriate information management and contracts totory (Fig. 7b). RITE established a university collabora-

create further intellectual property. It is also expected

tive laboratory in the field of bioscience with Nara Insti-

that the aspect of the intellectual property that enables

tute of Science and Technology. Here we are conducting

related technologies to be used to support standards,

research and education aimed at realizing a recycling-such as collaboration with international standards

type and low-carbon society by using renewable re-(such as section 3.2). Based on the market and othersources effectively using biomass as a raw material.

research and development trends, RITE promotes intellectual property strategically.

Knowledge

Study
Cycle

Understanding

ReserchLeader

Tutor

ReserchTaineeStudent

Fig. 7 : RITE and Environment Education (Primary, Middle and Higher Education)

16

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3） GCCSI: Global Status of CCS / Targeting climate change (2019)

5. 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) Sus-

4） IEA, CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion, IEA data service
sub-scriptions(2018)5） IEA, World Energy Outlook (2019)7） IPCC, “AR5 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2014” (2014)8） IPCC, “Summary for Policymakers of IPCC Special Report on
Global Warming of 1.5 ℃ approved by governments” (2018)

tainable growth through innovation and achievement of9） IPCC, Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (2005)

the Paris Agreement, ii) Systems and policies to create10） Copeland, B and Taylor, S Trade and Environment: Theory andinnovation, 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 environment are added by realizing a new society and life,
rather than a accumulation of partial improvement byreplacing old technology with new technology. The
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”.

Evidence, Princeton University Press(2003)

 earson, Economics and the Global Environment, Cambridge
11） P
University Press(2000)12) Global Warming Countermeasures Promotion Headquarters,“Long-term Strategy as a Growth Strategy Based on the Paris
Agreement (Cabinet Decision)” (2019)13) Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, “Fifth Energy BasicPlan” (2018)14) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, “CCS Demonstration
and Investigation Committee for Experts” (2018)15) Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, “Roadmap for Carbon
Recycling Technology” (2019)16) Koichi Ogawa “Open & Close Strategy (Supplemental Edition)”
Shoeisha (2014)17) Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Science and Technology Policy Bureau, “Current Status of Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration and Intellectual Property Policy (Science and Technology Council)” (2013)18) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, “Annual Report on En-

Referenceergy in FY2018” (2019)

1) RITE, “The Role of RITE”(http://www.rite.or.jp/about/)2) OECD, “Air and climate: Greenhouse gas emissions by source”,20) Ministry of the Environment, “White Paper on Environment, Recycling-based Society, White Paper on Biodiversity” (2019)

OECD Environment Statistics (database https://doi.org/10.1787/
data-00594-en.)(2019)

Fig. 8 : Strategic IP management and Industrial collaboration17

R&D Activities⃝Systems Analysis Group

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Systems Analysis Group

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

Keii Gi, Senior Researcher
Atsuko Fushimi, Senior Researcher
Nan Wang, Researcher
Shuning Chen, Researcher
Yuko Nakano, Researcher
Hitotsugu Masuda, Researcher
Kiyomi Yamamoto, Assistant Researcher
Misako Saito, Assistant Researcher
Kiyomi Kitamura, Assistant Researcher
Sachiko Kudo, Assistant Researcher
Naoko Onishi, Assistant Researcher(concurrent)

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

bonized society” as the ultimate goal and aims to ac-able information about response measures to global

complish it ambitiously as early as possible in the sec-

warming and energy issues through systemic ap-

ond half of this century.

proaches and analyses. We present here the out-

Meanwhile, the global temperature continues ris-

comes of the analyses that our group has been con-ing and so the global GHG emissions. Some of devel-

ducting for future scenarios with regard to the counter-

oped countries show decreasing trends of CO2 emis-

measure strategies for decarbonization based onsions and electricity consumption despite their GDP

systemic understanding of the current status.

growths, indicating the decoupling trend between thegrowths of the two. However, structurally the global

1. Understanding of internal and external status
The Paris Agreement states that the long-termemissions have never decreased, and especially thestrong positive correlations have been observed be-goal is to keep a global temperature rise well below 2

tween the world GDP and electricity consumption. De-

above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to lim-

veloped countries have been transferring energy inten-

it the temperature increase even further to 1.5℃, andsive industries abroad and shifting to less energy

therefore it aims to achieve net zero emission of global

intensive industries such as services. Our group has

greenhouse gas in the second-half of this century. For

been working to grasp such trends through estimation

the 1.5℃ target, the Special Report on Global Warm-of consumption-based CO2 emissions and their factor

ing of 1.5℃ (SR15) of the International Panel on Cli-

analysis3).

mate Change (IPCC) indicates that the global CO2

All of the world countries need to seek in coopera-

emissions will be required to be net zero around 20501).

tion to reduce emissions in light of the nature of the

The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5)2) showed aglobal warming. However, IPCC and other reports

nearly linear relationship between cumulative CO2

show extremely high costs required for the achieve-

emissions and temperature change. Therefore, in or-

ment of the 2/1.5℃ targets or nearly zero-emissions.

der to stabilize temperature, global net CO2 emissions

SR15, for example, estimates 45-1050 US$/tCO2 (theare required to be nearly zero after the stabilization re-median is 130 US$/tCO2) for 2℃ and 245-14300 US$/gardless of the temperature level. In recent years, thetCO2 (the median is 2800 US$/tCO2) for below 1.5℃

movement toward long-term net zero carbon emis-

even in the case of uniform marginal abatement costs

sions (decarbonization) is rising. In the Long-term

across countries1). These high costs are not consid-

Strategy under the Paris Agreement that the Japaneseered to be acceptable in the real world given the diffi-

government formulated in 2019 proclaims a “decar-

culty in international cooperation and the industry leak-18

R&D Activities⃝Systems Analysis Group

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2.1. Renewable energyage.
In this circumstance, it is innovation that plays an

Renewable energy has been recognized as one ofimportant role as highlighted in the Long-term Strategy

the most important options in the decarbonization

under the Paris Agreement. Yet, some desirable pro-strategy for the prevention of global warming. Whengresses are observed; substantial cost reduction of

final energy is categorized as electricity and non-elec-

solar power and remarkable development of ICT, en-tricity, electricity can be decarbonized by increasing theabling low cost storage and processing of huge

portion of non-fossil electricity such as renewable andamounts of data. Such technological progresses andnuclear power.

signaling social changes will possibly make new com-

Recently, the cost of renewable energy, especiallybinations to create technological and social innova-

wind power and solar power, has fallen rapidly in Ja-

tions.

pan and overseas. For example, in the United Arab

Large uncertainties still exist in climate change im-

Emirates, there have been examples of solar powerpacts, international politics etc. Innovations play im-

projects at around ¥3/kWh. However, this renewableportant roles for sure, but all the technological attempts

electricity is variable renewable energy (VRE). The

may not succeed. Conversely, technological innova-

massive introduction of this intermittent electricity

tions may take place unexpectedly. Required is theneeds additional costs for system stabilization, such as

strategy of comprehensive risk management, aiming at

backup power supply, batteries, and hydrogen to en-

long-term decarbonization.

sure reliable electricity provision.

2. Technological progress toward low/de-carbonization

2.2. Hydrogen technology / CCUS

Final energy needs to be supplied essentially byHydrogen technologies also play an essential role

carbon free electricity or hydrogen for the decarboniza-

in deep decarbonization. Coal/lignite gasification withtion of energy system. Direct heating from solar ther-

CCS and water electrolysis by renewable electricity

mal or bioenergy, and methane generated by methan-have been expected as the promising CO2-free hydro-

ation of captured carbon dioxide with CO2-free

gen production method. Figure 1 indicates that ulti-

hydrogen can be partially used. The captured carbon

mately, hydrogen is also often converted into electricity

dioxide plays as a hydrogen carrier, and CO2 emis-

by fuel cells. Hydrogen should be regarded as a com-

sions are practically reduced by replacing natural gas

plementary instrument in the dominant electrification

by carbon free hydrogen. Methanation has an advan-

trend toward decarbonization rather than an alternative

tage in utilizing the existing natural gas infrastructure.

to electricity.

As shown in the IPCC reports

1, 4)

and many other stud-ies, the greater CO2 emissions reduction requires thehigher electrification rate.
Obviously decarbonization in electricity and hydrogen production with renewables, nuclear and CCS
is necessary.
It is not realistic to eliminate hydrocarbons completely, so a certain amount of emissions can be tolerated even for net zero emissions. Negative emission
technologies, such as afforestation, bioenergy plus

Figure 1 : Electricity and hydrogen system in decarbonization

CCS (BECCS), and direct air capture and storage(DACS) could be technological options and are well

2.3. Possibility of sharing economy induced by IoT

worth considering from the aspect of cost-effective-

progress

ness and others.

CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Sharing/Service, Electric) has become the major direction in the19

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transportation sector. Therefore, new business models

by year 2050 (assumption: -80% for G7 countries) of

can be created by shifting from owning private cars to-

the global warming mitigation plan was conducted. In

ward Mobility as Service (MaaS). The occupancy rate

terms of the 2°
C scenarios, two types of emissionof private cars is usually below 5%. Benefiting from theroutes were analyzed: one was a probability >50%

synergistic effect of these technologies, mobility ser-(equivalent to the 2DS of the IEA ETP scenario and thevices can be provided efficiently, at low cost, and with-

global GHG emissions were approx. -40% in 2050)

out greatly impairing convenience. The deployment ofand the other was a probability >66% (equivalent to thefully autonomous vehicles can help to induce car-shar-

B2DS and the global GHG emissions were approx.

ing and ride-sharing, which will increase vehicle utiliza--70% in 2050). Furthermore, scenarios which include

tion, reduce the number of vehicles. In this way, thethe trends stated at the above section 2 were devel-use of steel and chemical products can be greatly re-oped. Specifically, a case that photovoltaic power cost

duced. Even if the initial investment is high, the electric

continues to fall, especially in the Middle East andvehicle (EV) can be economically feasible due to theNorth Africa, and a large potential supply would be

increase in the occupancy rate. Particularly, in the end-

possible at the cost of approx. ¥2-4/kWh in 2050 anduse sector, energy is usually consumed more than thethe other case that autonomous vehicle implementa-

products and services that are really needed. Techno-tion after 2030 which increases car-sharing andlogical and social innovation can be expected throughride-shaning and decreases demands for steel andthe development and deployment of technologies suchchemical products have been also evaluated. For theas ICT and AI.

socioeconomic scenario, ʻMiddle of the Roadʼ SSP2 of

However, it should be noted that GHG emissions
may also increase due to improved convenience.

Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) was used.
The world population is expected to reach 9.2 billion in
2050 and the average growth rate of world GDP be-

3. Assessment by global energy and climate model
3.1. Model description
We make an assessment by using our global en-

tween 2000 and 2050 will be 2.4% / yr.
Table 1 : Model analysis scenarios

ergy systems model (DNE21+: Dynamic New Earth21+). The DNE21+ can make an assessment until
2100, with 54 regions (in which countries with a large
area are divided into further small regions, making a
total of 77 regions). Technologies not only in energy
supply side but also in energy demand side are modeled in a bottom-up way, in which 400 technologies canbe assessed. The model has been improved, especially while net zero emissions are required, a wider variety of options than ever before is being modeled in

Note: 2DS and B2DS are equivalent to the 2°C scenarios of theIEA ETP2017

detail. For example, in 2019, as for international marine bunker sector, we modeled related technologies in

3.3. Results of analysis

the DNE21+, in which options of fuel switching to LNG

Table 2 and 3 show marginal abatement costs ofand hydrogen-powered ships were considered. Also,

CO2 and reduction costs of CO2 in 2050 by scenario.

methanation options were incorporated.

Large differences can be seen in global reduction costs
even among the two 2℃ targets, i.e. >50% probability

3.2. Assumption of Scenario Analysis(2DS) and >66% probability (B2DS). For example,

Assuming scenarios as shown in Table 1, evalua-marginal abatement costs and CO2 reduction costs intion of such mitigation targets as consistent with Paris

B2DS for b_1 and b_2 cases are estimated to be more

2°
C Agreement and Japanʼs long-term target of -80%

than 3 times as large as those of 2DS. When assuming

20

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-80% reduction in Japan in the 2DS scenario, reduc-Figures 3 to 8 show global primary energy supply,

tion cost will increase significantly. Thus contribution to

global electricity generation, and final energy con-global reduction is required as well as increased reduc-sumptions of the industry sector, the residential andtion rate within Japan. In the lower renewable costscommercial sector, the transport sector, and the inter-cases (a_2, b_2), especially in the Middle East, larger

national marine bunker (included in the transport sec-

reduction of global mitigation costs can be found. In thetor), respectively.

mobility-sharing case (b_3), marginal abatement costs

Regarding the primary energy supply, it is estimat-

decrease significantly (in B2DS, 477 $/tCO2 for the b_2

ed that almost all coal powers will be required to becase and 295 $/tCO2 for the b_3 case), and great ben-equipped with CCS in 2100 in both 2DS and B2DS,

efit of net negative costs are estimated, thanks to theand significant amounts of natural gas powers will bedecrease in expense for owing automobiles in contrast

combined with CCS. Yet, a part of fossil fuel powers

to the non-mobility-sharing case, offsetting other costs

will remain without CCS, and to offset the emission,

for CO2 emissions reduction.

utilizing BECCS as a negative emission source will be

Figure 2 depicts global CO2 emissions by sector in

economically more efficient to attain zero emission oreach scenario. As the emissions reduction target be-

negative emission. Further discussion is necessary tocomes stringent, emission reduction takes place in the

study whether such massive BECCS usage is possible

power sector (renewables, nuclear, and CCS, etc) first,

realistically.

then in CO2 storage by afforestation, or diffusion of hy-

Global electricity generation will increase to abrid vehicle (HV) or plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) in thelarge extent. In the 2℃ scenario, cost-efficient mea-transport sector. Need for more stringent reductionsures are the expansion of natural gas toward 2030,

may allow BECCS, CCS in the iron sector, and electricand the expansion of renewables and nuclear, andvehicle (EV) or fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) to become

CCS usage after 2050. In 2DS, cogeneration systems

cost-efficient. For much more stringent reduction tar-will play a more important role toward 2050. BECCS

gets such as netzero emission or negative CO2 emis-

usage will increase in response to the requirement ofsion, FCV trucks in the transport sector or methanation

zero CO2 emission around 2100 in 2DS and aroundbecome cost-efficient. Emission reduction in the power

2070 in B2DS. Especially in the lower renewable cost

sector is especially alleviated around 2050 in the mo-cases (a_2, b_2), it is shown that a part of PV power

bility-sharing case (b_3).

may become economically efficient when utilized forTable 2 : CO2 marginal abatement cost ($/tCO2)hydrogen production instead of the grid connection. In
the mobility-sharing cases, a role of BECCS will decrease especially around 2050. In the lower PV cost
scenarios, the share of PV power including for hydro-

Table 3 : CO2 emission reduction cost (billion US$/yr)

gen production will increase significantly in 2100.

Figure 3 : Global primary energy supply

Figure 2 : Global CO2 emission by sector

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In the industrial sector, the share of electricity andgas will increase toward 2100. In the 2℃ scenario(2DS), in the latter half of the 21st century, there will bea shift from blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace to hydrogen direct reduction steelmaking in the steel sector.
Under the 2DS, gas consumption for cement production will increase after the middle of the 21st century.
In the residential and commercial sector, the use
Figure 4 : Global electricity generationof non-commercial biomass will decline gradually. Also,
oil consumption will fall in the 2DS. On the other hand,electricity and gas consumption will increase. Since
2050, the use of hydrogen (and hydrogen methanation
in some cases) will be partially seen in the 2DS.
In the 2DS, there will be seen an increase in EV,
FCV and biofuel use in the transport sector. In particular, the use of hydrogen, including FC truck, will increase after 2050 in the B2DS. By the year 2100 of the

Figure 5 : Global final energy consumption in industry sector

B2DS, biofuel use will decrease. This is because theuse of BECCS in the power sector is more cost-efficient and availability of biomass is limited. In the mobility-sharing scenario (b_3), it is shown that the oil consumption in 2050 may be significantly reduced
compared to the other scenarios. In addition, the shareof FCV and EV will increase due to the rise in operating
rates. In the international marine bunker, biofuel andgas will be used around 2050. Hydrogen use would be

Figure 6 : G lobal final energy consumption in residential andcommercial sector

cost-efficient after 2050 in the B2DS.
Figures 9 and 10 show the global CO2 capture,utilization, storage balance, and hydrogen balance, respectively. Naturally, the amount of CO2 captured will
increase in the B2DS. In particular, the use of BECCS
will increase toward the second half of the 21st century.
The recovered CO2 will be used in methanation and
CCU; however, CO2 storage in the aquifer will be overwhelmingly large.

Figure 7 : Global final energy consumption in transport sector

For hydrogen production, gasification from coaland lignite with CCS will be cost-efficient under the
standard cost case of PV. On the other hand, in the
low-cost cases of PV (a_2, b_3), PV with water electrolysis will become cost-efficient. Hydrogen is used ina variety of ways, including power generation, hydrogen direct reduction steelmaking, transportation, andsome for methanation.

Figure 8 : F inal energy consumption in international marine
bunker22

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tricity generation including hydrogen power will also be
important. On the other hand, the cost reductions ofhydrogen will be necessary for the large deployment.
Recognizing the status of technology costs, it is important to expand its demands at the appropriate timing.
Large amounts of investment are required for the
2℃ target. Better environment for the investments andthe policies improving predictability for the return of the
Figure 9 : Global CO2 capture, utilization and storage

investments will be also important.

Reference
1) IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5℃ (2018)
2) IPCC WG1 Fifth Assessment Report (2013)
3) RITE Today (2019)4) IPCC WG3 Fifth Assessment Report (2014)

Figure 10 : Global hydrogen supply and consumption

4. Conclusion
The Paris Agreement has the long-term goals of
2℃, net zero emissions in the second-half of this century etc. In order to stabilize temperature, global net
CO2 emissions are required to be nearly zero. However, emission reduction cots are estimated very high forthe 2℃ or the net zero emission target under the assumptions of gradual technology improvements, andthe targets will be very difficult to achieve under suchhigh emission reduction costs. Therefore, broad innovations will be necessary. The technological innovations using digital technologies etc. in the energy enduse sectors and the induced social innovations arereally important.
There are large uncertainties in emission pathways only for the 2℃ target. In addition, international
cooperation on climate change mitigation is also uncertain. A better risk management is required. The effectiveness of each technology for decarbonization
varies according to the assumed emission reduction
scenarios, technology outlook etc. Multiple technological options should be developed for the risk hedge under such large uncertainties.
For deep emission reductions, electrification ratio
should increase basically. The decarbonization of elec-

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Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group

Masayuki Inui
Group Leader,
Chief Researcher

Hideaki Shiga, Deputy Group Leader,
Chief Researcher
Haruhiko Teramoto, Associate
Chief Researcher
Kazumi Hiraga, Associate Chief Researcher
Hajime Terasaki, 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, Senior Researcher
Tetsu Shimizu, Researcher
Masayoshi Hashizume, Researcher

Tomoaki Hara, Researcher
Akiyoshi Higo, Researcher
Natalia Maria Theresia, Researcher
Norimasa Kashiwagi, Researcher
Jyumpei Kobayashi, Researcher
Ryoma Hashimoto, Researcher
Junko Watanabe, Assistant Researcher
Yuko Ikenaga, Assistant Researcher
Shoko Minakuchi, Assistant Researcher
Miyuki Nagamori, Assistant Researcher
Kae Naito, Assistant Researcher
Noriko Ikeda, Assistant Researcher
Kazuyo Yoneda, Assistant Researcher
Mayu Koizumi, Assistant Researcher
Junko Nishi, Assistant Researcher
Kayoko Mori, Assistant Researcher
Motomi Iwashima, Assistant Researcher
Kayo Yoshida, Assistant Researcher
Aya Okada, Assistant Researcher
Kimiyo Kishi, Assistant Researcher

Development of Biorefinery Technology to Realize a Sustainable Society
1. Introduction
Biotechnology has made significant contributions
to a wide range of fields. Owing to rapid advances ingenome editing technology and synthetic biology, thefields benefiting include not only medicine, health, andagriculture, but also industry. Particularly in the past
few years, the concept of “bio-economy,” which aims toachieve economic growth while solving problems on a
global scale by utilizing biotechnology and renewablebiological resources, has been spreading to Asia,
mainly in Europe and the United States. According to
the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), “the biotechnology market in 2030
will expand to about 190 trillion yen in all member
countries and the manufacturing sector will reachabout 40%” (Fig. 1). It is said that all industries are biobased. Under such circumstances, the government
announced in June 2019 the Bio Strategy 2019 for the
first time in 11 years; the overall goal is “Achieving theworldʼs most advanced bioeconomy society in 2030.”
Our group is promoting the development of biorefinery technology, which is the core technology of thisbioeconomy, by using microorganisms. Biorefinery
technology is used for producing biofuels and green
chemicals using renewable resources (biomass) as
raw materials. This section first provides an overview
of the global situation in biofuel and green chemical
production.

Bio fuels
Bioethanol, a major biofuel, is produced from raw
materials that include corn (in the U.S.) and sugarcane(in Brazil), and mixed with 10%–25% gasoline for use
in automobile engines. The highest production andconsumption of bioethanol is in the U.S., where corn isa major crop, with 15.9 billion gallons (60.1 million kL)of bioethanol produced in 2018, according to estimatesprovided by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. According to the report Agricultural Outlook 2018–
2027, by OECD–FAO, 122 million kL of bioethanol
were produced worldwide in 2018, with the U.S. accounting for approximately half of this production.
Cellulose ethanol, a second-generation biofuel
whose raw material does not compete with food resources, is produced from agricultural wastes such as
corn stover. The EPA (U.S.Environmental Protection
Agency) target for the production of cellulosic biofuel in2020 is 540 million gallons (2.0 million kL), based on
RFS (Renewable Fuel Standard) rules. This is just over
5% of the RFS target set in 2007, and acceleration ofcommercialization is required in the future. RITE is developing a bioprocess that can efficiently utilize cellulosic biomass (see Chapter 2).
Regarding aviation fuel, the ICAO (International
Civil Aviation Organization) decided at the 2010 General Assembly not to increase total greenhouse gas
emissions after 2020. At the 2016 General Assembly, it
was decided to introduce a greenhouse gas reduction
system utilizing market mechanisms (GMBM: Global
Market-Based Measures) after 2020. Based on this,the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has
formulated a concrete action plan, including the use of
biojet fuel and the use of emissions trading (Fig. 2).
The GMBM is expected to launch in 2021. Along withthese, biojet fuel has been widely spread mainly in Europe and the United States every year, and commercial

Fig. 1 : Economic contribution of biotechnology

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flight has been continued as a sustainable aviation fuel(SAF) using cooking waste oil and the like. RITE also
started technical cooperation for a private biojet fuelproduction project using biobutanol in 2018 (see topics).
CO2 emissions
from aviation
(Mt)
3500

Predicting CO2 emissions
from aviation
Improvementof tech, ops,
infra

3000
2500

No action

1800 Mt

2000
1500

Biofuels &add. tech

1000
500
0
2000 2005 2010

Carbonoffsetting
2020

2030

800 Mt
300 Mt2040

Ref.） ICAO Environmental Report 2016

2050

＜ICAO’s prediction＞
Minimum carbon
emissions in 2050
＜ICAO’s target＞
Carbon neutral
Growth from 2020
＜IATA’s target＞
Net reduction incarbon emissions of
50% by 2050
compared to 2005

ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization
IATA : International Air Transport Association

Fig.2 : Emissions reduction roadmap

For marine fuels, in 2018, the IMO (International
Maritime Organization) adopted a greenhouse gas reduction strategy to reduce carbon emissions by morethan 40% by 2030 compared to 2008 by 2008. Amongthem, as effective countermeasures, the introduction ofalternative fuels has been mentioned in addition to thestrengthening of fuel efficiency regulations already introduced and the improvement of operation efficiency(deceleration operation, route optimization, etc.).
These are all candidates, and actual measures to betaken will be matters for further study and negotiations,and will be adopted as a reduction strategy (revised
version) in 2023.
Green chemicals
In the past few years, the problem of environmental destruction owing to plastic bottles and disposable
plastics has been highlighted as an international problem. In particular, microplastic pollution in the ocean isserious. The ban on waste plastic imports by China
and Southeast Asian countries has had a significant
impact on plastic recycling in Japan. Against this background, there are great expectations from bioplastics
and biodegradable plastics made from biomass, which
is a renewable resource. “Bio-Plastic (substitute forgeneral-purpose plastics)” is one of the nine market
areas in the “Bio-Strategy 2019,” and the budget request for fiscal 2020 includes the “Plastic Effective UseAdvanced Business” (business commissioned by the
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development
Organization [NEDO]).
2. Features of the RITE Bioprocess
Our group has established an innovative bioprocess “RITE bioprocess (growth-independent bioprocess)” based on a new technology concept. It has
achieved great results in the development of technologies for producing green chemicals, such as biofuels,amino acids, and aromatic compounds exhibiting highefficiency; further, it has received high praise both in

Fig. 3 : Features of the RITE Bioprocess

Japan and overseas.
This process involves cultivating a large amount ofcoryneform bacteria (smart cells), which are designed
metabolically to efficiently produce the target substance; filling a reaction tank with high density of thesecells; and, then, creating anaerobic conditions. Alternatively, the reaction is performed in a state where cell
division is stopped by removing the factors essential
for proliferation (Fig. 3). The key to high efficiency is to
produce compounds in a state in which the growth of
microorganisms is suppressed, and there is no needfor nutrients or energy to achieve growth. As a result,microbial cells can be used as catalysts in the chemical
process, and a bioprocess with high productivity, equal
to or higher than that of a normal chemical process,can be realized. In addition, by improving the metabolic system of coryneform bacteria, C6 saccharides andC5 saccharides were completely used at the sametime, enabling efficient use of cellulosic biomass. In addition, the process is highly resistant to fermentation
inhibitors, such as furans, present in mixed sugars
from the hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass (see RITE Today 2013-2017).
Currently, in addition to high-efficiency productionof ethanol, L-lactic acid, D-lactic acid, amino acids, andso on, we are expanding our business to produce
high-performance chemicals, such as butanol, jet fuelmaterials, and aromatic compounds (Fig. 4). In the following sections, we describe the recent progress madein our research into the production of biofuels andFig. 4 : Examples of substances produced by RITE's biorefinery technology

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green chemicals.
3. Biofuel production research and development
3.1. Biobutanol
Butanol is more suitable as a gasoline additive
than ethanol owing to its physicochemical properties,
including higher energy content, lower vapor pressure,and lower water solubility. It can also be used as thebase material for the production of biojet fuel using
conventional chemical reactions. Biojet fuel synthesized from biobutanol can be used in airplanes. Airlines
and aircraft manufacturers have paid great attention tobiojet fuel, whose importance has been recognized as
being critical for reductions in CO2 emissions by using
plant-based materials as feedstock instead of petroleum. Biojet fuel synthesized from butanol is often referred to as “alcohol-to-jet” (ATJ) fuel. ATJ fuel has
been approved by the American Society for Testingand Materials (ASTM) and is ready for use in commercial aircraft (http://www.gevo.com/).
We have developed a genetically engineered C.
glutamicum that leads to highly efficient production of
butanol. Further, we have been running a research
project since 2015 to investigate cellulosic butanol production (see Topics in RITE Today, 2016); the project isfunded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI). The advantages of our production process include: (i) cellulosic biomass-derived mixed sugars canbe used as feedstock, and (ii) production is fast andgives a high yield (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5 : P roduction of biobutanol and biojet fuel by the RITE
Bioprocess

Since butanol is highly toxic, we have developed agenetically engineered Corynebacterium strain thathas high tolerance against its toxicity. The strain exhibited very high productivity in the RITE Bioprocess. We
accelerated the research and development of biobutanol production from non-edible biomass by collaborating with the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
We have also been collaborating with the U.S. Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) since2017 by researching and developing the production of
jet fuels by chemical oligomerization of biobutanol.
This was based on a new idea that if acetic acid is included in mixed sugars from pre-treated biomass, it
can be converted to ethanol by engineered C. glutamicum through the introduction of new genes. Therefore,
the mixtures are utilized for bioproduction of butanol

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and ethanol, which can then be subjected to chemicaloligomerization for jet fuels.
The distillation of biobutanol solution requires alarge amount of energy. To reduce the amount of energy needed, we developed an energy-saving biobutanol-recovery process using a combination of distillationand pervaporation (PV); this resulted in energy savings
up to 90% and achievement of the highest biobutanol
productivity in the world.
In the future, we aim to use the results of this project to commercialize biobutanol by combining theseelemental technologies and various types of knowhow.
3.2. Green jet fuelPetroleum-based jet fuels are mixtures of hydrocarbons that consist of n-paraffins, isoparaffins, cycloparaffins, and aromatic compounds with 9–15 carbon
atoms. Jet fuel must meet strict standards with regard
to its physical properties, such as a specified freezing
point and density.
Isoparaffins have lower densities than cycloparaffins and aromatics, and, thus, the density of petroleum-based jet fuels varies according to the proportionof each type of hydrocarbon in a particular production
area. Biojet fuels that have already been certified by
ASTM are permitted for use when blended with petroleum-based jet fuels in a proportion of up to 50%. However, they mainly consist of isoparaffins having lower
densities than petroleum-based jet fuels. If these biojet
fuels were blended in a 50/50 mix with low-density jet
fuels derived from crude oil from Africa or the Middle
East, the resulting fuel would not be permissible as jet
fuel because its density would not meet the jet-fuelstandard. To avoid such nonconformity, the presenceof cycloparaffins and aromatics is required in biojet fuels.
Thus, we are developing a novel green jet fuel thatmeets ASTM density standards on its own. Our new
green jet fuel can be blended with any jet fuel up to theprescribed limit. Our strategy is to produce various
kinds of branched and cyclic precursor compounds
from non-food biomass using an energy-saving bioprocess, and then convert them to isoparaffins, cycloparaffins, and aromatics using a simple chemical reaction.
A high volume of production of these precursor compounds by fermentation is usually extremely difficult
owing to their hydrophobicity and toxicity to microorganisms. Thus, we are currently developing a novel
versatile bioprocess̶funded by METI since 2017̶toenable a high volume of production of such toxic compounds with the simultaneous fermentation and detoxification technique (Fig. 6).

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R&D Activities⃝Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology GroupFig. 6 : Production of a novel green jet fuel by a novel versatilebioprocess

3.3. Biohydrogen
Hydrogen, whose combustion generates only water, is considered the ultimate clean energy source.
However, CO2 emissions during the hydrogen production processes currently in use is a problematic issue;
this is because fossil resources are used as the feedstock. The Basic Hydrogen Strategy drawn up at a
meeting of the Ministerial Council on Renewable Energy, Hydrogen and Related Issues in 2017 states theimportance of development of innovative CO2-free hydrogen production technologies to realize a hydrogensociety over the medium to long term; the aim is to do
so by 2050, based on the goals set to develop commercial-scale hydrogen supply chains by 2030 or so.
Although bioprocesses have significant potential
for CO2-free hydrogen production, innovative improvements in technology are necessary to establish acost-effective biohydrogen production process. In collaboration with the Sharp Corporation, our group has
developed a biohydrogen production process. The hydrogen production rate of our process has achieved is
two orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional fermentation processes. Based on this achievement, our group is now conducting an international
collaborative research project that is supported by
METI. The purpose of this project is to bring about major improvements in hydrogen yield by integrating darkfermentative and photo-fermentative hydrogen production processes. The latter process harnesses light energy, whereas the former does not (Fig. 7).
For this project, we are collaborating with Kyoto
University, Japan, and the Center National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in France to advancemetabolic engineering for dark fermentation; weachieved a high expression of a novel hydrogen-producing enzyme with an efficient reaction mechanism.
Further, we engineered a regulator of a hydrogen-producing enzyme in a photosynthetic bacterium for photo-fermentation, and achieved constitutive high production of hydrogen; this result is highly favorable forindustrial applications. Furthermore, we are collaborating with NREL to examine an improvement in the utilization of mixed sugars derived from cellulosic biomass(corn stover); we confirmed that engineering the regulator of a xylose utilization system is effective.

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Fig.7 : R
 esearch and development to investigate highly efficientbiohydrogen production from cellulosic biomass

4. Development of technologies for the productionof green chemicals
4.1. NEDO Smart Cell project
NEDO launched a project “Development of Production Techniques for Highly Functional Biomaterials
Using Smart Cells of Plants and Other Organisms”(Smart Cell Project) in 2016. The concept “Smart cell”
is defined as a finely designed and expression-controlled cell. Members of the project develop technologies to design the Smart Cell, and validate these Smart
Cell design systems.
Our group has participated in this project since its
inception. Our target is an aromatic compound, which
has not been produced in high concentration by fermentation until now even though it has high value inindustrial fields. It is presumed that the reasons arehigh toxicity of the target compound to microorganisms
and high complexity of the metabolic pathways fromglucose to the target. To solve these problems, we applied the Smart Cell design systems for creating a C.
glutamicum overproducer strain of the target.
Our group contributed to the improvement of theSmart Cell design system by providing a large amountof experiment data. We also achieved a level of productivity that exceeded one of our final goals (Fig. 8).
We are continuing the development of hyperproducers
assisted by the Smart Cell design systems.

Fig.8 : Application of the Smart Cell design systems for
improving productivity

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4.2. SIP second period
The cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation promotion Program (SIP) promotes research and development in a seamless manner from the basic research
stage to the final outcome by endeavoring to strengthen cooperation among industry, academia, and government in a way that goes beyond the existing framework of government ministries and traditional
disciplines. The SIP has been promoting 11 themes
since 2014 and 12 new themes since 2018 that address the most important social problems facing Japan. The theme “Technologies for smart bio-industry
and agriculture” aims to realize a sustainable growing
society that uses manufacturing technologies developed by integrating biotechnology and digital resources. RITE participated in the “Development of technologies for functional design and production of innovative
biomaterials,” one of the consortia focusing on thistheme. This consortium consists of two groups: (i) thepolymer group for designing polymers with marketableproperties and predicting the function of polymers consisting of particular monomers, and (ii) the monomergroup for designing biosynthetic pathway and enzymes
for the monomers required for polymer synthesis. As aleader of the monomer group, RITE is evaluating enzyme candidates and enzyme modifications that it ispredicted will be required for the synthesis of target
monomers by the bioinformatics teams in the group.
We have evaluated the prediction technologies using
an enzyme for a diol synthesis as a target in 2019, andwill improve the accuracy of the technologies by evaluating more enzymes.

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aromatic compounds, including amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan), folate (vitamin B9), andcoenzyme Q. All these compounds are derived fromthe shikimate pathway (Fig. 10). By employing the metabolically engineered C. glutamicum, we have successfully established a highly efficient bioprocess to
produce the following aromatic compounds from nonfood ligno-cellulosic feedstock: shikimate, a key building block of the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu; 4-aminobenzoate, which is used as a building block of apotentially useful functional polymer; and aromatic hydroxy acids, which have potential applications in thepolymer, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industries. Currently, we are seeking to develop new strains
by introducing genes derived from versatile biologicalresources for the production of useful aromatic compounds that the wild-type C. glutamicum is unable toproduce. The techniques developed in the Smart Cell
Project, as described above, will help to acceleratestrain development and improve strain productivity.

Fig.10 : Biosynthetic pathway for various aromatic compounds

Fig.9 : Integrated designing and production technology systemfor biomaterials

4.3. Expanding production technologies for various aromatic chemicals
Aromatic compounds are important industrial
chemicals used for polymer synthesis, and a diverse
group of value-added chemicals that find applicationsin the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, flavor, cosmetics,
and food industries. While they are currently derived
from petroleum or natural plant resources, their environmental friendly biotechnological production fromrenewable feedstocks is desirable from the viewpointof creating a sustainable society that is no longer dependent on petroleum resources and has efficient production processes. Bacterial cells synthesize various

5. Toward the industrialization of our technologies
5.1. Phenol/Aromatic compounds
Currently, commercial phenol can only be derived
from petroleum. We have taken on the challenge̶considered to be difficult̶to develop the worldʼs firstmanufacturing bioprocess for biomass-derived phenol;
this aim is to aid global environmental conservationand greenhouse gas reduction.
In May 2014, Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. and
RITE established Green Phenol Development Co., Ltd.
(GPD) to accelerate the industrialization of our biomass-derived phenol-producing technology called the“Two-Stage Bioprocess”. In April 2018, GPD changed
its name to Green Chemicals Co., Ltd. (GCC).
At the ENEX2019 held at Tokyo from January 30
to February 1, 2019, three members from GCC and
Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. attended an awards ceremony and gave lectures that were supported by NEDO
(Fig. 11). The ceremony was held to recognize projects
realizing outstanding achievements under NEDOʼs28

R&D Activities⃝Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group

strategic innovation program for energy conservation
technologies.
Because GCCʼs phenol-producing technology andknowledge are applicable to the production of various
other aromatic compounds, the establishment of a bioprocess for each higher value-added chemical and thecommercialization of products that meet customersʼ
needs are in progress.

Fig.11 : Awards ceremony by NEDO

5.2. Amino acids
Normally, amino acid fermentation is carried out
under aerobic conditions. Attaining high productivity
requires aeration and agitation to be properly controlled; however, this is often difficult to achieve inlarge-scale fermenters because the oxygen concentration inside them is not homogeneous. To overcome thisproblem, we have developed a new, genetically modified Corynebacterium strain for amino acid productionin the RITE Bioprocess that allows the production ofamino acids to be carried out under anaerobic conditions. The technological hurdle for amino acid production under anaerobic conditions is to balance the redox
reaction without oxygen as an electron acceptor. To
this end, we introduced an artificial pathway for aminoacid biosynthesis in microbial cells. Our group solved
this technological hurdle and published its research accomplishments in an international journal in 2010
(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 on amino acid production using the RITE Bioprocess, and developed technologies for: scaling up,
growth of efficient production strains, and cost reduction. Our first target was to produce an amino acid,L-alanine, normally synthesized from a petrochemical
product; however, our goal was to produce this aminoacid from renewable resources, thereby reducing thelife cycle carbon footprint. In 2016, we succeeded indemonstrating the feasibility of this production technique by using the commercial-scale facilities of ourpartner company, which was an important milestone
for industrialization. One of our group members also
participated in the first operation and worked with local
employees to lead the project to a successful conclusion. As the result of an evaluation by the Food Safety
Committee in August 2017, the safety of L-alanine,
produced by our strain, for use as a food additive wasconfirmed; further, it was made commercially available

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as a food additive, besides its use for industrial applications. The L-alanine business is currently working oncommercial production with both a domestic and foreign partner company. In addition, RITE succeeded in
producing a strain with the worldʼs highest production
concentration and production efficiency of L-valine.
Further, it has completed commercialization projects
with GEI and overseas partners to achieve commercial
production. We are now working on a joint research
project for the production of other amino acids.
6．Closing remarks
Currently, more than 50 countries and regions
around the world are developing bioeconomic strategies. Japan also set the goal of realizing a bio-economy society in its “Bio Strategy 2019.” Three of the ninemarket areas in this strategy are related to our technology area; these are “high-performance biomaterials,”“bioproduction systems,” and the aforementioned “bioplastics.” They are likely to be included in the governmentʼs list of items requiring priority development in the
future.
In the area of biofuels, the government has set a
goal of introducing 500,000 kL of bioethanol annuallyfor five years, starting from 2018; however, it relies
heavily on imports (mainly corn) that affect its raw material costs. It seeks to realize mass production, evenas it meets the challenges of food competition and cost
reduction by using waste non-edible biomass as a raw
material.
In the field of biochemicals, several projects basedon the fusion of information technology (digital), suchas IoT and AI, and biotechnology, which have seen remarkable developments in recent years, are being led
by the government, and RITE is also participating inthem (see Chapter 4). In these projects, the biorefinery
technology based on the smart cell described above is
expected to play a major role as a core technology, andto have a large ripple effect on the industrial field (manufacturing), in addition to energy (Fig. 12).
In 2020, we will continue to develop innovative
biorefinery production technologies centered on the
cutting-edge biotechnology “Smart Cell” and contributeto the construction of a low-carbon society that is sustainable.

Fig.12 : F usion of industrial/energy fields changed by bio &digital29

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Chemical Research GroupShin-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
Takayasu Kiyokawa, Researcher
Shuhong Duan, Researcher
Vu Thi Quyen, Researcher

Hanako Araki, Research Assistant
Noriko Onishi, Research AssistantHidenori Ogata, Research Assistant
Mai Kashima, Research AssistantKozue Kataoka, Research AssistantKeiko Komono, Research Assistant
Ryuichi Shirai, Research Assistant
Rie Sugimoto, Research AssistantTakashi Teshima, Research AssistantYoichi Fujiwara, Research AssistantKeiko Mori, Research AssistantMisato Mori, Research AssistantNaomi Yoshino, Research AssistantJunko Yonezawa, Research Assistant
Kumiko Ogura, Research Assistant

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 regeneration energy. In addition, we

sources as electric power plants and factories and in-established a large-scale synthesis technology thatcludes the subsequent sequestration of the captured

can produce the solid sorbent at a scale of 10 m3. Re-

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

search on practical application is now underway in col-sociated with capturing CO2 from emission sources

laboration with a private company. In the near future,account for approximately 60% of the total CCS expen-

we will install a test facility to capture 40 t-CO2/day at aditures. Therefore, it is important to reduce the capture

coal power plant for practical application.

costs to allow for the practical application of CCS.

Membrane separation is expected to be an effec-

The Chemical Research Group studies the differ-tive means of separating CO2 from high-pressure gas

ent CO2 capture technologies with a special focus on

mixtures at low cost and with low energy requirements.

chemical absorption, adsorption, and membrane sepa-

As a member of the Molecular Gate Membrane Module

ration methods. This work involved the development ofTechnology Research Association, RITE has been de-

new materials and processing methods, as well as theveloping membranes and membrane elements using a

investigations of capture systems. The Groupʼs studies

novel dendrimer/polymer hybrid membrane called thehave thus far generated significant outcomes and as-

molecular gate membrane to selectively capture CO2

sisted in the progress of research in this particular field.

from pressurized gas mixtures containing H2, such as

Specifically, we developed high performance

those generated in the integrated coal gasification

chemical absorbents, and one such chemical absor-

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

bent with particular promise was selected for applica-

use. We are also developing membranes with large

tion in a commercial CO2 capture plant owned by amembrane

private Japanese company; the second commercial

brane-forming method and developing membrane ele-plant started operations in July 2018.

ments for the mass production of membranes and

areas

using

the

continuousmem-

On solid sorbent technology, we have also been

membrane elements in the future. In addition, we aredeveloping sorbents for CO2 capture to efficiently re-evaluating the separation performance and processduce energy consumption. Currently, the low-tempera-

compatibility of our membranes and membrane ele-30

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ments using coal gasification gas at the test sites indevelop new absorbents that had the potential to deliv-

Japan and overseas in order to identify and then solve

er high performance, and we clarified the mechanism

the technical problems of membranes and membraneof performance development and related factors of aelements. In addition, RITE joins the International Test

high-performance solvent. The latest R&D phase

Center Network (ITCN) and actively uses overseas(Phase II Step 1) started in 2018. Based on previous

networks towards the commercialization of CO2 sepa-

milestones, we are exploring new non-aqueous sol-ration and recovery technology.

vents and developing methods for pelletizing absorption-promoting catalysts to achieve the target of 1.6

2. Chemical absorption method for CO2 capture

GJ/t-CO2 (Fig. 2).

CO2 capture by chemical absorption is a prospective technology for the separation of CO2 from gas mixtures. This technique consists of the thermal desorption of CO2 following chemical absorption using anamine-based solvent. Since the cost-saving CO2 Capture System (COCS) project (funded by the Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry [METI]) started in 2004,
RITE has been developing high-performance solvents
for CO2 capture mainly from blast furnace effluent gas
in the steel industry to reduce separation energy andcapture costs. The COURSE 50 project, which started
in 2008, aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% in theFig. 2 : Challenge for higher performance solvents

steel industry, where it is expected that CO2 emissions
can be reduced by 20% using the capture technology.

Regarding practical technology development, one

Fig. 1 shows the flow of the development of chemicalof the outstanding new absorbents was adopted forabsorbers in RITE.

use in the commercial CCS plants (ESCAP) constructed by Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd. The first such
CCS plant began operating in 2014, and the second
CCS plant began operating in 2018 (Fig. 3). The research results of RITE are contributing to the practicalapplication of CO2 capture in the industry.

Fig. 1: Development of chemical absorbers in RITEIn the Phase I Step 1 of COURSE 50 (FY 2008–2012), RITE achieved the target CO2 capture energy
consumption value of 2.0 GJ/t-CO2. In addition, significant new absorbents were developed for CO2 desorption at less than 100℃. Beginning in FY 2013, Phase I

Fig. 3: Industrial application of COURSE 50 CO2 capture
technology

Step 2 was initiated and ran until FY 2017. During thiswork, RITE and Nippon Steel Corporation continued to31

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3. Solid sorbent method for CO2 capture
RITE developed solid sorbents during a project
aimed at the advancement of CO2 capture technologies funded by METI from 2010 to 2014. Solid sorbents
are composed of amine absorbents for chemical absorption and porous materials (Fig. 4). 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 during regeneration.

Fig. 5 : Improvement of solid sorbent performance by newly
synthesized amine

The result of the process simulation based on theperformance of the developed solid sorbents showed
the potential of 1.5 GJ/t-CO2 for separation and capture energy. When this CO2 capture technology is applied to coal-fired power generation, the reduction in
the power generation efficiency is expected to improveby about 2% compared to conventional chemical absorption technology (2.5 GJ/t-CO2).
Under a project aimed at the advancement of CO2
capture technologies (R&D of Advanced Solid SorFig. 4 : Amine solid sorbent

bents for Commercialization) funded by METI since FY2015 (since FY 2018, transferred to NEDO), we are

Novel amines synthesized by RITE have been

optimizing materials for practical use, optimizing andemployed for the developed solid sorbents. We had in-promoting the efficiency of solid solvent processes,

troduced a functional group of specific configuration toand constructing simulation technology for the system,

a commercially available amine compound, and thenas well as working with Kawasaki Heavy Industries

RITE successfully fabricated innovative high-perfor-(KHI), Ltd., to develop a moving-bed bench-scale sys-

mance solid sorbents capable of low-temperature re-tem for coal combustion exhaust gas.

generation with high adsorption capacities (Fig. 5). We

So far, we have selected solid support with proper-

obtained U.S. and Japanese patents for these solid

ties suitable to the moving-bed system. In addition, we

sorbents.

have developed and optimized a method of synthesis
for materials on a larger scale. As a result, we havealmost established a mass method of synthesis with aview to scale-up (100 m3 scale) the process.
The solid sorbents prepared by the establishedmethod (> 10 m3) were evaluated by using a lab-scale
fixed-bed test apparatus (Fig. 6). These tests wereconducted by using the steam-aided vacuum swing
adsorption (SA-VSA) process in which steam was supplied in a desorption process. The optimized operation
process has shown that RITE solid sorbents are able
to capture high-purity (> 99%) CO2 from simulated fluegas (12% CO2) at high yields (> 90%) under 60℃. In

32

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this case, energy consumption for regeneration steam
at 60℃ was extremely low (1.1 GJ/t-CO2), demonstrating that RITE solid sorbents had superior performance
for CO2 capture. In addition, as part of the process of
optimization using a fixed-bed system, we have designed and constructed small bench scale test equipment of 0.1 t-CO2/day and are currently studying scaleup issues.

Fig. 7 : O xidation degradation resistance of solid absorbent at
100 ℃ (O2 (20%) / N2 (80%) / H2O (RH50%))

We plan to build a pilot-scale plant of 40 t-CO2/day
in a coal-fired power station, and a practical exhaustgas test will be carried out (announced in September2017). We are working on an R&D roadmap to estabFig. 6 : Lab-scale fixed-bed apparatus for CO2 capture test

Currently, the bench-scale combustion exhaustlish a solid sorbent system with much higher performance in the capture of CO2 from coal fired power (Fig.
8).

gas test is underway with the moving-bed system installed at KHI using RITE solid sorbents prepared by
the established method. Thus far, we have achieved up
to 7.2 t-CO2/day as the scale of CO2 capture
Coal flue gas contains about 5% O2, and thus generally causes the problem of amine oxidative deterioration. Since the solid absorbent system developed inthis project is a low-temperature regeneration process
at about 60℃, it is expected to be advantageous interms of oxidation resistance. Verification by lab-accelerated tests at approximately 100℃ with 20% O2 con-Fig. 8 : Project roadmap

firmed that the newly synthesized amines developed inthis project were significantly less degraded by oxida-

The application of solid sorbents to lower-concen-tion than commercially available amines (Fig. 7). In ad-

tration CO2 emission sources, including the removal of

dition, as a result of conducting an actual gas exposure

CO2 in closed spaces indoors and spacecraft along

test at a coal-fired power plant, we found suitable con-with direct air capture (DAC) are being studied. We are

ditions under which the performance of this solid sor-

also working with lower-concentration sources. We will

bent hardly deteriorated.

continue to develop the solid sorbent system for further
reduction of CO2 separation energy and apply it to avariety of different emission sources with the modification according to each source and then promote practical use.

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4. Membrane separation
CO2 separation by membranes is conducted by
selective permeation of CO2 from the pressure differ-

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We developed new types of dendrimer/polymer
hybrid membranes that provide superior separation of
CO2/H2 gas mixtures.

ence between the feed side and the permeate side of

Based on this work, the Molecular Gate Mem-the membrane. So, CO2 capture with low cost and en-brane module Technology Research Association (MG-ergy is expected by applying membrane processes to

MTRA; consists of the Research Institute of Innovative

pre-combustion (Fig. 9). For this reason, we are cur-Technology for the Earth [RITE] and a private compa-

rently developing novel CO2 selective membrane mod-ny) is researching new membranes, membrane ele-ules that effectively separate CO2 during the IGCC pro-ments (Fig. 11), and membrane separation systems.

cess.

Fig. 9 : Schematic of the IGCC process with CO2 capture by CO2
selective membrane modules.

We found that novel polymeric membranes composed of dendrimer/polymer hybrid materials (termedmolecular gate membranes) exhibited excellent CO2/
H2 separation performance. Fig. 10 presents a sche-

Fig. 11 : C O 2 selective membrane, membrane element, andmembrane module.
Membrane element: The structure with a large membrane area
composed of the membrane, support, and spacer.
Membrane module: The structure in which the membraneelement is placed.

matic that summarizes the working principles of a mo-

Based on the achievements of the project by thelecular gate membrane. Under humidified conditions,

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Ja-

CO2 reacts with the amino groups in the membrane topan, CO2 Separation Membrane Module Research andform either carbamate or bicarbonate, which thenDevelopment Project (FY 2011–2014) and CO2 Sepa-

blocks the passage of H2. Consequently, the amount ofration Membrane Module Practical Research and De-

H2 diffusing to the other side of the membrane is great-velopment Project (FY 2015–2018) in the current

ly reduced, and high concentrations of CO2 can be ob-

NEDO project, CO2 Separation Membrane Module

tained.

Practical Research and Development (FY 2018– ), weare developing membranes with large membrane areas using a continuous membrane-forming method
while developing the membrane elements. In addition,
we started to conduct pre-combustion CO2 capture
tests of the membranes using real gas from the coalgasifier at the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (UK-CAER) in the U.S., and weare planning to conduct CO2 capture tests of the mem-

Fig. 10 : Schematic illustration of the working principles of themolecular gate membrane.

brane elements at the test site in Japan, in 2020, to
examine the separation performance and robustnessof membranes and membrane elements.

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5. Conclusion

membranes using the continuous membrane-forming

In December 2015, the Paris Agreement was ad-

method, membrane preparation conditions were opti-

opted at COP 21.* To meet the conditions of the agree-

mized to reduce membrane thickness, and the mem-

ment, it is essential to promote innovative ways to dra-branes were produced with the continuous mem-matically reduce emissions on a worldwide basis. In

brane-forming method under optimized conditions. The

June 2019, ʻJapan released the long-term strategy as

separation performances of the membranes prepareda growth strategy based on the Paris Agreementʼ andfrom various conditions are shown in Fig. 12. It should

ʻthe Integrated Innovation Strategy 2019ʼ, where it is

be noted that helium (He) gas was used as alternative

shown that CCUS/Carbon Recycling is an importantgas to H2, for safety.

innovative technology that enables carbon neutrality inthe world. In CCUS/carbon recycling, a combination of“ reuse of separated and recovered CO2 for fossil fuels
and materials by treating CO2 as a carbon resource(CCU)” and “storage of separated and recovered CO2
underground (CCS)” is expected to have a significant
CO2 reduction effect.
Furthermore, it is shown that CO2 separation andcapture technologies are the basis for CCUS, and thetargets for the technologies are to reduce the cost of
CO2 separation and capture to 1,000 yen/t-CO2 by

Fig. 12 : Separation performances of the membranes preparedfrom various conditions.
(QCO2: CO2 permeance, αCO2/He: CO2/He selectivity)(Condition E: optimized preparing condition)

2050 and to establish CO2 separation and capture
technologies for various CO2 emission sources etc.
In general, it is crucial to promote the practical application of CCS by proposing optimized separation

CO2 separation costs were evaluated using theand recovery technologies for various CO2 emission

experimental data in Fig. 12, and it was found that thesources. It is also vital to establish new or improved

cost target (1,500 JPY/t-CO2) could be obtained by op-

technologies through scale-up studies and actual gas

timization of the preparation conditions.

separation trials that closely mimic desired real-world

In addition, we are conducting the development

applications. Furthermore, it is important to promote

for the mass production of the membrane elements,

innovative technological development and to continu-

and we are conducting research to improve the dura-

ally develop new energy-efficient, low-cost approaches

bility of the membrane elements. The membrane ele-

to CCS.

ments are stable under typical operating conditions*COP 21: 2015 United Nations Climate Change Con-

(total pressure: 2.4 MPa) and cab be prepared by opti-

ferencemization of the permeate tube, spacers, and glues.
The CO2 molecular gate membrane modules arebeing developed under a project recognized by the
Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF), a
ministerial-level international climate change initiative
focused on the development of improved, cost-effective technologies for the separation and capture of CO2
for transport and safe long-term storage.

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CO2 Storage Research Group

Ziqiu XueGroup Leader,
Chief Researcher

Kenji Uchida, Deputy Leader,
Chief Researcher
Makoto Nomura, Chief Researcher
Nobuo Takasu, Associate Chief Researcher
Takahiro Nakajima, Associate Chief
Researcher
Takeshi Myoi, Associate Chief Researcher
Ryozo Tanaka, Associate Chief Researcher
Keisuke Uchimoto, Senior Researcher
Saeko Mito, Senior Researcher
Yi Zhang, Senior Researcher
Hyuck Park, Senior Researcher
Tetsuma Toshioka, Senior Researcher
Jun Matsumura, 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
Takuma Ito, Researcher
Takayuki Miyoshi, Researcher
Yankun Sun, Researcher
Hongyu Zhai, Researcher
Luchen Wang, Researcher
Akihiro Nakamura, Researcher
Takeya Nagata, Researcher
Masafumi Kotani, Researcher
Satoko Fuchikami, Chief
Kimiko Nakanishi, Chief
Megumi Okumichi, Research Assistant
Tokio Sasai, Research Assistant
Megumi Sasaki, Research AssistantShiori Tsuji, Research AssistantAkemi Nishide, Research AssistantYuko Himi, Research AssistantJunko Hirai, Research AssistantSeiji Shibatani
Hiromasa Okada

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

storage site in Japan, by collecting microseismic

Deployment of commercial-scale demonstration

events from the ground motion data with frequent nat-projects is getting increase in the world. As more actionural earthquakes and high environmental noise fromon environmental issues is required, technological de-human activity and processing data automatically invelopment for the safe storage of CO2 will become

real time. We also intend to improve the level of publicmore critical. In this regard, our CO2 Storage Research

acceptance through information disclosure of test re-Group as part of The Geological Carbon Dioxide Stor-

sults to the public.

age Technology Research Association has conductedWith regard to research on monitoring CO2 leak-one of the New Energy and Industrial Technology De-age into the seawater, we have collected inter-annual

velopment Organization (NEDO) projects called CCS

data samples of various characteristics of the carbon-

Research Development/Demonstration Project: Re-ate system in Osaka Bay. We will develop the relevant

search Development on CO2 Storage Technology formonitoring methods of the carbonate system by ana-

Safe Implementation of CCS.

lyzing the data. This will contribute to developing the

One of our developing technologies, called Dis-

safest and more secured CO2 storage with various as-

tributed Fiber Optical Sensing (DFOS), is capable ofpects of research development and an appropriateacquiring spatially continuous recording. DFOS hasform of information disclosure to the public.

facilitated low-cost multi-sensor systems that can cap-

We have also conducted a technological develop-

ture temperature, pressure, strain and vibration by in-ment of CO2 microbubble injection test to create effi-

stalling multiple fibers in a wellbore. We believe thatcient CO2 injection methods. Furthermore, we havethis technology will play a significant role in commercial

implemented a pilot project in relation to the applicabil-

CCUS projects in North Dakota and the international

ity of CO2 microbubble injection.

project of assuring integrity of CO2 storage sites

Our group has also facilitated an international col-through ground surface monitoring (SENSE project)laborative team to enable contribution to international

led by Norwegian Geotechnical Institute.

frameworks, networking and collaborations to promote

We have developed a management system for

CCS technologies.

CO2 storage (ATLS: Advanced TLS), which utilizes
data from all monitoring systems and is applicable at a36

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2. Major Research Themes and Outcomesmicroseismicity around a well. In our test of long-term

2.1. Development of Technique for Monitoring

continuous monitoring, the system recorded numerous

Formation Stability during CO2 Injection Using

natural earthquakes. The record in Fig. 2 shows an ex-

Optical Fiber

ample of a seismic event near the site (12 km in epi-

Associated with CO2 injection in the InSalah proj-

central distance, 1.7 km in hypocenter depth, and Mag-ect site in Algeria, observed were ground uplift aroundnitude 1.3). In the accelerometer track (top in Fig. 2),

injection wells and numerous microseismic events (be-P-waves and S-waves were clearly captured at aroundlow Magnitude 1). The locations of microseismic events

two sec. and six sec. In the optical fiber records (bot-were not limited to near the front of the CO2 plume andtom in Fig. 2), waves from deep subsurface (the bot-pressure propagation. Formation deformations are

tom of the record) were reflected at the ground surface

considered to generate by rises in formation pressure.

(the top of the record), generating inverted V-shape

In geological CO2 storage, it is therefore essential tosignals. By analyzing the angles of V-shape signals,

monitor not only the location of CO2 plume but also thewhich depend on the propagation rates of waves,area of pressure propagation. There are a number ofP-waves and S-waves can be easily distinguished intechnologies suitable for these monitoring, for exam-

optical fiber records. These data also contain PS-con-ple, the Distributed Fiber Optical Sensing (DFOS).

verted waves generated by wave reflection at the sur-

The DFOS system is capable of acquiring spatiallyface and SP-converted waves generated at deep sub-continuous data and has been applied in various ar-

surface. These records can be used as input to theeas. DFOS can act as a multi-sensor system to cap-characterization of a seismic event detected and to an

ture temperatures, pressures, strains and vibrations

early warning system such as the ATLS.

simultaneously by installing multiple fibers together.
The system is potentially much cheaper than a case0

where many sensors are installed. We tested multiple
features of our DFOS systems in the field, two features

50

The first one is the distributed strain sensing(DSS) to measure minute geological strains caused bywell drilling nearby. Fig.1 shows the changes of strainsobserved by the DSS system installed in two existingwells, 3 m (left in Fig.1) and 10 m (right in Fig.1) away

Depth (m)are outlined below.

100

150
3 m awayfrom the new wellfrom the new well. The figure shows that the DSS system, while drilling, successfully captured changes instrains caused by poroelastic deformations of the formations, the propagation of the strains, and differences

200

1

3

5

Time (day)7

10 m awayfrom the new well

9

1

3

5

Time (day)7

9

Fig.1 : Strain changes while drillingin their attenuation trends which depend on the distance and direction of the propagation. Locally-varied
deformation polarities and magnitudes along the wellbores are attributable to variation in strataʼs stiffness
and permeability.
The second example is natural earthquake monitoring with the optical fibers installed in a wellbore. The
optical fibers for vibration sensing are often used asreceivers in the VSP (Vertical Seismic Profiles) technique in order to image geological features. The fibers
also can be used as passive seismometers to monitor

Fig. 2 : Record of a natural earthquake event37

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2.2. Development of Advanced Traffic Light Systemnatural earthquakes in Japan. These functions were

(ATLS) for the Safety Management of CO2 Injection

implemented in the ATLS codes, and the system was

In various fluid injection projects, there are con-tested with data from the seismic observation systemcerns about earthquakes (felt seismicity) induced byinstalled by at the Tomakomai demonstration site. The

increase of formation pressure. In waste water injec-

test successfully demonstrated that ATLS automatical-

tion projects and enhanced geothermal systems

ly performed signal processing and microseismic hy-(EGS), Traffic Light Systems (TLS) have, therefore,

pocenter analysis of data acquired for more than 1

been used to manage operations to prevent the in-year in the long-term continuous observation.

duced felt seismicity around sites. According to records
with seismicity at CO2 storage sites to date, microseismicity observed there have been limited to a magnitude of 1.1 or less. However, we should deeply consider the risk management about the possibility of theseismicity at a CO2 storage site because the publicconcern to the earthquake is high.
Our group has been developing a management
system for CO2 storage (ATLS: Advanced TLS), which
utilizes data from all monitoring systems and is suitable for storage sites in Japan (Fig.3). To be applicablein Japan, ATLS needs to have the capability to extract
microseismic events from ground motion data that contain data of frequent natural earthquakes and high-level environmental noise derived from human activities,
to determine the hypocenters of microseismic events,
and to process data automatically in real time (Fig.4).

Fig.4 : Example of seismic wave observation by OBC

2.3. CO2 Monitoring in the Marine Environment
Sub-seabed CO2 storage is legally required to secure no CO2 leakage into the seawater. The CO2 monitoring activity for this purpose is also important sociallyfrom the viewpoint of securing safety and security forresidents around a storage site. Our research group is
aimed at developing appropriate detection methods of
CO2 leakage into the seawater.
The forms of CO2 leakage into seawater are divid-

Fig.3 : Diagram of ATLS.

ed into the bubble phase and the dissolution phase. To
detect bubble CO2, we have been developing a meth-

In order to distinguish microseismicity from natural

odology based on active acoustic sonar. For the dis-earthquakes, ATLS automatically collects data in thesolved CO2, we have been demonstrating a methodol-

seismological bulletin of Japan reported by the Japanogy for judgement of CO2 leakage, based on the

Meteorological Agency and compares them with ob-

seasonal data of the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) asserved ground motions. To extract microseismic events

an indicator of dissolved CO2. Applied this method tofrom noisy data, a method was developed based on

the water composition data including those of carbon-

SDAR (Sequentially Discounting Auto Regressive

ate relatives that had been accumulated from the Osa-model learning). As the function of hypocenter evalua-ka Bay for several decades, we concluded that sea-tion of microseismicity, “hypomh” was adopted, which

sonal water sampling needs four to six years to obtainis used to determine the authorized hypocenters ofadequate background dataset. This is because water38

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qualities are varied daily, seasonally and annually due

Plotting pCO2 over DO% shows that they have an

to various factors such as biological and physical phe-inverse correlation at the both stations (Fig.6). The rela-nomena.

tions are mostly attributable to biological activities such

To understand seasonal variations and short-term

as photosynthesis by phytoplankton (CO2 is consumed

variations in a season, we conducted continuous moni-and O2 is released) and aerobic respiration (O2 is con-toring of pCO2 and water quality in the Osaka Bay for

sumed and CO2 is released). Due to these phenomena,

more than one year from July 2018. The sensors were

DO% is low when pCO2 is high and DO% is high whenmoored at two stations, which have different water body

pCO2 is low. When injected CO2 leaks into seawater,

structures. One is the offshore of Kobe Port (Off KOBE)

DO% is expected to stay at the same level but pCO2

and the other is the offshore of Kansai Airport (Off KIX).

should be increased, exceeding the inverse correlation

The former station is located in the eastern area in the

curve based on the natural variations. We can use thisBay, where water depth is shallow and water body has

to judge whether CO2 is leaking so that it is important toa tendency to be stratified by inflow of river water. The

understand the natural variations in the pCO2 – DO%latter station faces the western area in the Bay, which iscorrelation. Analyzing the causes of variations is thea deeper basin with a well-mixed water body due to tide

next step. we plan to develop a methodology to define

current and mixing with the open ocean.

adequate criteria for the judgement of CO2 leak. We are

The observed seasonal changes of pCO2 and dissolved oxygen saturation (DO%) are shown in Fig.5. At

then aimed at establishing a frame work of marine monitoring for sub-seabed CO2 storage.

the both stations, pCO2 were high in summer and low
in winter. The trend is prominent at Off KOBE, where
pCO2 fell into a range of 200 – 300 μatm in winter andexceeded 1,000 μatm in summer. In addition, pCO2
there had a large variation range of over several hundreds μatm in summer. On the other hand, pCO2 at
Off KIX show smaller seasonal changes: approximately 300 μatm in winter and approximately 600 μatm insummer. Different from pCO2, DO% were high in winterand low in summer at the both stations. But the rangeof DO% was larger in summer as pCO2 did. DO% were
almost saturated at the both stations in winter but show

Fig.6 : Scatter plot of pCO2 and DO%

2.4. Microbubble CO2 Injection Test

different trends in summer: DO% at Off KIX wereMicrobubble CO2 injection is a technology to gen-around 80% in summer, whereas DO% at Off KOBE

erate microbubble CO2 by supplying CO2 into a special

were significantly lower than those in winter, which isfilter and to inject the bubbles into pore space in forma-occasionally close to zero.

tions. Using the microbubble technology, we have collaborated to improve CO2 storage efficiency with Tokyo
Gas and have obtained a patent “Device and Method
for Sequestering a Substance” Patent No. 5399436).
Its features have the potential of enabling us to maximize pore space utilization in geological CO2 storage,
to use low-permeability formations which have notbeen considered as a storage formation, and to enhance oil recovery rates.
On laboratory testing, we have evaluated the per-Fig.5 : S easonal changes of pCO 2 and DO% (Bar indicatesmaximum and minimum. Box shows interquartile range.)formance of microbubble CO2 by generating the microbubbles with a circular porous filter and then injecting

39

R&D Activities⃝CO Storage Research Group

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them into a cylindrical rock sample. In the field, we

the microbubble CO2 generation tool to Junlun Petro-need to inject CO2 into a tool hung in an injection wellleum Company, China, with whom RITE had conclud-to generate microbubbles and to spray them in a 10 m

ed a license agreement for the use of our microbubble

or longer injection zone. The tool is an approx.

injection technology in the previous year. This was a

1.5m-long module unit, which is connectable with otherfirst step toward the commercialization of the technolo-

units to be as long as the thickness of an injection

gy for CO2-EOR in low-permeable oilfields. We arezone.

also planning the demonstration of this technology to-

In 2019, we, in collaboration with JAPEX, conducted

gether with DFOS in the USA, concluded a memoran-a field test to examine level of storage efficiency at their

dum of understanding on collaborative study on CO2

Sarukawa oilfield in Akita (Fig. 7). The selected formation

geological storage and EOR with the University of

was a 900m-deep sand formation which bares oil. The oil

North Dakota. We will test the microbubble CO2 injec-

is trapped in the formation with little natural flowing. Wetion technology in various types of oil formations and to

did a Haff and Puff test, injecting CO2 and water at a ratioacquire data to investigate its applicability, effective-of 9:1 and then pumping formation fluid out.

ness and also economics.
2.5. International Collaboration and Review of CCS
Development in the WorldOur group facilitates an international collaborative
team, which contributes to promoting CCS technologies through international collaboration with various
international organizations (e.g. IEA-GHG) and frameworks, while researching the global trends of CCS development. Here, we summarize some of the highlights
of international CCS development and frameworks
during 2019.

Fig.7 : Image of installed microbubble generator in a wellbore
and microbubble generation test under the atmosphericcondition(1) Global trends in CCS development

We injected 5.8 tonnes of CO2 at a rate of aboutbuilding infrastructure sharing called “cluster” has

0.6 tonnes per day for 10 days in a conventional man-been widely discussed as one of the key development

ner without a microbubble generation tool. After aareas across countries, especially in the EU.

In terms of disseminating CCS technologies,

2-day interval, we then collected subsurface fluid for

In May 2019, The UKʼs Committee on Climate

consecutive five days. In total, 2.1 tonnes of CO2 were

Change announced a report called Net Zero-The UKʼscollected from the reservoir, but no oil recovered. The

contribution to stopping global warming. This reportratio of CO2 remained in the formation was 62%. We

emphasizes that net zero emission in that country willsubsequently repeated the same process but with theneed to be achieved by 2050 and CCS will play a sig-

microbubble tool, where we were able to inject 20

nificant role in the action. We would need at least one

tonnes of CO2 stably at a rate of 2 tonnes per day overcluster to be operated by 2026, at least one and anoth-

10 days. The storage efficiency for this time was 80%

er four additional clusters would need to be operated.

with 3.9 tonnes of CO2 recovered and oil was also re-

Furthermore, the UK in June 2019 passed The Cli-covered. The results show that the microbubble CO2mate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Or-

injection technique has the potential to improve effi-

der 2019：a legally binding target of net-zero carbon

ciency of CO2 injection, CO2 storage and oil recovery inemissions by 2050.

comparison with conventional ways.

In Norway, there is also a full-scale industrial proj-

This technology of ours draws attentions not only

ect currently being considered. The Norwegian full-

domestically but also internationally. In 2019, we soldscale CCS project is comprised of two capture proj-40

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ects: Heidelberg Norcem cement factory and Fortum

cessing facilities (i.e. CO2 capture plant).

Oslo Varme waste-to-energy plant. The project aims at(2) The global trends of CCS frameworks

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capturing CO2 from these two different sources, which

CCS communities have implemented various ac-

will be transported by ship to an onshore terminal on

tivities to make a transition from large-scale CCS

the Norwegian west coast and from there transported

demonstration projects to commercialized CCS. It is

by pipeline to an offshore storage complex under thealso noteworthy that CCUS was covered by the G20

North Sea (800,000 tonnes in total of CO2 per year).

energy and environment ministerial meeting held in

After completing feasibility studies for CO₂ capture in

Karuizawa, Japan in June 2019, stimulated by recom-

2018, the plants are presently compiling Front End En-

mendations publicized by RITE and C2ES (For details,

gineering Design (FEED) studies for the final invest-

see “Topics”). In its communiqué, the ministers recog-

ment decision, to be taken by the Norwegian Parlia-

nize the potential of CCUS and the need for investment

ment in 2020/21.

in and financing CCUS. In its action plan, they are

Another key event of 2019 happened in October,committed to seek to enhance international coopera-

when the parties of the London Protocol agreed to al-tion on CCUS in relevant existing fora and to encour-low provisional application of the 2009 amendment of

age CCUS research, development and deployment.

Article 6 to the London Protocol allowing for cross-bor-

The CCUS initiative, which was launched at the

der transport and export of CO2 for geological storage

Clean Energy Ministerial meeting (CEM) in May 2018,

in sub-seabed geological formations at the London

initiative will continue to strengthen the framework for

Convention meeting held in London. As a result, thispublic-private collaboration on CCUS throughout finan-

enables contracted countries to implement cross-bor-

cial sectors and webinar to promote the technological

der CCS projects and trading CO2 for the purpose of

deployment. In 2019, ʻCEM CCUS Initiative countriesʼ

geological storage. Such projects will also create op-

and the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) agreed

portunities for shared transport and storage infrastruc-to explore ways to collaborate to accelerate CCUS.

tures and regional hubs and clusters across countries,

This could create further promotion and development

cost efficient and new business models.

of CCUS.

In May, the Central Government of China (Minis-

The Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forumtry of Science and Technology) announced Roadmap(CSLF) is a Ministerial-level international climate

for Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Technology

change initiative that is focused on the development ofDevelopment in China (2019). China aims at es-

improved cost-effective technologies for CCS. The

tab-lishing extensive deployment of large-scale CCUS

technical group of CSLF has emphasized a need forand industrial clusters (80,000,000< tonnes of CO2 perreviewing the past activities and future plans. Theyear) by 2050. Thus, China has actively initiated their

CSLF Technology Roadmap 2017 addressed the glob-

legal system, infrastructure development, and techno-

al CO2 reduction target by using CCS（at least 400 Mt

logical development.

CO2 per year and/or permanent capture and storage of

On August 8, 2019, a CO2 injection system at thein total 1,800 Mt CO2）by 2025, and four technical ap-

operating Gorgon natural gas facility on Barrow Island,

proaches to meet the target: CCS infrastructure devel-

called ʻGorgon projectʼ, was started, off the northwest

opment, sharing knowledge of large-scale demonstra-

coast of Western Australia. It aims at injecting between

tion projects, cost reduction, and a business model.

3.4 and 4 million tonnes of CO2 per year into a deep

Besides these, ʻCO2 utilizationʼ has also been added

underground reservoir (saline aquifer beneath Barrow

under the new approach. The 2019 annual review not-Island. The Gorgon Project is operated by Chevron

ed that it would not be realistic to meet the 2025 target,

Australia and is a joint venture of the Australian subsid-

based on the current status. It further mentioned thatiaries of Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, Osaka Gas, To-

the target would be met, if extensive pub-lic-private

kyo Gas and JERA. JGC Corporation is also part ofpartnership funds become available for building andthis project to support plan and construction of gas pro-

expanding CCS infrastructures.

41

R&D Activities⃝Inorganic Membranes Research Center

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Inorganic Membranes Research Center

Shin-ichi Nakao
Director,
Chief Researcher

Yuichiro Yamaguchi, Deputy Director,
Chief Researcher
Hidetoshi Kita, Chief Researcher
Masahiro Seshimo, Senior Researcher
Kenichiro Yasuhara, Senior Researcher
Makoto Ryoji, Senior Researcher
Hye Ryeon Lee, Researcher
Hajime Nakano, Researcher
Hiromi Urai, Research AssistantNobuaki Oono, Research AssistantKeiko Komono, Research AssistantKazuaki Sasa, Research AssistantChiyoko Shindo, Research AssistantYuko Nara, Research AssistantResearch and Development of Innovative Environmental and Energy
Technologies that Use Inorganic Membranes and Efforts toward
Practical Use and Industrialization
1. Introduction

branes, each of which offers excellent characteristics.

Inorganic membranes, such as silica membranes

We are working on research in ways to more effective-and zeolite membranes, have the features of excellent

ly use the CO2 produced. In the Industrial Collaboration

heat resistance and environmental resistance, in addi-

Department, the Industrialization Strategy Council,

tion to high separation performance, and are expectedwhich consists of 17 companies of inorganic separator

to be applicable to various applications. Compared toand support substrate manufacturers and user compa-

the conventional separation and purification methods

nies, aims to share the vision among manufacturersof distillation and adsorption, inorganic membranes

and user companies by planning joint research. Mem-can save energy, and they are also being developed

ber companies meet regularly to promote activities

for CO2 separation and purification, as well as for hy-

through study groups.

drogen separation and purification, which are indis-

In 2019 during the development of a membrane

pensable for building a hydrogen society. Therefore,

reactor for the dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane

the use of the membranes is attracting a great deal of(MCH) as an efficient hydrogen transport and storage

attention as an environmental and energy technology

technology, we proposed a module structure for massthat contributes to the preservation of the global envi-

production and commercialization to enhance the du-ronment. However, practical application has so far

rability of the membrane reactor in actual operation.

been limited to alcohol dehydration. In the future, inno-

We examined the technology necessary for practicalvative environmental and energy technologies using

use. In addition, we commissioned a new project frominorganic membranes will be required for early com-

the New Energy and Industrial Technology Develop-

mercialization and industrialization.

ment Organization (NEDO) to produce hydrogen from

The

Inorganic

Membrane

ResearchCenter(IMeRC), established in April 2016, comprises two de-the direct decomposition of methane, and started
studying the process.

partments: the Research Department and the Industri-

As for CO2 separation, capture, and utilization

al Cooperation Department. In the Research Depart-(CCU: Carbon Capture and Utilization), we developed

ment, hydrogen separation, purification, manufacturing,a zeolite membrane with high selectivity for water, andseparation, and recovery are performed using silica

applied it to a membrane reactor to enhance the con-

membranes, zeolite membranes, and palladium mem-version rate for methanol. We confirmed that could im-

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prove conversion about three times compared to con-aration membrane and a catalyst are set, MCH is de-version in the reactor. In addition, the Industrialization

hydrated into toluene and hydrogen by an equilibrium

Strategy Council is in full swing with study group activ-

reaction; however, only the generated hydrogen pass-ities aimed at launching a nationally funded project.

es through the hydrogen separation membrane and isThis paper describes the main achievements and fu-

separated from the reaction field. Because the productture prospects of the Research Department in the de-is removed from the reaction field, the reaction shifts tovelopment of membrane reactors for MCH dehydroge-

the product side, which improves the conversion of hy-

nation, hydrogen production from methane, and CCU

drogen production. At the same time, the hydrogentechnology development, as well as the activities of thepassing through the separation membrane becomes

Industrialization Strategy Council.

high purity hydrogen with no toluene, so that hydrogen
purification and improvement in reaction efficiency si-

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

multaneously proceed.
This work was funded by NEDO as part of the Ad-

The development of efficient hydrogen transporta-

vancement of Hydrogen Technologies and Utilization

tion and storage methods is essential for building a hy-

Project for the analysis and development of hydrogendrogen-based society. The proposed concept for an

as an energy carrier and the development of a dehy-energy carrier is a promising method for concerting

drogenation system using inorganic hydrogen separa-hydrogen into chemical hydrides that can be efficiently

tion membranes for organic chemical hydrides in col-transported and stored, such as MCH and ammonia.

laboration with Chiyoda Corporation.

Chemical hydrides are transported and stored to takeIn the membrane reactor study, improvement inout hydrogen at the place and time as required (Fig. 1).

the reaction efficiency of the dehydrogenation reaction
from the MCH using several silica membranes wasachieved as a result of the development.

Fig. 1 : Energy Carrier

The technology for converting hydrogen to MCH
or ammonia has already been established for mass
production, but hydrogen extraction technology has
not yet been developed as a definitive method.

Fig. 2 : Diagram of a tubular single membrane reactor

The IMeRC develops membrane reactors using a

In order to verify this phenomenon on an actual

silica membrane, which is prepared by counter-diffu-

scale, we designed and fabricated a test apparatus

sion chemical vapor deposition (CVD) for the purpose

composed of three 500 mmL silica membranes; as aof developing and commercializing efficient, stable pro-result, the evaluation verified the remarkable equilibri-

duction of pure hydrogen from MCH for small- to medi-

um shift using 500 mmL silica membranes and the con-um-sized customers, such as commercial establish-

version rate of 95% or more, which was significantly

ments and office buildings.

higher than the equilibrium conversion rate of 42.1%

The mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 2. When MCH(Fig. 3).

is fed into a reaction at 300°C where a hydrogen sep-43

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Therefore, in the second prototype module, a flat
metal and six membranes were joined, and the shape
was made into a flange structure to maintain airtightness with a structure that could be easily removed.
The second prototype module was assembled in atest device as shown in Fig. 5, and the improvement
Fig. 3 : Operation result of the bench-scale membrane reactor

effect from the heat transfer structure corresponding to
the endothermic reaction of MCH was evaluated. The

However, this study of the membrane reactor re-

results are shown in Fig. 6. In addition to the conver-vealed the problem of sealing at the same time. In asion rate exceeding the equilibrium conversion rate,

membrane reactor, it is necessary to have airtight seals

the heat supply from the outside was efficiently trans-

for the ceramic membranes with a metallic reactor, so

mitted by installing a fin inside the reaction tube, andrubber seals, such as O-rings, have been adopted.

the conversion rate was further improved.

However, since the reaction field is exposed to organic
solvents like MCH and toluene at high temperaturesand high pressures, durability of the rubber seals wasa problem. In addition, a conventional membrane reactor has a complicated structure with an independent
reactor for each membrane and has the problem of requiring many person-hours for production and maintenance. The sealing structures were investigated, and a
module structure was developed to address the problem of durability for pressure, temperature, and sol-Fig. 5 : Membrane reactor for the silica module

vents; even at 300°C, it was easy to attach and detach the multiple integrated tubes from the reactor. The
developed prototype module with this structure isshown in Fig. 4.
The first prototype silica module was made to bundle three silica membrane tubes using a glass binder tobond the ceramics to metal with different expansion
coefficients, and airtightness was confirmed at 300°C
and 500 kPa-G. On the other hand, when the numberof tubes is increased, it becomes difficult to fasten witha ferrule.

Fig. 6 : Evaluation results of the secondary prototype

A 1500-hour durability test was performed using asingle-tube membrane reactor. The test results areshown in Fig. 7. Although there was a slight decreasein the hydrogen permeability due to the adhesion of thetoluene film surface in the initial stage, stable operation
was possible, and a reduction in the conversion after
15,000 hours from extrapolation was estimated at
Fig. 4 : Silica membrane module using glass binder and reactor

about 20%, which shows practical durability.

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version at 600°C. For (3), the construction of the evaluation device has been completed and the evaluation
has just started. In the future, we plan to demonstrate
the effectiveness of the membrane reactor application.

Fig. 7 : Durability test of single tube membrane reactor

Through these studies, RITE has demonstrated
that hydrogen generation from MCH can be designed
compactly in a membrane reactor using a high performance silica membrane on a bench scale.
3. Development of CO2-free hydrogen production
technology by methane decomposition
In order to build a hydrogen society, a method isFig. 8 : Application of membrane reactor to the hydrogenproduction process by methane decomposition

4. Development of CCU Technology

required to produce hydrogen at low cost and in large

Since the fiscal year of 2018, RITE, JFE Steelquantities. Focusing on methane, which can be sup-Corporation, the Institute of Applied Energy (IAE), IN-

plied stably for a long time from the shale gas revolu-

PEX Corporation, and Hitachi Zosen Corporation havetion, hydrogen and solid carbon are produced by pyrol-

collaborated in the technological development of next

ysis, and hydrogen production costs can be reduced

generation thermal power generation, next generation

by selling the carbon byproduct. We started to study

thermal power development of power generation infra-

the technology. Our goal was efficient, energy-saving

structure technology, and the development of technol-hydrogen production by improving the conversion rate

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

via a membrane reactor. In addition, the process has

In this project, our goal was to establish promising

the advantage of not emitting carbon dioxide and is a

future CCU (carbon capture and utilization) technolo-

technological development that contributes to a decar-

gies in anticipation of fiscal year 2030 and beyond andbonized society.

to further grant industrial competitiveness to Japanʼs

Adopted as a contracted project of NEDO in FY

excellent clean coal technology (CCT). We plan to2019, the objective was the (1) development of a se-comprehensively evaluate CCU technologies for thelective hydrogen permeable membrane with a heat re-effective use of CO2 in the product manufacturing pro-sistance of 500°C or higher required for methane de-cess and system with the aim of establishing CCU

composition, (2) development of a catalyst to efficiently

technology. At the Inorganic Membranes Researchdecompose methane in a membrane reactor, and (3)Center, a novel zeolite membrane for dehydration was

the development of reactors and a demonstration of

successfully developed with relatively high durability

their effectiveness as the defined development items

under hydrothermal conditions. The zeolite membrane(Fig. 8).

was applied to the membrane reactor for a methanol

For (1), silica membranes and palladium mem-

synthesis reaction. We demonstrated that the mem-branes are candidates for hydrogen separation mem-brane reactor achieved high methanol production,branes, and the guidelines for membrane formation

which exceeded the thermodynamic equilibrium limita-

are being narrowed down through experiments and lit-

tion (Fig. 9).

erature surveys. For (2), we have narrowed down thetypes of catalysts based on a literature search andstudied catalyst types that are close to equilibrium con-45

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c) Acceptance of researchers from council members
to the Research Section of the IMeRC and Implementation of training workshopsd) Offering technical guidance from the IMeRC Advisory Board and Research Sectione) Hosting exclusive technology seminars for council
membersf) Offering exclusive supply services (Needs andFig. 9: Performance of membrane reactor for methanol synthesis

Seeds Technology Information) to council members

In addition, a methanol synthesis membrane reac-

As for Research Group activities, we have been

tor simulator was constructed, and the results showed

conducting various studies at the following two re-good agreement with the experimental results. From

search groups set up in November 2016:the viewpoint of dehydration using inorganic mem-a) CO2 Separation Research Groupbranes, our novel zeolite membrane has extremelyb) Common Base (Reliability Evaluation Method)high water permselective performance that can be ap-

Research Group

plied to hydration processes such as water/methanol,

In fiscal 2019, we conducted in-depth surveys andethanol or IPA binary mixtures. Prof. Kita (Yamaguchi

studies through activities by both the Research Group

University) is working on the development of inorganicand its subsidiary research workshop (each Researchcarbon membranes, and Prof. Hasebe (Kyoto Univer-Group had three to four meetings, respectively, up-tosity) is working for the process development toward thethe end of 2019), and they are preparing for projects

same end.

aiming at practicalapplication funded at government

expense. The Common Base Research Group has
5. Activities and efforts toward commercializationand industrialization

started a preliminary test of accelerated deterioration
for zeolite membranes. The plan is to start up a nation-

The Industry Collaboration Section of the IMeRC

al funded project in 2021 by acquiring basic data on

established the Industrialization Strategy Council on

establishing long-term reliability. The CO2 Separation

April 15, 2016. Our goal isto establish an inorganic

Research Group has been conducting a study under

membrane industry that contributes to innovative envi-

the theme of “Applicability of inorganic membrane toronmental and energy technologies by promoting anatural gas separation with high CO2 concentration.”common vision for manufacturers and user compa-

In addition, exclusive technology seminars fornies, as well as a joint research plan involving national

council members are held three times each year inprojects and other initiatives. To realize this goal, we

which the latest R&D trends, needs, and seeds are in-are promoting a variety of activities, which include thetroduced in a total of nine lectures given by IMeRC ad-

following:

visory board members, member companies, and thea) Sponsoring needs and seeds matching meetings

IMeRC with active discussions among participants. At

toward the practical use of innovative environmen-

the same time, a site tour of the hydrogen production

tal and energy technologies that use inorganic

plant from used plastics was held at the Kawasaki

membranes, and the establishment and operation

Plant of Showa Denko KK and was well received byof a research group that will prepare a future road-participants.

mapb) Planning joint implementation projects funded by
the government and NEDO

The participants are pleased to take part in theseminars, not only because they can acquire knowledge of inorganic membranes, which is useful in pro-46

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moting the practical use and industrialization of theworking on since its establishment. In addition, we

membranes, but also because they have the opportu-

started a new hydrogen production project from meth-nity to interact with other frontline researchers fromane, which is funded by NEDO, and steadily achieved

member companies and organizations.

results in research and development using CO2 more

In November 2019, a two-day training workshop

effectively. On the other hand, the activities toward

was held at Gifu University. Lectures including an out-practical application and Industrialization for realizationline of Pd membranes and membrane reactors, Pdof R & D results are also in full swing, as the IMeRC itmembrane separation technologies, and experiments

can be said that the foundation is solidifying. Going for-on membrane formation methods and guidance onward, we will work diligently to become the core orga-

performance and evaluation methods for preparednization that leads the development and commercial-membranes were provided at the workshop. The par-ization of inorganic membranes worldwide.

ticipants were able to acquire knowledge on the mostadvanced Pd membrane formation and evaluation experiment methods and to gain valuable experience.
(Fig. 10)

Fig. 10 : E
 xclusive training workshop for young researchers at Gifu
University

We also conduct patent and literature surveys related to the seminar lectures and periodically provide
council members with Needs and Seeds Technology
Information, which has special comments from theIMeRC in the abstract.
In addition, we support the various activities ofcouncil members toward promoting the practical use
and industrialization of inorganic membranes by providing a summary of the remarkable lectures at the international conference on inorganic membranes with
RITE comments.
6. In conclusion
In 2019, we focused on practical application technology for dehydrogenation from MCH using hydrogen
separation membranes, which the IMeRC has been

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Research & Coordination Group

Research & Coordination Group

IPCC Symposium “To Think about Measures
for Mitigation of Global Warming“

Symposium in Kansai on Global Warming
Mitigation Technology for Future Society- Special Report on the impacts of Global Warming of 1.5℃
(SR1.5) and 6th Assessment Report (AR6) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI) and RITE hold an IPCC symposium, inviting Dr.
Jim Skea, co-chair of IPCC Working Group III that assesses certain options for mitigating climate change
through limiting or preventing greenhouse gas emissions. Dr. Skea delivered keynote lecture on the overview of SR1.5, and the important points and issues tobe addressed in the AR6, as well as the procedure for
writing and reviewing of the IPCC reports. Moreover,
Dr. Keigo Akimoto and Dr. Kanako Tanaka delivered
speeches, respectively, on the subjects of the emission
pathways and mitigation costs for achieving below
1.5℃ and the impacts of low energy demand scenarios
and the expectations to industry sector seen from
IPCC reports. In addition, a panel discussion on expectations, issues regarding IPCC and how to tackle global warming was held by Dr. Skea and some Japaneseexperts with many questions and comments from participants in the hall.
Date: 6 March 2019
Venue: Hall B, Toranomon Hills Forum (Tokyo)
Organization: METI
Co-organization: RITE
Number of participants: 269
Program:・Keynote lecture “Building on the IPCC Reports:
Plans for the Working Group III Sixth Assessment
Report” Jim Skea (Co-chair of IPCC Working GroupIII)
・Lecture-1 “The emission pathways and mitigation
costs for achieving below 1.5℃ and the impacts oflow energy demand scenarios” Keigo Akimoto(RITE)
・Lecture-2 “Expectations to industry sector seen from
IPCC reports” Kanako Tanaka (Japan Science andTechnology Agency)
・Panel Discussion“Expectations, issues regarding IPCC and how totackle global warming”
Moderator, Mitsutsune Yamaguchi (RITE)
Panelists, Jim Skea (IPCC), Keigo Akimoto (RITE),
Kanako Tanaka (Japan Science and Technology
Agency), Hiroyuki Tezuka (Keidanren), Yoshiki Yamagata (National Institute for Environmental Studies)

RITE holds the annual Innovative Environment
Technology Symposium in Tokyo as a platform to report our latest research results. To welcome more participants from Kansai, we organized this event in Osaka, following last year.
This time, we had Mr. Motohiko Nishimura from
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. deliver a special lecture. Under the theme of “Technical demonstration
starting in 2020: Initiatives by Kawasaki Heavy Industries toward the establishment of international hydrogen supply chains,” he presented the necessity of hydrogen energy and the companyʼs global hydrogen
supply chain projects. It was an easy-to-understandlecture which was supported by video and CG, with theintroduction of their cutting-edge technology and othertopics.
We hosted a poster session this year for the firsttime, which invoked an active exchange of opinions
among participants and our researchers. Through aquestionnaire, we received many comments from participants saying that the event was very informativeand helpful. The event served as a wonderful opportunity for people in Kansai to learn about RITEʼs researchand development activities.
Date: 26 September 2019
Venue: Osaka Science & Technology Center (OSTEC)
Number of participants: 182
Program:・Special lecture: Technical demonstration starting in
2020: Initiatives by Kawasaki Heavy Industries toward the establishment of international hydrogen
supply chains
Motohiko Nishimura, Associate Officer, General
Manager, Hydrogen Project Development Center,
Corporate Technology Div., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
・The global energy system of long-term decarbonization -The role of hydrogen and electricityK eigo Akimoto, Group Leader, Systems Analysis Group・Development of biorefinery technology to realize asustainable society
Masayuki Inui, Group Leader, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group・Development status and future prospects toward thepractical use of CO2 capture technology
Katsunori Yogo, Associate Chief Researcher,
Chemical Research Group・Initiatives for the development of safety control technology, aimed at the practical use of undergroundCO2 storage
Ziqiu Xue, Group Leader, CO2 Storage ResearchGroup・Initiatives toward the practical use of inorganic membranes to realize a hydrogen-based societyYuichiro Yamaguchi, Deputy-Director, Inorganic
Membranes Research Center48

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Research & Coordination Group

Systems Analysis Group

Innovative Environmental
Technology Symposium 2019

Winning of 2018 Masaji Yoshikawa Memorial
Prize for Fusion Energy Excellence Prize~Taking on challenges toward a low-carbon society~
RITE hosts this symposium every year as a platform to report our latest research results. This year, asa guest speaker, we invited Mr. Tomoyoshi Yahagi,
Deputy Director-General for Environmental Affairs at
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI),
who had just returned from COP25. He gave a summary of the negotiations at COP25, activities at the Japan
Pavilion, and the trend of climate change policies inother countries. As the keynote lecture, Dr. Yamaji, Senior Vice-President/Director-General of RITE, talked
about recent trends in energy and environmental innovation, as well as the importance of drastic innovationin technologies related to energy and the prevention of
global warming to promote the shift to a zero CO2emission society. Representatives from each Groupand Center at RITE gave lectures about their latest research results and future prospects. At the poster session, active discussions took place between participants and researchers. The event attracted almost 500
participants, indicating peopleʼs growing interest inenvironmental issues.
Date: 18 December 2019
Venue: Ito hall, The University of Tokyo
Number of participants: 491
Program:・Guest Speech: About COP25
Tomoyoshi Yahagi, Deputy Director-General for
Environmental Affairs, METI・Keynote Speech: Stimulating innovation to realize a
low-carbon society
Kenji Yamaji, Senior Vice President/Director-General
・Evaluating energy system transition towards decarbonized society
Keigo Akimoto, Group Leader, Systems Analysis
Group・Research on the practical use of CO2 capture technology and future prospects
Shin-ichi Nakao, Group Leader, Chemical Research Group・Initiatives for the development of safety control technology, aimed at the practical use of undergroundCO2 storage
Ziqiu Xue, Group Leader, CO2 Storage ResearchGroup・Development of green bioprocess for the realizationof decarbonized society
Masayuki Inui, Group Leader, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group・Initiatives toward the development of inorganic
membranes for practical application and the realization of a low-carbon society
Shin-ichi Nakao, Director, Inorganic Membranes
Research Center

Dr. Gi, Researcher (current Senior Researcher) of
the Systems Analysis Group, has been awarded the2018 Masaji Yoshikawa Memorial Prize for Fusion Energy Excellence Prize of Fusion Energy Forum of Japan (FEFJ).
The prize aims to manifest excellent achievements performed worldwide by young people in fundamental investigation, research and technology development activities for realization of fusion energy, andthe excellence prize is given to the work recognized as
especially outstanding.
Dr. Gi was awarded the excellence prize for his
research paper “Energy scenarios analysis for longterm fusion energy development strategy”, in which heanalyzed the market potential of fusion energy up to2100 with energy system models considering global
environmental issues and the characteristics of eachregion in the world. It clarified that fusion energy could
have significant market potential in some regions
where competitive power generation costs wereachieved and indicated its technology development
goals along with mechanisms determined by energy
market trends. This result shows the value and potential of fusion energy in the new global energy market
after the Paris Agreement and is expected to be a reference for the future research and development of fusion energy and the improvement of its social acceptance.
The award ceremony was held in the 12th Plenary
Meeting of FEFJ at Tohoku University on 13th February of 2019, where a certificate and incentive were bestowed on Dr. Gi.

49

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Systems Analysis GroupFY2018 ALPS International SymposiumInternational Workshop on
Energy Demand

Challenges to harmonized achievement of economic
growth and long-term deep emissions reduction
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 and each country has submitted
its own GHG emission reduction targets for 2030 (or2025). Also, discussions on long-term GHG reduction
beyond 2050 are becoming active facing submission ofits low emissions development plan. Under recognitionof various risks of climate change, ALPS International
Symposium was held to disseminate the researchachievements of the project. Lectures were presented
by eminent specialists from the various viewpoints
such as the possibility of future low demand scenarios
due to technological and social innovations.
Date 19th February 2019
Venue Toranomon Hills Forum (Tokyo)
Organized by RITE
Co-organized by METI
Number of participants 278
Program・Policy trends of Japan and the world, and scenariosof long-range strategy for deep CO2 emissions reduction
Kenji Yamaji, Director-General, RITE
・Disruptive technologies and sustainable lifestyles toward net-zero emissions
Nebojsa Nakicenovic, Deputy Director General/Deputy CEO, IIASA・Assessing company climate policy risk ̶a scientificfoundation for companies, investors, and others̶
Steven Rose, Senior Research Economist & Technical Executive, Energy and Environmental Analysis
Research Group, EPRI
・Insights on electricity transitions from the World Energy Outlook 2018
Yasmine Arsalane, Senior Energy Analyst, World
Energy Outlook, IEA・Are we entering a new golden age of energy productivity improvement?
Koji Nomura, Professor, Keio Economic Observatory, Keio University
・General purpose technology and global warming
Taishi Sugiyama, Research Director, The Canon Institute for Global Studies
・Deep emission reduction for transportation sector
Jari Kauppila, Head of Quantitative Policy Analysis
and Foresight, International Transport Forum, OECD・Alternative strategies for sustainable development
and deep decarbonization ̶Renewed focus on
end-use, efficiency, granularity, and digitalization̶
Arnulf Grübler, Acting Program Director, Transitions
to New Technologies, IIASA
・Innovations of products, services and social systems, and their impacts on climate change mitigation
measures
Keigo Akimoto, Group Leader, Systems Analysis
Group, RITE

２０２０

To make strides toward decarbonization from theperspective of 2050 and beyond, a virtuous cycle ofenvironment and growth and as well as paradigm shift
which promotes business-driven technological innovation are required. Although IPCC published a special
report of 1.5°
C in 2018, its quantitative and comprehensive analysis have not been sufficient yet. In orderto actualize the virtuous cycle, it is extremely importantfor global research communities to deeply discuss energy demand scenarios and find a future direction.
Therefore, RITE and the International Institute forApplied Systems Analysis (IIASA) held a workshop to
examine opportunities and issues of the low energy
demand society with modelers, social scientists, economists, engineers and practitioners in various fields.
At the workshop, various initiatives to reduce energy demand were introduced, such as lower energy
consumption office buildings, car-sharing simulations
at the city level, and quantification evaluation using international integrated models. The importance of taking energy demand from a service perspective, controlling not only greenhouse gas emissions, but also awider range of SDGs and working with policy makers
has been also indicated.
Date 11-13th November 2019
Venue IIASA (Laxenburg, Austria)
Organized by RITE, IIASA
Co-organized by METI
Number of participants 57 (19 countries)

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Systems Analysis Group

Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group

COP25 Side Event
Global Climate Change Policy

Collaboration with the JAL
biojet fuel ﬂight project

The RITE side events at COP25 in Spain were held

Aviation is responsible for 2% of worldwide anthro-both in Japan Pavilion and UNFCCC side event room,

pogenic CO2 emissions. Because it is difficult to re-to disseminate achievements of joint research with RFF,

place jet fuel with electricity, biojet fuel made from non-covering scientific comparative evaluation of Nationallyfood biomass as a raw material is expected to

Determined Contributions (NDCs) and their impacts oncontribute to solving the global warming problem with-economy and international competitiveness.

out causing food shortages. Given these circumstanc-After an introduction by Dr. Kopp of RFF, Dr.

es, RITE began technical cooperation with the Japan

Akimoto presented RITEʼs comparative analyses ofAirlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) project “Letʼs fly with 100,000

marginal abatement costs (MACs) of NDCs across na-

used clothes!” in October 2018.

tions and their economic impacts, arguing that coordi-

This project aims to produce biojet fuel from usednation of NDCs through reviewing process is crucial

clothes collected from across the country by JAL andbecause large differences in MACs may hinder effi-

JEPLAN, INC. Ltd. The Green Earth Institute Co., Ltd.,

cient emissions reduction. He also pointed that innova-

which was established in 2011 for the industrialization

tion both in energy supply side and demand side isof RITE Bioprocess, is participating in this project andnecessary towards 2℃ target and deeper emissions

is responsible for: the production of isobutanol from thereduction, due to the difficulty of realizing international

cotton fibers in used clothes, and producing biojet fuelcoordination with assumed high carbon prices.

that conforms to the international standard ASTM

Speakers including Prof. Aldy (Harvard Univ.), Dr.

D7566 Annex 5.

Verdolini (EIEE), Dr. Parrado (EIEE), and Prof. Arima

Corynebacterium glutamicum R, which was devel-(the University of Tokyo) pointed out the need for in-

oped by RITE, is a key component in the production ofcreasing transparency of climate change policy throughisobutanol. It is possible to use the RITE Bioprocess®

NDC evaluations, as well as the importance of innova-

to efficiently produce isobutanol from sugars after thetion contributing to the reduction of mitigation costs.

saccharification of used cotton fibers, which is an inno-

Date 11th December 2019vative bioprocess invented by RITE.

Venue COP25 Japan Pavilion

Despite the various challenges of scaling up from

Organized by RITE

the lab level to the business level, this project aims to

Co-organized by RFF

operate in 2020 Japanʼs first chartered flight runningon this biojet fuel.
Coryneformbacteria

RITE Bioprocess®

Cellulosic non-food biomass(recycled cotton clothes)Rawmaterials

Date 12th December 2019
Venue COP25 UNFCCC side event
Organized by RITE, RFF

Pretreatment

Saccharification

C8H18
C12H26
C16H34 ・・

Isoparaffin-basedhydrocarbon

Mixed withconventional jet fuelIsobutanol
production

Concentration &purification of isobutanol
iso-butanol
C4H10OOH

Dehydration,
Oligomerization“RITE Bioprocess” is a registered trademark of RITE.
（トピックス JAL）

51

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Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group

BioJapan 2019
The World Business Forumʼs “BioJapan 2019” was held at PACIFICO Yokohama on October 9-11, 2019, alongwith Regenerative Medicine JAPAN 2019. Many companies, government agencies, universities, and so on from Japan and overseas participated; the number of exhibitors was 974 (879 in 2019) and the number of visitors was 17,512(16,309 in 2018), both being the largest ever.
RITE had a joint booth at the exhibition in collaboration with Green Chemicals Co., Ltd. (GCC).

We also had exhibits that included various samples and pictures, such as several types of non-foodbiomass; amino acids, including L-alanine and L-valine, which are commercial products made by GEI using the RITE Bioprocess; GEIʼs ethanol for cosmetics;
and green phenolic moldings from GCC.

In the booth, we introduced our key technologies,
as well as our current projects funded by METI and
NEDO. We also explained the activities of Green Earth
Institute Co., Ltd. (GEI) by giving examples of the commercial uses of the RITE Bioprocess, and technologies

Nearly 120 people from various industries, univer-for producing green-aromatic compounds, together

sities, and governments came to the RITE/GCC boothwith our introduction to GCC. We displayed the follow-

during the three-day exhibition, and they eagerly asked

ing posters in the exhibition booth.

questions to the RITE researcher, who gave explana-

1) New trends in biotechnological production ortions. This made us realize the great expectations fromgreen-aromatic compounds

2) RITE Core Technology: Biorefinery3) Smart Cell Project4) Development of technologies for functional designbiorefinery as a technology.
We would like to extend our appreciation to all
those who attended this event and visited our booth.

and production or innovative biomaterials5) R&D of Biofuels (Bio-butanol／Bio-hydrogen)6) R&D for a novel bioprocess to produce 100% green
jet fuel7) Green Chemicals Co., Ltd. (GCC)

8) Green Earth Institute Co., Ltd. (GEI)9) Collaboration with the JAL biojet fuel flight project52

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Chemical Research Group

CO2 Storage Research Group

Fifth Post Combustion Capture
Conference (PCCC-5)

International CCUS Roundtable andRecommendations for G20 in Japan

RITE hosted the fifth Post Combustion Capture
Conference (PCCC-5) in Kyoto on 17 –19 September
2019. PCCC is organized by IEAGHG (IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme) every two years, andpast conferences were held in UAE, Norway, Canada,
and the United States. This time, around 140 participants from 19 countries gathered with great success.
Technical sessions with 74 oral presentations and
11 poster presentations prompted lively discussions by
experts from Japan and abroad. Plenary and keynote
presentations from Japan were good opportunities toshow off the competitiveness of the PCC technicalfield.
RITE also described the latest achievements inchemical absorption, solid sorbents, and membrane
separation. In addition, a site visit to the Kansai ElectricPower / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering (Osaka City) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Akashi City)
was held the day after the conference.
We would like to thank all visitors for the successof PCCC-5.
Date: 17–19 September 2019
Venue: Hotel Granvia Kyoto (Kyoto, Japan)
Host: IEAGHG, RITE

Sponsors: IHI, KHI, Toshiba, MHI Eng. CO2CRC,
DOE, Southern Company/NCCC
Sessions: Demonstration, Technologies, Modelling,
Environment, Industries, Cost, etc.

Since Japan planned to host the G20 meetings inJune 2019, RITE, prior to them, hosted an international
Carbon dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage(CCUS) roundtable and developed based on discus-sions there to publicize recommendations to G20.
RITE, in conjunction with a US think tank the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) and funded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI), organized the roundtable in Washington DC in
the USA on 13−14 February 2019. The meeting wasattended by more than 60 from governments, major
companies in the energy and financial sectors, international organizations and NGOs in 11 countries, including Japanʼs Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy,
Trade and Industry, a US senator and US Under Secretary of Energy. The participants discussed longitudinal perspectives, the state of CCUS and opportunities
for international collaboration, policies, financing, andknowledge sharing and international collaboration, andthen explored recommendations for strengthening international collaboration to accelerate the deploymentof CCUS at the G20 summit in Japan.
The final recommendations were released in
March 2019, namely.
- to highlight the importance and benefits of CCUS andto call for stronger action to advance the deploymentof CCUS in the communiqués of the energy and environ-ment ministerial meeting and the summit,- to develop joint action plans on CCUS and to integrate CCUS in national action plans to be developed
by individual G20 members, and- to promote carbon recycling.
In the communiqué of the G20 Karuizawa energy
and environment ministerial meeting, the ministers recognize the potential of CCUS and the need for investment in and financing CCUS. In its action plan, they
are committed to seek to enhance international cooperation on CCUS in relevant existing fora and to encourage CCUS research, development and deployment. CCUS is also referred to in six national actionplans out of 16 submitted to the G20. We can say that
our recommendations were by and large incorporated
and we believe that RITE contributed to the success of
the Japan-hosted G20 meetings.

Source: METI web site, (https://www.meti.go.jp/pre
ss/2018/02/20190215006/20190215006.html)

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CO2 Storage Research Group

Inorganic Membranes Research Center

CCS Technical Workshop 2020

Inorganic Membrane Environment and Energy
Technology Symposium to Explore the Future

The commercialization of CCS technology requires not only technical development but also socialand economic improvements in economics, publicawareness, and incentives for the private sector. The
CCS Technical Workshop 2020 provided an opportunity of learning initiatives for the commercialization ofCO2 geological storage and CO2-enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) in the United States and Norway. The
workshop was concluded with update on research anddevelopment in the Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage Technology Research Association, Japan.
Date: 23 January 2020
Venue: Toranomon Hills Forum (Tokyo)
Organizer: The Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage
Technology Research Association
Co-organization: The Ministry of Economy, Trade andindustry (METI) / the New Energy
and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)
Number of Participants: 378
Program:
Talk1-1: Scaling up to industrial CCUS projects: A regional perspective, North Dakota, USA
John Hamling, Assistant director for Integrated
Projects, Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), University of North Dakota, USA
Talk1-2:Red Trail Energy (RTE) Carbon Capture andStorage (CCS) Project
Dustin Willett, Chief operating officer, RTE, North
Dakota, USA
Talk2:Creating value from CO2 monitoring
Prof. Sally Benson, Co-director, Precourt Institutefor Energy Professor, Energy Resources Engineering Department, Stanford University, USA
Talk3: CarbonSAFE Illinois
Steven Whittaker, Director, Energy & Minerals, Illinois State Geological Survey University of Illinois,
USA
Talk4: CO2 storage technology and pathway to global
scale-up
Philip Ringrose, Specialist, Reservoir Geoscience,
Equinor ASA Adjunct Professor, NTNU, Norway
Talk5:Efforts to develop safety management technology in Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage Technology Research Association
Ziqiu Xue, General Manager, Technical division,
Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage Technology
Research Association

In this symposium, under the theme of carbon recycling, universities, companies, and general foundations gave lectures on the latest trends in hydrogenproduction technology and CO2 separation and recovery technology and their efforts for practical use. The
latest research results of the Inorganic Membranes
Research Center (IMeRC) and the activities of the Industrialization Strategy Council were also introduced.
We received favorable comments from visitors,
such as “I was able to see the potential for new innovation by combining elemental technologies of CO2 separation, methanation, and membrane reactors using
inorganic membranes. The content was very suggestive of the potential for CCU and carbon recycling.”
Program :・Keynote Lecture: Expectations and prospects for energy and environmental innovation, Kenji Yamaji,
Senior Vice President RITE・Lecture ①: Hydrogen, hydrocarbons and CO2 related solid catalyst processes and possibility for membrane applications, Yasushi Sekine, Professor,
Waseda University
・Lecture ②: Research and development on integration between methanation and CO2 capture, Koyo
Norinaga, Professor, Nagoya University
・Lecture ③:

Power to Gas for low carbon Society;the role of methanation, Yoshiaki Shibata, Manager,
New and Renewable Energy Group,・Lecture ④:

JGCʼs effort for CO2 separation pro-

cess using DDR-type zeolite membrane, Nobuyasu
Chikamatsu, Group Leader, JGC Corporation Oil &Gas Project Company Technology Innovation Center・Activity report: Recent research in Inorganic Membranes Research Center and future development,
Shin-ichi Nakao, Director, IMReC, RITE

54

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.

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 GroupFY2018 ALPS International Symposium
19 Feb. 2019

・Venue：Toranomon Hills Forum・Organizer：RITE
・Number of participants：278

Systems Analysis
Group

IPCC Symposium “To Think about Measures for Mitigation of Global Warming”
6 Mar. 201926 Sep. 20197 Nov. 2019

・Venue：Toranomon Hills Forum・Organizer：Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
・Co-Organizer：RITE
・Number of participants：269

Symposium in Kansai on Global Warming Mitigation Technology for
Future Society
・Venue：Osaka Science & Technology Center・Organizer：RITE
・Number of participants：182

Inorganic Membrane Environment and Energy Technology Symposium
to Explore the Future
・Venue：Ito Hall・Organizer：RITE
・Number of participants：191

Innovative Environmental Technology Symposium 201918 Dec. 2018

・Venue：Ito Hall・Organizer：RITE
・Number of participants：491

Research &Coordination
Group

Research &Coordination
Group

Inorganic
Membranes
Research Center

Research &Coordination
Group

Symposium for Innovative CO2 Separation Technology
20 Jan. 2020

・Venue：Ito Hall・Organizer：RITE, Molecular Gate Membrane module Technology Research Association(MGMTRA)・Number of participants：294

ChemicalResearch GroupCCS Technical Workshop 2020
23 Jan. 2020

・Venue：Toranomon Hills Forum・Organizer：Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage Technology Research Association (GCS)・Number of participants：378

CO2 Storage
Research Group56

Outreach Activities 

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Exhibitions
Dates
25 Sep.
2019

9-11 Oct.
2019

Event Description

Related Dept.

International Conference on Carbon Recycling 2019

Molecular Microbiology
and Biotechnology
Group, Chemical
Research Group

BioJapan 2019

Molecular Microbiology
and Biotechnology
Group

Venue：Hotel New Otani Tokyo
Organizer：Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
Venue：Paciﬁco Yokohama
Organizer：BioJapan Organizing Committee,JTB Communication Design, Inc.

Press Releases
Date

Title

11 Jan. 2019

Announcement of FY2018 ALPS International Symposium

6 Feb. 2019

Announcement of IPCC Symposium “To Think about Measures for Mitigation of Global Warming”

13 Feb. 2019

Announcement of International Roundtable: Strengthening Collaboration on Carbon Capture, Utilization andStorage (CCUS) in Washington, D.C.

28 Mar. 2019

Recommendations to Strengthen International Collaboration on CCUS to G20 governments

2 Jul. 2019

Announcement of Symposium in Kansai on Global Warming Mitigation Technology for Future Society

12 Sep. 2019

Announcement of Inorganic Membrane Environment and Energy Technology Symposium to Explore the Future

23 Oct. 2019

Announcement of Symposium for Innovative CO2 Separation Technology

28 Oct. 2019

Announcement of Innovative Environmental Technology Symposium 2019

3 Dec. 2019

Announcement of CCS Technical Workshop 202023 Dec. 2019

Announcement of IPCC Symposium “Measures for Mitigating Climate Change that We Should Take Now”

Environmental Education◇Facility Visit Program and Lecture
Date

Participants

Number ofparticipants

21 Jan.

Seikaminami Junior High School

4

31 Jan.

Kizugawadai Elementary School

31

19 Apr.

TOKIWA Inc.

63

30 MaySeisho High School

39

21 Jun.

Ritsumeikan Senior High School24

12 Jul.

Tezukayama Junior High School

23

31 Jul.

Nishimaizuru High School

6

7 Aug.

Nara Prefectural Super Science High School Students

16

21 Aug.

Nishiyamatogakuen Junior High School24

19 Sep.

Naragakuen Tomigaoka Junior High School15

2 Oct.

Izumo Senior High School40

11 Oct.

MASUDA Senior High School

20

15 Nov.

Seikanishi Junior High School

6◇Workshop and Exhibition
Date
26 Jan.
Jul. – Aug.

Title
KEIHANNA Science Festival 2019
Craft and Science Experiment to Learn about the Future Energy

Number ofparticipants
102
-

57

2019 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Directors
Original Paper
Title
1

Towards net zero CO2 emissions without relying on
massive carbon dioxide removal

Researchers
Y. Kaya, M. Yamaguchi, O. Geden

JournalSustainability Science, Vol.14, pp.1739–
1743, 2019

Oral Presentation (Domestic Academic Society)Title
1

Exploring ultimate objective of climate strategies
through reviewing role of IPCC

Researchers
Mitsutsune Yamaguchi

Forum
Society for Environmental Economics andPolicy Studies (SEEPS) 2019 Annual
Conference, Sep. 28, 2019

Systems Analysis Group
Original Paper
Title

Researchers

JournalAn analysis on changes in risks of high temperatureand precipitation days due to climate change in global
major urban areas

A. Hayashi, M. Kii

Journal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers,
Ser. D3 (Infrastructure Planning andManagement), Issue 74, No. 5, I 379-I
387, Jan. 10, 20192

Japan's long-term climate mitigation policy: Multi-model
assessment and sectoral challenges

Masahiro Sugiyama, Shinichiro
Fujimori, Kenichi Wada, Seiya Endo,
Yasumasa Fujii, Ryoichi Komiyama,
Etsushi Kato, Atushi Kurosawa, Yuhji
Matsuo, Ken Oshiro, Fuminori Sano,
Hiroto Shiraki

Energy, Volume 167, pp 1120-1131, Jan. 1,
2019

3

A model-based analysis on energy systems transition
for climate change mitigation and ambient particulatematter 2.5 concentration reduction

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for
K. Gi, F. Sano, A. Hayashi, K. Akimoto Global Change, Volume 24, Issue 2, pp.
181-204, Feb. 1, 20194

The role of methane in future climate strategies:
mitigation potentials and climate impacts

H. Mathijs, D. van Vuuren, B. L.
Bodirsky, J. Chateau, O. D.-Lasserve,
L. Drouet, O. Fricko, S. Fujimori, D.
Gernaat, T. Hanaoka, J. Hilaire, K.
Keramidas, G. Luderer, M. C. Moura,
F. Sano, S. Smith, K. Wada

5

Taking some heat off the NDCs ？ The limited potentialof additional short-lived climate forcers' mitigation

H. Mathijs, O. Fricko, J. Hilaire, D. van
Vuuren, L. Drouet, O. D.-Lasserve, S.
Climatic Change, June 17, 2019
Fujimori, K. Keramidas, Z. Klimont, G.
Luderer, L. A. Reis, K. Riahi, F. Sano, S.
Smith

6

Mid-century emission pathways in Japan associatedwith the global 2℃ goal: national and global models'assessments based on carbon budgets

K. Oshiro, K. Gi, S. Fujimori, H. L. van
Soest, C. Bertram, J. Despres, T.
Climatic Change, July 20, 2019
Masui, P. Rochedo, M. Roelfsema, Z.
Vrontisi

7

An analysis of Japanʼs long-term energy systems
K. Gi, F. Sano, K. Akimoto, R.
reflecting fusion energy development roadmap by using
Hiwatari, K. Tobita
a global energy systems model1

Climatic Change, May 24, 2019

Journal of Japan Society of Energy andResources, Sep. 10, 2019

Other Paper
Title

Researchers

Forum

1

Significance and challenges of technologies for CCS
and CCU under the Paris Agreement

K. Akimoto

Monthly publication of Japan Society of
Mechanical Engineers, Feb. 20192

Overview of IPCC Special Report on Global warming of
1.5℃ and its Implications

K. Akimoto, K. Gi

Energy and Resources, July 1, 20193

Prospect for global warming and energy policy: The
direction of the company response based on the trends K. Akimotofor both domestic and overseas.

"Environmental Management" Monthly
Issue October, Oct. 1, 2019

Oral Presentation (International Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Forum

1

The strategy of delivering CCS projects: Lessons fromthree-decade pilot and demonstration experience

N. Wang, K. Akimoto

MIT Applied Energy Symposium 2019, May
24, 2019, USA

2

Analysis of Energy Intensity of Basic Materials Industry
in Japan

J. Oda, K. Akimoto

42nd IAEE International Conference, June
1, 2019, Canada

3

Bottom-up development of service demand scenarios
by consideration of heterogeneous actors andtransparent reflection of a narrative of futuresocioeconomic change: A case study of passenger
travel demand in Japan

K. Gi, F. Sano, K. Akimoto

38th International Energy Workshop, June
6, 2019, France58

2019 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Systems Analysis Group
Title

Researchers

Forum

4

Evaluations on consumption-based CO2 emissions in
EuropeT. Homma

The 16th IAEE European Conference, Aug.
27, 2019, Slovenia

5

Current policies and issues, and strategies in the futureon energy and climate change response

K. Akimoto

10th International Symposium of Advanced
Energy Science: Beyond the Decade ofZero Emission Energy, Sep. 4, 2019,
Japan

6

Development of energy demand scenarios taking
K. Akimoto, F. Sano, J. Oda, K. Gi, H.
sharing economy evolution into account based on SSPs
Kanaboshi, T. Nagata
and its alleviating effect on emissions reductions efforts

Scenarios Forum2019, Mar. 11-13, 2019,
USA

7

Conditions and mechanism behind co-benefits of CO2
emissions reduction and ambient PM2.5 concentration
reduction in China and India

K. Gi, F. Sano, A. Hayashi, K. Akimoto

Twelfth Annual Meeting of the IAMC, Dec.
2, 2019, Japan

8

Japan's emission pathways in the context of the 2℃
goals and their implications for the mid-century strategy

K. Oshiro, S. Fujimori, K. Gi, H. van
Soest, C. Bertram , J. Després, T.
Masui, P. Rochedo, M. Roelfsema, Z.
Vrontisi

Twelfth Annual Meeting of the IAMC, Dec.
3, 2019, Japan

Oral Presentation (Domestic Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.

1

Mobility Demand in Japan: An Analysis of Current
Structure by Reconstruction of National Statistics andDevelopment of Futures Scenarios

K. Gi, F. Sano, K. Akimoto

The 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 29, 20192

Analysis on decoupling between economic growth andCO2 emissions, based on evaluations of consumptionbased CO2 emissions

T. Homma, J. Oda, S. Chen, K.
AkimotoThe 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 29, 20193

An Analysis on Climate Change Mitigation Considering
Relationship among Petroleum-related Products byUsing a Global GHG Mitigation Assessment Model

H. Kanaboshi, F. Sano, K. Akimoto, M. The 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,
Nagashima
and Environment, Jan. 29, 20194

The role of financial sector in addressing climatechange: Study on the impact of fossil fuel divestment

M. Nagashima, K. Akimoto, F. Sano

The 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 29, 20195

The Chinese CO2 emission: The Impact of Business
Cycle and Structural BreakN. Wang, K. Akimoto

The 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 29, 2019

6

Analysis on the contribution of natural gas as medium
and long term global warming countermeasure

T. Nagata, F. Sano, T. Homma, K.
AkimotoThe 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 29, 20197

An Analysis of Japan's Fusion Energy Development
Scenarios

K. Gi, F. Sano, K. Akimoto, R.
Hiwatari, K. Tobita

The 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 30, 20198

Analysis of Energy Intensity of Major Materials Industry
in Japan

J. Oda, T. Homma, K. Akimoto

The 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 30, 20199

Analyses of Price Volatility in Deregulated Electricity
Market and Its Effect on Global Warming Policy

Y. Nakano, J. Oda, F. Sano, K.
AkimotoThe 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 30, 201910

A Study on Opportunities for Reducing GHG Emissions
Relating to Supply and Demand Processes for Food
Considering Progress of Information Technologies andthe Like

A. Hayashi, T. Homma, F. Sano, N.
Nakamura, K. Akimoto

The 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 30, 201911

An Analysis on the Global Warming Risk Management
by CO2 Direct Air Capture

Y. Arino, K. Akimoto, F. Sano, N.
Nakamura

The 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 30, 201912

Support for implementing climate technology activities
under the UNFCCC

K. WadaThe 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 30, 201913

An evaluation of climate change mitigation under thesocioeconomic scenarios considering diffusion of
sharing economy

F. Sano, K. Akimoto, K. Gi

The 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 30, 201914

Implicit discount rate for investment and its
consideration in Energy Economics Model

K. Akimoto, M. Nagashima, F. Sano,

The 35th Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, Jan. 30, 201915

Revisiting CCS Deployment: Empirical analysis ofthree-decade global pilot and demonstration project

N. Wang, K. Akimoto

The 38th Annual Meeting of Japan Societyof Energy and Resources,, Aug. 6, 201916

Comprehensive analysis on energy and global warming K. Akimoto, F. Sano, K. Gi, J. Oda, T.
induced sharing economy by technology innovation
Nagata, H. Kanaboshi

The 38th Annual Meeting of Japan Societyof Energy and Resources, Aug. 6, 201917

Estimation of passenger travel demand on various
energy models

K. Gi, K. Akimoto,The 38th Annual Meeting of Japan Societyof Energy and Resources, Aug. 6, 201918

Current long-term energy policy on climate change

K. Akimoto

Japan Institute of Energy, Aug. 8, 201959

2019 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Systems Analysis Group
Title
19

Energy model on passenger travel section toward theanalysis of long-term scenario

Researchers

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.
Symposium on arrangement of informationand perspective and method for long-term
strategy reducing greenhouse gas
emission, Aug. 21, 2019

K. Gi

Other Oral Presentation and Non-Journal Publication
Title

Researchers

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.

1

The 5th Strategic Energy Plan

K. Akimoto

Lectures for the Center for Development ofPower supply regions, Jan. 11, 20192

Present status of researches on climate change
mitigation

F. SanoJoint research workshop of Tougou C/D
and SI-CAT, Jan. 15, 20193

Chapter 5"Sustainable Development, Poverty
Eradication and Reducing Inequalities"

K. Gi

2018 special lecture on energy, Japan
Society of Energy and Resources, Jan. 18,
20194

The 5th Strategic Energy Plan

K. AkimotoWorkshop for the Electric Power Council
for a Low Carbon Society, Jan. 23, 20195

A review of electricity supply and demand structure of2030 in Basic Energy Plan

K. Akimoto

Symbio community forum, Jan. 28, 2019

6

Analysis of the role of CCS in long-term CO2 emission
reductionby integrated assessment model

J. OdaI2CNER International Workshop (CO2
Capture and Utilization), Feb. 1, 20197

Opportunities for achieving low energy demand society
through innovations, the quantitative analyses of theirimpact on climate change mitigation, and future issues
to be tackled

K. Akimoto

Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG)
Meeting for G20 Ministerial Meeting on
Energy Transitions and Global Environmentfor Sustainable Growth, Feb. 12, 20198

Analyses on energy and climate change-related issues
and future strategies

K. Akimoto

Research Committee on Natural
Resources and Energy, the House ofCouncillors, National Diet of Japan, Feb.
13, 2019

9

Innovations of products, services and social systems,
and their impacts on climate change mitigation
measuresK. Akimoto

ALPS International Symposium, Feb. 19,
2019

10

System cost evaluation of diversifying power source-hidden costs and policy issues-

K. Akimoto

The 26th Power Talk, Japan Energy
Association, Feb. 21, 201911

The emission pathways and mitigation costs forachieving below 1.5℃ and the impacts of low energy
demand scenarios

K. Akimoto

IPCC Symposium, Mar. 6, 201912

Global warming in progress and energy issues

K. Akimoto

Energy lecture meeting in Hokugenkon,
Mar. 19, 201913

Current status of renewable energies usage, andEfforts towards Global warming issues

K. Akimoto

Present and Future of Nuclear, Mar. 20,
2019

14

Activity status and outlook of technology mechanism

K. WadaThe 82nd TECUSE Study Meeting, Apr. 17,
2019

15

How to read IPCC special report: an unintended bias

K. Akimoto

IEEI web article, Apr. 19, 201916

Current condition of energy and global warming
mitigation, and pathways towards deep CO2 emissions
reduction

K. Akimoto

Lecture meeting at Meisho Eco Club,
Nagoya Chamber of Commerce & Industry,
Apr. 24, 201917

Conditions surrounding climate change and the futureof energy and global warming countermeasures andissuesK. Akimoto

The 29th energy symposium,
Environmental and energy research
conference of 3 labor association in
Chugoku district, June 1, 201918

Impacts of realization of low-energy demand society
due to technology development in IoT or AI on thelong-term target under the Paris Agreement

K. Akimoto

Open Symposium of Science Council ofJapan "Roles and issues of innovation for
long-term, deep emissions reductions of
GHG", June 6, 201919

Effects of global warming mitigation measures inducedby sharing economy

K. Akimoto

Green Forum 2, June 27, 201920

Global warming and energy problem – Solution tocomplex economics and policies

K AkimotoGeneral Meeting of Yokohama ElectricalEngineering and Computer Science, July13, 2019

21

Global energy system comparison review under Paris
Agreement toward 2050

K. Akimoto

Society of Automotive Engineer of Japan,
Inc., Sep. 25, 201922

The global energy system of long-term decarbonizationK. Akimoto
The role of hydrogen and electricity-

Symposium for Global warming Solutions
to Support Our Future Society in Kansai,
Sep. 26, 201960

2019 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Systems Analysis Group
Title

Researchers

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.

23

The economic analysis of the fusion power considering
global warming response

K. Akimoto

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology, Oct. 08, 201924

Impacts of IT and AI on Energy Consumption and CO2
Emission Reductions

K. Akimoto

ICEF, 6th Annual Meeting, Oct. 10, 201925

Analysis on climate change - Challenges and solutions
for integrated cost minimization analysis-

K. Akimoto

Research Report at The Institute of Energy
Economics, Japan, Oct.15, 201926

Japan's long-term strategy to achieve Paris Agreement

K. Akimoto2019 Energy Lecture at Kyushu District
Conversazione on energy problem, Oct.
25, 2019

27

Toward the sustainable development: Long-term vision
for climate change and short-and-medium term
behavior considering actual restrictions

K. Akimoto

The Iron and Steel Institute of Japan, Oct.
28, 2019

28

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions forlong-term goal of Paris Agreements

K. Akimoto

13th YGN young researcher study meetingat Atomic Energy Society ofJapan,Decarbonization, innovation, therole of nuclear power, Nov. 1, 201929

The keys of virtuous circle according to technologicalinnovation

K. Akimoto

Morning Edition of The Nikkei, Nov. 7, 201930

Global warming and energy

K. Akimoto

Seminar to Enjoy Learning about Unusual
Weather and Environmental Problem, Nov.
9, 201931

Opportunities and Challenges, and Impacts of Low
Energy Demand Society

K. Akimoto

Joint IIASA-RITE International Workshop:
Towards Improved Understanding,Concepts, Policies and Models of Energy
Demand, Nov. 11, 201932

Preliminary Modeling Analyses on Global Impacts of
Sharing Mobility Beyond Transportation Sector

K. Gi

Joint IIASA-RITE International Workshop:
Towards Improved Understanding,Concepts, Policies and Models of Energy
Demand, Nov. 13, 201933

Evaluations on International Competitiveness of NDCs
and the Implications of Long-term Deep Emission
Reductions

K. Akimoto

Japan Pavilion of Side Event at COP25,
Dec. 12, 2019, Spain

34

Evaluations on International Competitiveness of NDCs
and the Role of Technological and Social Innovations
toward the Paris Long-term Goals

K. Akimoto

Official Side Event of the UN Climate
Change Conference at COP25, Dec. 12,
2019, Spain

35

Evaluating energy system transition towards
decarbonized society

K. Akimoto

Innovative Environmental Technology
Symposium 2019, Dec. 18, 2019

Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group
Original Paper
Title

Researchers

Journal1

Enhanced 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

Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering,
Vol.127, pp.288-293, 20192

Introduction of glyoxylate bypass increases hydrogengas yield from acetate and L-glutamate in Rhodobacter
sphaeroides

T. Shimizu, H. Teramoto, M. Inui

Applied and Environmental Microbiology,
Vol.85, e01873-18, 20193

Carbohydrate-binding property of a cell wall integrity
and stress response component (WSC) domain of an
alcohol oxidase from the rice blast pathogen Pyricularia
oryzaeS. Oide, Y. Tanaka, A. Watanabe, M.
InuiEnzyme and Microbial Technology, Vol.125,
pp.13-20, 20194

Metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum
for hyperproduction of polymer-grade L- and D-lactic
acid

Y. Tsuge, N. Kato, S. Yamamoto, M.
Suda, T. Jojima, M. Inui

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,
Vol.103, pp.3381-3391, 2019

5

Development of biorefinery technology for bioeconomy

K. Toyoda, M. Inui

Journal of environmental conservationengineering, Vol.562, pp.141-145, 2019

6

Bioenergy and Biorefinery

S.O. Han, M. Inui, Y.S. Jin

Biotechnology Journal, Vol.14, e1900160,
2019

7

Development of bioproduction technology for aromaticcompounds

Y. Kitade, M. Inui

Japan Plastics, Vol.107, pp.20-23, 201961

2019 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group
Title

Researchers

Journal8Engineering the transcriptional activator NifA for theconstruction of Rhodobacter sphaeroides strains that
produce hydrogen gas constitutively

T. Shimizu, H. Teramoto, M. Inui

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,
Vol.103, pp.9739-9749, 20199

Development of bio-based overproduction technology
for aromatic compounds

Y. Kitade, M. Inui

Adhesion technology, Vol.136, pp.22-26,
2019

10

Isobutanol production in Corynebacterium glutamicum:
suppressed succinate by-production by pckA
inactivation and enhanced productivity via the Entner–
Doudoroff pathway

S. Hasegawa, T. Jojima, M. Suda, M.
InuiMetabolic Engineering, (in press)

Oral Presentation (International Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Forum

1

Identification of the regulon of the ECF sigma factor
SigE in Corynebacterium glutamicum

Koichi Toyoda, Masayuki Inui

FEMS2019 8th Congress of European
microbiologists, Jul. 7-11, 20192

The regulon of the ECF sigma factor SigE in
Corynebacterium glutamicum

Koichi Toyoda, Masayuki Inui

14th international symposium on thegenetics of industrial microorganisms(GIM2019), Sep. 8-11, 2019

Oral Presentation (Domestic Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Forum

1

Improvement of H2 yield from acetate by engineering of
Tetsu Shimizu, Haruhiko Teramoto,nifA and disruption of the Calvin cycle in Rhodobacter
Masayuki Inuisphaeroides

2

Regulation of RNase III expression in Corynebacterium
glutamicum

The 2019 Annual Meeting of The Japan
Masato Sawa, Yuya Tanaka, Masayuki
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andInui
Agrochemistry, Mar. 24-27, 20193

Development of a CRISPR-Cas9-based genome
engineering tool for Corynebacterium glutamicum

Hikaru Ozawa, Takeshi Kubota,
Masako Suda, Masayuki Inui

The 2019 Annual Meeting of The Japan
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 24-27, 20194

Analysis of transcriptional regulation mechanism of
asparagine catabolic operon in Corynebacterium
glutamicum

Riki Sugaya, Koichi Toyoda, Masako
Suda, Kazumi Hiraga, Masayuki Inui

The 2019 Annual Meeting of The Japan
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 24-27, 20195

Identification of the regulon of the ECF sigma factor
SigE in Corynebacterium glutamicum

Koichi Toyoda, Masayuki Inui

The 71th Annual Meeting of the Society of
Biotechnology of Japan, Sep. 16-18, 2019

The 2019 Annual Meeting of The Japan
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 24-27, 2019

Other Oral Presentation and Non-Journal Publication
Title

Researchers

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.

1

Development of green bioprocess toward realizing acarbon recycling society

Masayuki Inui

Symposium of The 6th Society of
Biotechnology of Japan, May 24, 20192

Development of green bioprocesses for the realizationof bioeconomy

Masayuki Inui19-2 Polymer Frontier 21, The Society ofPolymer Science, Japan, Jun. 11, 20193

R&D for a novel bioprocess to produce 100% green jet
fuel

Masayuki Inui

Symposium of The 71th Annual Meeting of
the Society of Biotechnology of Japan,
Sep. 18, 2019

4

Development of biorefinery technology to realize asustainable society

Masayuki Inui

Symposium in Kansai on Global Warming
Mitigation Technology for Future Society,Sep. 26, 20195

The emerging green bioprocess technology to attain acarbon-free society

Masayuki Inui

Innovation for Cool Earth Forum (ICEF) 6th
Annual Meeting, Oct. 9, 20196

Development of biorefinery production technology toattain a sustainable society

Takeshi Kubota

BioJapan 2019 Exhibitor presentation, Oct.
10, 2019

7

Present development status and future prospects ofbiochemical production technology

Masayuki Inui

Biomass Seminar, Tokyo Tech Alumni
Association, Oct. 18, 20198

Development of biorefinery production technology forthe realization of decarbonized society

Masayuki Inui

New Energy Div., The Japan Petroleum
Institute, Nov. 21, 20199

Development of green bioprocess for the realization of
decarbonized society

Masayuki Inui

Innovative Environmental Technology
Symposium 2019, Dec. 18, 201910

Feature "Flying on bio jet fuel !"-Ashita no Tsubasa ("Wings of tomorrow")(Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.), Spr. 201911

FLY INTO TOMORROW "SDGs -JAL initiatives-/73rd
Flying on bio jet fuel !"-SKYWARD (Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.),
Vol.5, 201962

2019 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group
Title
12

Symposium of The 6th Society of Biotechnology ofJapan

Researchers-

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.
Seibutsu-kogaku Kaishi, Vo.97, No.8, 2019

Chemical Research Group
Original Paper
Title

Researchers

Journal1

Development of high-performance polymer membranes
for CO2 separation by combining functionalities ofpolyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium polyacrylate(PAANa)Fuminori Ito, Yuriko Nishiyama,
Shuhong Duan, Hidetaka Yamada

Journal of Polymer Research Vol.26, 106(2019)

2

Ab Initio Study of CO2 Capture Mechanisus in Aqueous
2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol:Electronic and StericEffects of Methyl Substituents on the stability of
Carbamate

Hidetaka Yamada, Firoz A.
Chowdhury, Shin Yamamoto, Kazuya
Goto

Industrial & Engineering Chmistry
Research Vol.58 Issue8 pp. 3549-3554,
2019

3

Oxidative Degradation of TetraethylenepentamineImpregnated Silica Sorbents for CO2 Capture

Quyen T. Vu, Hidetaka Yamada,Katsunori Yogo

Energy Fuels Vol.33 Issue4 pp. 33703379, 20194

Preparation of Biodegradable Polymer Nanospheres
Containing Manganese Porphyrin (Mn-Porphyrin)

Fuminori Ito, Hidetaka Yamada,Kiyoshi Kanamura, Hiroyoshi
Kawakami

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic
Polymers and MaterialsVol.29, 3, pp
1010–1018, 20195Enhancement Mechanism of the CO2 Adsorption–
Desorption Efficiency of Silica-Supported
Tetraethylenepentamine by Chemical Modification of
Amino Groups

Hidetaka Yamada, Firoz A.
Chowdhury, Junpei Fujiki, Katsunori
Yogo

ACS Sustainable Chemistry &EngineeringVol.7 Issue10 pp. 9062-9726
May 20, 20196

Bottom-Up Synthesis of Defect-Free Mixed-Matrix
Membranes by Using Polymer-Grafted Metal–Organic
Polyhedra

Nobuhiko Hosono, Wenbo Guo,
Kenichiro Omoto, Hidetaka Yamada,Susumu Kitagawa

Chemistry LettersVol.48 No.6 pp. 597–600,
2019"

7

Water adsorption on nitrogen-doped carbons foradsorption heat pump/desiccant cooling: Experimental
and density functional theory calculation studies

Junpei Fujiki, Katsunori Yogo

Applied Surface Science, Vol. 492, 30
October 2019, pp. 776-784

8Examination of selection and combination of waterabsorbing agent to blend with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in Fuminori Ito, Yuriko Nishiyama,
Shuhong Duan, Hidetaka Yamada
preparing CO2 separation membrane with highperformance

Macromolecular Research(online) Nov.
22, 2019

9

Effect of Carbonic Anhydrase on CO2 Separation
Performance of Thin Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer/
Poly(ethylene glycol) Hybrid Membranes

Membranes 9(12), 167, 2019

Shuhong Duan, Teruhiko Kai,
Shin-ichi Nakao

Oral Presentation (International Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Forum
FOA2019（13th International Conference
on Fundamentals of Adsorption）, May
26-31, 20191

Experimental and DFT Calculation Studies on Water
Vapor Adsorption on Nitrogen-Doped Carbons

2

Kazuya Goto, Firoz. A. Chowdhury,
Development of Amine-based Solvents for CO2 Capture
Hidetaka Yamada, Shin Yamamoto,from Blast Furnace Gas
Yoichi Matsuzaki, Masami Onoda

World Hydrogen Technologies
Convention(WHTC)2019, Tokyo, Japan,
Jun. 2-7, 20193

Simulation of Amine-Based CO2 Capture Using
Transtion State Theory

17th International Conference on Carbon
Dioxide Utilization - ICCDU 2019, Aachen,
Germany, Jun. 23-27, 20194

Effect of Membrane Thickness and Carbonic Anhydrase
Shuhong Duan, Teruhiko Kai,
on CO2 Separation Properties of Poly(amidoamine)
Shin-ichi Nakao
Dendrimer/Poly(ethylene glycol) Hybrid Membranes"The 12th Conference of the AseanianMembrane Society (AMS 12), Jeju, Korea
July 2-5, 2019"

5

Development of CO2 Molecular Gate Membranes for
CO2 Capture

Teruhiko Kai"The 12th Conference of the AseanianMembrane Society (AMS 12), Jeju,
KoreaJuly 2-5, 2019"6

CO2 Separation and Capture System with PolyamineSupported Solid Absorbent

Shin Yamamoto, Hidetaka Yamada,Katsunori Yogo

5TH POST COMBUSTION CAPTURE
CONFERENCE (PCCC5), Kyoto, Japan,
Sep. 17-19, 20197

Molecular Mechanism of Liquid-Liquid Phase
Separation in the Amine-CO2-H2O System

Hidetaka Yamada, Ryohei Numaguchi,
Firoz A. Chowdhury, Shin Yamamoto,
Yoichi Matsuzaki, Kazuya Goto

5TH POST COMBUSTION CAPTURE
CONFERENCE (PCCC5), Kyoto, Japan,
Sep. 17-19, 2019

Junpei Fujiki, Katsunori Yogo

Hidetaka Yamada

632019 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Chemical Research Group
Title

Researchers

Forum

8

Development of CO2 Capture Technology with Solid
Sorbent Utilizing Low-Temperature Steam: Progress in
Bench-Scale Demonstration

Shohei Nishibe, Katsuhiro Yoshizawa,
Okumura Takeshi, Ryohei Numaguchi, 5TH POST COMBUSTION CAPTURE
Kazuo Tanaka, Hidetada Yamada, Shin CONFERENCE (PCCC5), Kyoto, Japan,
Sep. 17-19, 2019
Yamamoto, Tomohiro Kinosita,
Katsunori Yogo

9

Oxidative Degradation of Polyamine-Containing CO2
Adsorbents

Quyen T. Vu, Hidetaka Yamada,Katsunori Yogo

5TH POST COMBUSTION CAPTURE
CONFERENCE (PCCC5), Kyoto, Japan,
Sep. 17-19, 201910

Development of amine-based non-aqueous absorbent
for post-combustion CO2 capture

Firoz A. Chowdhury, Kazuya Goto,
Hidetaka Yamada, Shin Yamamoto,
Yoichi Matsuzaki

5TH POST COMBUSTION CAPTURE
CONFERENCE (PCCC5), Kyoto, Japan,
Sep. 17-19, 201911

Development of CO2 Molecular Gate Membranes forpost-combustion and pre-combustion

Teruhiko Kai, Shuhong Duan, Shin-ichi
Nakao

5TH POST COMBUSTION CAPTURE
CONFERENCE (PCCC5), Kyoto, Japan,
Sep. 17-19, 201912

Advanced CO2 Capture Technologies in RITE Chemical
Shin-ichi Nakao
Research Group

5TH POST COMBUSTION CAPTURE
CONFERENCE (PCCC5), Kyoto, Japan,
Sep. 17-19, 2019

Other Oral Presentation and Non-Journal Publication
Title

Researchers

Forum"SpringerBriefs in Energy ISBN 978-3-03018858-0 May 8th, 2019"1

Advanced CO2 capture Technologies: Absorption,
Adsorption, and Membrane Separaton Methods

Shin-ichi Nakao, Katsunori Yogo,
Kazuya Goto, Teruhiko Kai, Hidetaka
Yamada2

Development of CO2 Capture

Kazuya Goto

CEM10/MI-4 Innovation Showcase,Vancouver Canada, May 28–29, 2019

3

RITE Solid Sorbent for Energy-Saving CO2 Capture

Kazuya Goto

CEM10/MI-4 Innovation Showcase,Vancouver Canada, May 28–29, 2019

4

Development of CO2 Molecular Gate Membrane for
IGCC with CO2 Capture

Kazuya Goto

CEM10/MI-4 Innovation Showcase,Vancouver Canada, May 28–29, 2019

CO2 Storage Research Group
Original Paper
Title

Researchers

Journal1

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, 2018,https://doi.org/10.3390/app8112103

2

Fiber optic sensing for geomechanical Monitoring:(2)- Distributed strain measurements at a pumping test
and geomechanical modeling of deformation ofreservoir rocks

Xinglin Lei, Ziqiu Xue, Tsutomu
HashimotoApplied Sciences, 9, 3, 417, 2019, https://doi.org/10.3390/app9030417

3

Shear-induced permeability reduction and shear-zone
development of sand under high vertical stress

Sho Kimura, Hiroaki Kaneko, Shohei
Noda, Takuma Ito, Hideki Minagawa

Engineering Geology, 238, 86–98, 20184

Depressurization and electrical heating of methane
hydrate sediment for gas production: Laboratory-scale
experiments

Hideki Minagawaa, Takuma Ito, Sho
Kimura, Hiroaki Kaneko, Shohei
Noda,Norio Tenma

Journal of Natural Gas Science andEngineering 50, 147-156, 2018

5

Gas-Tight pH Measurements to Assess an Effect of
CO2 on Groundwater

Saeko Mito, Ziqiu Xue, Bracken
Wimmer, Abbas Iranmanesh, Hongbo
Shao, Randall Locke II, Sallie
Greenberg

SSRN (https://ssrn.com/
abstract=3366313), 20196

Field Measurement Using Distributed Fiber-Optic
Sensing Technology and Numerical Simulation ofGeomechanical Deformation Caused by CO2 Injection

Yankun Sun, Ziqiu Xue, Yi Zhang,
Tsutomu Hashimoto, Hyuck Park

SSRN (https://ssrn.com/
abstract=3365651), 20197

A Preliminary Experiment on the Detection of Bubbles
in the Sea with Side-Scan Sonar

Uchimoto, Keisuke and Nishimura,
SSRN (https://ssrn.com/
Makoto and Xue, Ziqiu and Watanabe,
abstract=3365765), 2019Yuji

8

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

SSRN (https://ssrn.com/
abstract=3366201), 20199Advanced well log analyses using image data at the
Nagaoka CO2 injection site

Takahiro Nakajima, Ziqiu Xue

SSRN (https://ssrn.com/
abstract=3366058), 201964

2019 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Ｔｏｄａｙ

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CO2 Storage Research Group
Title

Researchers

Journal10

Utilization of wave attenuation in time-lapse soniclogging data for the monitoring of CO2 migration along
the wellTakahiro Nakajima, Luchen Wang,
Ziqiu XueSSRN (https://ssrn.com/
abstract=3366057), 201911

Can We Detect CO2 Plume by Distributed Fiber Optic
Strain Measurements?

Yi Zhang, Hyuck Park, Tamotsu
Kiyama, Yankun Sun, Ziqiu Xue

SSRN (https://papers.ssrn.com/
abstract=3366224), 201912

Tracking CO2 Plumes in Clay ‐ Rich Rock byDistributed Fiber Optic Strain Sensing (DFOSS): A
Laboratory Demonstration

Zhang, Yi, Ziqiu Xue, Hyuck Park, Ji
Water Resources Research 55, 1, 856‐ Quan Shi, Tamotsu Kiyama, Xinglin
867, 2019
Lei, Yankun Sun, Yunfeng Liang

13

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing System for Well ‐based Monitoring Water Injection Tests̶A
Geomechanical Responses Perspective

Yankun Sun,Ziqiu Xue, Tsutomu
Hashimoto, Xinglin Lei, Yi Zhang

Water Resources Research, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019WR024794

14Stratigraphy and depositional cycles recognized inevent deposits in sediment core taken from the Kzusa
Group, Central Eastern Boso Penisula, Japan

Takuma Ito, Hiroomi Nakasato,
Tsutomu Hashimoto

The Quaternary research, submitted

15

Deformation ‐ Based Monitoring of Water Migration inRocks Using Distributed Fiber Optic Strain Sensing: A
Laboratory StudyYi Zhang, Ziqiu Xue

Water Resources Research, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019WR024795

16

Experimental and numerical simulation of supercritical
Anindityo Patmonoaji,Yi Zhang, Ziqiu
CO2 microbubble injection into a brine-saturated porous
Xue, Hyuck Park, Tetsuya Suekane
medium17

Bubble detection with side-scan sonar in shallow sea
for future application to marine monitoring at offshore
CO2 storage sites

Keisuke Uchimoto, Makoto Nishimura, American Journal of Marine Science, 7, 1,
Yuji Watanabe, Ziqiu Xue
1-6, 201918

Utilization of wave attenuation in the time-lapse soniclogging at the Nagaoka site for a near well monitoringof CO2 migration

Takahiro Nakajima, Luchen Wang,
Ziqiu Xue

19

A field experiment of walkaway distributed acoustic
sensing vertical seismic profile in a deep and deviatedYuki Kobayashi, Yuto Uematsu,
onshore well in Japan using a fibre optic cable deployed Shimpei Mochiji, Ziqiu Xue
inside coiled tubing

Geophysical Prospecting, 68, 2, 501 520, 2020

20

Geophysical monitoring at the Nagaoka pilot-scale CO2
injection site in Japan

Takahiro Nakajima, Ziqiu Xue

Active Monitoring, 2nd ed., 563-569,
Elsevier, 201921

Towards Designing a National Public Engagement
Framework for Carbon Capture and Storage in Japan

Akihiro Nakamura

Annual International Social Sciences
Conference 2019, submitted

International Journal of Greenhouse Gas
Control 91, 2019,

International Journal of the Greenhouse
Gas Control, 88, 342-352, 2019

Non-Journal Publication
Title

Researchers

Magazine, Newspaper, etc.

1

Report on the 14th International Conference on
Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies

Ryozo Tanaka

IEEJ Transactions on Power and Energy,
July 20192

Research and Development of Geological Storage of
CO2 in Deep Saline Aquifers

Ziqiu Xue

Energy and resources, 40,3,24-27,20193

Speed-up of optimization tool for well placement in
Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage

Atsuhiro Miyagi, Youhei Akimoto,
Hajime Yamamoto, Ziqiu Xue

Report of Taisei Technology Center, Dec,
2019

Oral Presentation (International Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Forum

1

DAS VSP Acquisition Through Coiled Tubing FiberOptic Cable

Tsunehisa Kimura, Yanyan Chen, Yuki European Association of Geoscientists andKobayashi, Keita Adachi, Ziqiu Xue
Engineers, London, UK, Nov 18, 20192

Development of a high speed optimization tool for wellplacement in Geological Carbon dioxide Sequestration

Atsuhiro Miyagi, Youhei Akimoto,
Hajime Yamamoto, Ziqiu Xue"International Society for Rock Mechanics& Rock Engineering YSRM: Young
Scholars Symposium on Rock Mechanics,
Okinawa, Japan, Dec, 20193

Improving Subsurface Images for Better Reservoir
Management by CT-DAS-VSP in a Production Well
Onshore Japan

Yuto Uematsu, Yuki Kobayashi,
Shimpei Mochiji, Ziqiu Xue

Fifth EAGE Workshop on Borehole
Geophysics, Hague, Netherlands, Nov 19,
20194

A comprehensive experiment to reveal he ability ofSide-Scan Sonar to detect CO2 bubbles in shallow sea

IEAGHG Monitoring & Environmental
Keisuke Uchimoto, Makoto Nishimura,Research – Combined Networks Meeting,Yuji Watanabe, Ziqiu Xue
Calgary, Canada, Aug 21, 20195

Geomechanical Footprint for Downhole Water Injection
via Distributed Optic Fiber Sensing Integrating hybrid
Brillouin-Rayleigh Backscattering

Yankun Sun, Ziqiu Xue, Tsutomu
Hashimoto, Xinglin Lei, Yi Zhang

6

Monitoring of Dynamic Stability of Geological
Formations using Fiber-Optic Sensing

Tsutomu Hashimoto, Ziqiu Xue, Ryozo CEM10/MI-4 Innovation Showcase,Vancouver, Canada, May 27, 2019
Tanaka16th Annual Meeting Asia Oceania
Geosciences Society , Singapore, Aug 1,
2019

65

2019 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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CO2 Storage Research Group
Title

Researchers

Forum

7

Microbubble CO2 Injection for Geological CO2 Storage
and CO2-EOR

Ziqiu Xue, Hyuck Park, Ryozo Tanaka

CEM10/MI-4 Innovation Showcase,Vancouver, Canada, May 27, 20198

Permanent Ocean Bottom Cable (OBC) System for
Offshore CO2 Storage

Ryozo Tanaka

CEM10/MI-4 Innovation Showcase,Vancouver, Canada, 2019/5/27

9Proposal of a New Standard of CO2 Concentration in
SeawaterShunsuke Nishimura, Toru Sato,
Keisuke Uchimoto, Koichi Goto,
Meguru Miki2019 Carbon Management Technology
Conference, Jul 15, 201910

DAS field comparison test for seismic monitoring in
wells

Luchen Wang, Ziqiu Xue, Tsutomu
HashimotoOFSC2019, Wuhan, China, Apr 29, 201911

Towards Designing a National Public Engagement
Framework for Carbon Capture and Storage in Japan

Akihiro Nakamura

Annual International Social Sciences
Conference 2019, Danang, Vietnam, Oct17, 2019

12

Well Placement Optimization under Geological
Statistical Uncertainty

Mitsuhiro Miyagi, Hajime Yamamoto,
Yohei Akimoto, Ziqiu Xue

Genetic and Evolutionary Computation
Conference, Prague, Czech, June 13, 2019

Oral Presentation (Domestic Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

1

Simulated passive tracer regarded as CO2 leaked fromsub-seabed reservoir

Keisuke Uchimoto, Kazuhiro Misumi,
Takaki Tsubono, Daisuke Tsumune,
Ziqiu XueThe Oceanographic Society of Japan
Fall meeting in 2019, Sep 27, 20192

Stratigraphy and depositional cycles in sediment coretaken from Kazusa Group, Central Eastern Boso
Peninsula, Japan

Takuma Ito, Hiroomi Nakazato,
Tsutomu Hashimoto, Ziqiu Xue

Japan association for Quaternary research,
Aug 2019

3

Pilot test for microbubble CO2 injection to reservoir in oil Kazunori Nakagawa, Ryo Ueda,
field - Test planning and preparation Masanori Nakano, Ziqiu Xue

JPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 20194

Evaluation of seismic event location accuracy of
Tomakomai CO2 injection site: a numerical simulationcase study

Luchen Wang,
Ziqiu XueJPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 20195

Technical Challenges of Machine Learning Approachfor Porosity Estimation in Nagaoka CCS site

Takayuki Miyoshi, Takahiro Nakajima,
Ziqiu XueJPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 20196

Utilization of wave attenuation in time-lapse soniclogging data to evaluate the effect of super-critical CO2
in the reservoir

Takahiro Nakajima, Luchen Wang,
Ziqiu XueJPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 20197

Bed deformation measured by distributed optical fiberand its sedimentological interpretation: alternatedsandstone and mudstone aquifer, Boso Peninsula,
Japan

Takuma Ito, Tsutomu Hashimoto, Ziqiu
JPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 2019
Xue

8

Field Testing of Hybrid Brillouin-Rayleigh Distributed
Sensing System for Subsurface Water Injection
Monitoring

Yankun Sun, Ziqiu Xue, Tsutomu
Hashimoto, Xinglin Lei, Yi Zhang

9

Comparison of measured strain behavior and quantified
Shogo Hirota, Tomohiro Tokunaga,
deformation of rock using optic fiber sensing technology
Ziqiu Xue, Hyuck Parkand strain gage

JPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 201910

CO2 migration characteristics of microbubble andconventional sequestration in Berea sandstone
revealed by X-ray CT imaging

Hongyu Zhai, Yi Zhang, Hyuck Park,
Ziqiu XueJPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 201911

Strain detection by optical fiber for CO2 injected core
specimen

Hyuck Park, Yankun Sun, Ziqiu Xue

JPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 201912

Monitoring hydromechanical responses in aquifer by
distributed fiber-optic strain sensing: From lab to fieldYi Zhang, Ziqiu Xue, Tsutomu
Hashimoto, Hyuck Park

JPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 201913

Mechanisms inducing anomalously high pCO2 without
CO2 leakage in coastal environment

Yuji Watanabe, Keisuke Uchimoto,
Makoto Nishimura, Saeko Mito, Ziqiu
Xue

JPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 201914

How many data are necessary to make a suitable
threshold for anomalous pCO2 owing to CO2 leakage?

Keisuke Uchimoto, Yuji Watanabe,
Makoto Nishimura, Ziqiu Xue

JPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 201915

CO2 behavior analysis using large scale geologicalmodel

Yuki Shigeoka, Haruki Nishiyama,
Hiroshi Kinoto, Takaomi Tobase,Takahiro Nakajima, Ziqiu Xue

JPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 2019

Takahiro Nakajima,

Forum

JPGU Meeting 2019, May 29, 201966

2019 Paper, Presentation and Publication 

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Inorganic Membranes Research Center
Original Paper
Title
1

Development of CVD silica membranes having high H2permeance and steam stability and a membranereactor for water gas shift reaction

Researchers

Forum

Ryoichi Nishida, Toshiki Tago, Takashi
Saito, Masahiro Seshimo, Shin-ichi
Membranes 2019, 9(11), 140
Nakao

Oral Presentation (International Academic Society)
Title

Researchers

Forum

1

Dehydrogenation of metylcyclohexane by a membranereactor with silica membranes

Shin-Ichi Nakao, Hiromi Urai, Kazuaki World Hydrogen Technologies Convention
Sasa, Masahiro Seshimo, Hitoshi（WHTC2019), Tokyo International Forum,
NishinoJun 03, 20192

Influence of steam on permselective performance ofdimethoxydiphenylsilane-derived silica membrane

Masahiro Seshimo, Hiromi Urai,
Yuichiro Yamaguchi, Shin-ichi Nakao

18th Asian Pacific Confederation ofChemical Engineering Congress(APCChE2019),Sep 23 – 27, 201967

English2020 Vol.15

2020 Vol.15

Anniversary
th 1990 - 2020

30

2020 Vol.15

Foreword

FeatureR&D Activities

On the 30th Anniversary of RITEKey Technologies for
Decarbonization

TopicsKenji Yamaji,
Senior Vice President/
Director-General, RITE

Overview and New Developments
on CO2 Separation and Recovery
Technologies

Outreach Activities
2019 Paper,
Presentation andPublication