R&D Activities ● Chemical Research GroupRITE Today, 2024

Chemical Research Group
Members (as of April 2024)
Katsunori Yogo
Masahiko Mizuno
Hidetoshi Kita
Naoki Kikuchi
Masahiro Yamada
Narutoshi Hayashi
Firoz Alam Chowdhury
Teruhiko Kai
Tomohiro Kinoshita
Junichiro Kugai
Kazuya Goto
Masahiro Seshimo
Toshinori Muraoka
Makoto Ryoji
Fuminori Ito
Yusuke Ohata
Takayasu Kiyokawa
Shuhong Duan
Vu Thi Quyen
Lie Meng
Soji Yamaguchi
Yoshiyuki Kubota
Aoi Torigoe

Group Leader, Chief Researcher
Deputy Group Leader, Chief Researcher
Chief Researcher
Deputy Group Leader, Associate Chief Researcher
Deputy Group Leader, Associate Chief Researcher
Associate Chief Researcher
Associate Chief Researcher
Senior Researcher
Senior Researcher
Senior Researcher
Senior Researcher
Senior Researcher
Senior Researcher
Senior Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher
Researcher

Hiroaki Maeda
Hanako Araki
Hiromi Urai
Noriko Onishi
Hidenori Ogata
Kumiko Ogura
Mai Kashima
Kozue Kataoka
Keiko Komono
Rie Sugimoto
Takashi Teshima
Yuko Nara
Yozo Narutaki
Akiyoshi Fujii
Yoichi Fujiwara
Yuko Miyaji
Keiko Mori
Misato Mori
Atsushi Yasuno
Takahiro Yoshii
Naomi Yoshino
Junko Yonezawa

Researcher
Research AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch AssistantResearch Assistant

Challenges Associated with the Advanced Industrialization of CO2
Capture and Utilization Technologies
1. Introduction

rise in global average temperature before the Industrial

The Chemical Research Group, including the R&D

Revolution was kept well below 2°C. Pursuing efforts todivision and industry collaboration division, has carried

keep the temperature down to 1.5°C was the goal. Afterout activities to achieve the technical breakthroughs

that, in response to the heightened sense of crisis, suchneeded to realize solutions for early-stage practical ap-

as further temperature rises and the enormous natural

plication and industrialization of various technologies

disasters occurring on a global scale, the Glasgow Cli-

related to CO2 capture and utilization (CCU). The current

mate Agreement at COP 26 in November 2021 demon-

research topics of the Chemical Research Group are de-strated the determination to pursue efforts to limit the

scribed as follows.

temperature rise to 1.5°C with the world's first numerical target of 1.5°C. According to the IPCC, the 1.5°C tar-

2. Technologies for CO2 capture and utilization
The Paris Agreement was adopted at COP 21 in De-

get requires a 45% reduction in CO2 by 2030 compared
to 2010 and net zero by 2050.

cember 2015, and in order to minimize the adverse ef-

In May 2022, the Clean Energy Strategy was formu-

fects of climate change, such as abnormal weather, thelated by the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry

46

R&D Activities ● Chemical Research GroupRITE Today, 2024

(METI), and under the strategy, a practical roadmap forscale sources. In parallel, promotion of the standardiza-carbon capture and storage (CCS) was developed. Thetion of CO2 capture technologies is also important. It islong-term plan set a goal of storing approximately 120

necessary to establish a common evaluation standard

to 240 million tons of CO2 by 2050, and seven CCS pro-for the various CO2 capture materials, while keeping

jects within Japan have been selected to accomplish thepace with the international trends in this field. CCU (uti-storage of CO2 goal. Carbon dioxide capture, utilization,

lization) implementation into society as soon as possi-

and storage (CCUS) and carbon recycling is an im-

ble is also highly needed. It is important to develop in-

portant innovative technology that enables carbon neu-

novative CO2 utilization and carbon recycle technolo-

trality. In CCUS/carbon recycling, the combination ofgies to effectively convert CO2 into chemicals and fuels.

captured CO2 is recycled as a carbon resource for fuels

The Chemical Research Group is dedicated to devel-

and materials (CCU), and the captured CO2 storage un-oping innovative CO2 capture and utilization technolo-

der the ground (CCS) is expected to have a significant

gies and to providing world-leading R&D and innova-

CO2 reduction effect. Furthermore, it has been showntion results with a special focus on chemical absorption,that CO2 separation and capture technologies are theadsorption, and the membrane separation process. Ourbasis for CCUS, and the targets for the technologies areresearch topic covers the development of new materials

to reduce the cost of CO2 separation and capture toand their innovative manufacturing processes and high-

1,000 yen/t-CO2 by 2050 and to establish CO2 separa-efficiency carbon capture systems and membrane reac-tion and capture technologies for various CO2 emission

tors. As for chemical absorption, the solvent developed

sources. Negative emission technology, which contrib-in COURSE50 (Development of Environmental Technol-

utes to the reduction in the concentration of CO2 in theogy for Steelmaking Process as commissioned by theatmosphere, is required to achieve carbon neutrality. In

New Energy and Industrial Technology Development

particular, direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 from the at-Organization [NEDO]) has been put into practical use inmosphere has been attracting attention recently. In the

a commercial CO2 capture plant owned by a private Jap-

Carbon Recycling Technology Roadmap (Ministry ofanese company.

Economy, Trade and Industry) revised in July 2021, DAC

For adsorption, pilot-scale tests of solid sorbents with

was added as a new technology field in progress. Car-

good CO2 desorption performance at low temperatures

bon management, which involves the utilization, reduc-and adsorption systems are being conducted in collab-

tion, and storage of CO2 in Carbon Dioxide Removal

oration with private companies in a project commis-(CDR) and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage

sioned by NEDO using flue gas from coal-fired power(CCUS) initiatives, is gaining momentum.

plants. The solid sorbents technology is also applied toAgainst this background, it is necessary to promote

the low CO2 concentration carbon capture from the gas

the practical application of CCUS by proposing optimal

at natural gas-fired power plants that featured not only

separation and capture technologies for the various CO2

low temperature regeneration but also high residence

emission sources and CO2 utilization technologies. In

to oxidation degradation. Furthermore, Direct Air Cap-particular, in order to introduce and put into practical

ture (DAC), which captures CO2 from the atmosphere, is

use CCS, which is expected to reduce CO2 on a large

proceeding as the NEDO Moonshot Research and De-

scale as a measure to address global warming, it is im-velopment Project.

portant to reduce the cost of CO2 capture from large-

The membrane-separation-based carbon capture47

R&D Activities ● Chemical Research Grouptechnology is developed for potential high-pressure

RITE Today, 2024

3. Chemical absorption method for CO2 capture

CO2/H2 separation in the Integrated Coal Gasification

In the absorption method, CO2 is separated by using

Combined Cycle (IGCC) and hydrogen production

the selective dissolution of CO2 from a mixed gas into aplants. Starting from 2024, sponsored by NEDO, a com-solvent. In particular, the chemical absorption method

pact medium-pressure hydrogen production system

based on the chemical reaction between amine and CO2(CO2 captured hydrogen production system) will be de-in a solvent can be applied to gases with a relatively low

veloped and will be demonstrated in field tests.

CO2 concentration, such as combustion exhaust gas,

Efforts have also been devoted to the standardization
for CO2 capture.

and the method is one of the most mature CO2 capture
technologies developed. In the COCS project (METI's

Awarded by the NEDO project to establish a common

Subsidy Project) and the COURSE50 project (NEDO con-base for evaluating CO2 separation materials, Japan's

signment project), RITE has been working to develop a

first Real-Gas Test Center will be built at RITE (construc-high-performance amine solvent that reduces the costtion to be completed in 2024), and the standard meth-of CO2 capture.

ods with the use of real gas will be established. As the

The chemical absorbent and process created by the

only organization in Japan that is a member of the In-

COURSE50 project were adopted by the energy-saving

ternational Test Center Network (abbreviated ITCN, a

CO2 capture facility ESCAP® of Nippon Steel Engineer-

global association of facilities around the world that

ing Co., Ltd. (Fig. 1)

promote research and development of CO2 capture
technology), RITE regularly exchanges information withoverseas ITCN members. Through ITCN, our efforts towards standardization of CO2 capture will be disseminated throughout the world.
As for effective CO2 utilization technology, we havebeen developing carbonate fixation utilization amine
technology and methanol synthesis utilization dehydration membrane technology. In carbonate fixation, calcium and magnesium from industrial waste are fixed byreacting with CO2 from the flue gas. By using amines,

Fig. 1. Equipment of energy-saving CO2 absorption process

liquid calcium and magnesium are extracted and after

ESCAP® at Niihama Nishi power station, Sumitomo

reacting with CO2, high-purity calcium or magnesium

Joint Electric Power Co., Ltd.

carbonate are produced. In methanol synthesis, CO2(This is the second commercial plant and produces

emitted from power plants, steel mills, cement plants,

CO2 for chemical production.)and chemical facilities reacts with hydrogen in a membrane reactor to synthesize methanol at high efficiency.

Although the chemical absorption method for CO2

We were awarded a NEDO project for optimal system

capture is mature, in order to accelerate CCUS, we stilldevelopment for methanol synthesis from CO2 jointly

have to overcome technological issues of cost reduc-with a private company in FY 2021.

tion and practical implementation. In particular, R&D to
decrease energy consumption in a solvent regeneration48

R&D Activities ● Chemical Research GroupRITE Today, 2024

process and enhancement of amine durability for a stable long-term operation are required.
In COURSE50, we also demonstrated the new technological concept with the possibility of further reducing
energy consumption by using the absorption solventwith an organic compound instead of water (Fig. 2). We
call the new technology mixed solvent, which can control the reaction mechanism of CO2 absorption and theeffect of polarization.
Since 2022, we have been working to develop novel

Fig. 3. Liquid absorbent and solid sorbent

compounds and optimal formulations of the mixed solvents for practical use under the NEDO Green Innova-

1) For coal-fired power plantstion Fund Project for the development of hydrogen re-

In 2010, RITE started the work to develop solid

duction technology using blast furnaces. In Januarysorbent materials for CO2 capture from the combustion

2024, bench-scale plant tests started at the Kimitsu

exhaust gas of coal-fired power plants (METI consign-

Steelworks of Nippon Steel Corporation. The new high-ment project). In the fundamental research phase (FY

performance mixed solvents developed by RITE are

2010–2014), we created a new amine suitable for solid

evaluated using actual blast furnace gas.

sorbents, and in a laboratory scale test with the newamine, we obtained the prospect of capture energy of
1.5 GJ/t-CO2 or less. This solid sorbent system is an innovative material that enables not only low energy capture but also a low temperature process at 60°C. Compared to other technologies that use amine-based solidFig. 2. Concept of mixed solvent

absorbents, this technology is at the top level globallyin terms of low-temperature regeneration.

4. Solid sorbent method for CO2 capture

In

the

practical

application

research

phase

Unlike a chemical absorbent where amines are dis-

(METI/NEDO consignment project) from FY 2015 tosolved in a solvent, such as water, a solid sorbent is one

2019 with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., (KHI) as awhere the amines are supported on a porous material,

partner, we conducted scale-up synthesis of solid ab-such as silica or activated carbon. In the process of us-

sorbent (>10 m3), bench scale tests (>5 t-CO2/day), anding a solid sorbent, reduction of CO2 capture energy canreal-gas exposure tests at a coal-fired power plant.

be expected because the heat of vaporization and sensible heat caused by the solvent can be suppressed.

In 2020, RITE was chosen for the NEDO commissioned project with KHI. In this project, with the cooperation of Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., KHI completed
trial operation of the pilot scale test facility (40 tCO2/day scale) constructed at the Maizuru power plant.
In the second half of 2023, CO2 capture tests havestarted using the solid sorbent supplied by RITE against49

R&D Activities ● Chemical Research GroupRITE Today, 2024

flue gas from the combustion exhaust gas emitted from

calculation results are also used in material develop-

the coal-fired power plant. (Fig. 4

ment.
2) For natural gas-fired power plants
In 2022, the Technology Development Project of CO2
Separation and Capture in the Green Innovation Fundproject started jointly with Chiyoda Corporation (organizer company) and JERA in order to commercialize lowcost CO2 separation and capture processes from natural
gas combustion exhaust gas.
The CO2 concentration contained in natural gas combustion exhaust gas is around 4%, which is lower thanFig. 4. Development roadmap of solid sorbent method forCO2 capture

the CO2 concentration in coal combustion exhaust gas(13%), and the oxygen concentration is as high as about
10%. Therefore, solid sorbent materials with high CO2

We are now working on elucidating the material de-absorption performance even at low CO2 concentra-

terioration mechanism to develop deterioration pre-tions and high durability against oxidation are required.

vention technology, studying reuse technology for used

RITE is in charge of the development of amines basedsolid sorbent, and studying efficient operating condi-

on the knowledge and technology accumulated during

tions using process simulation technology.

the R&D histories in this field, in addition to the devel-

For process simulation technology, we are developing a simulator that can predict the amount of CO2 cap-

opment of solid sorbent materials composed of developed amines and optimal support.

tured and the energy used for separation and capture

The stage gate for this project is set for FY 2024, andwith high accuracy in KHI’s moving bed system. (Fig. 5)

we have succeeded in developing a solid sorbent thatwill achieve the target this year. The developed solid
sorbent is characterized not only by the fact that it canbe regenerated at low temperatures but also by its excellent resistance to oxidative degradation (Fig. 6).
Therefore, the sorbent can be applied to natural gasfired power plant exhaust gases with relatively high ox-

Fig. 5. RITE's simulation technology

ygen concentrations.

In the pilot test, we plan to optimize the operating
conditions using this simulation technology.
In addition, the simulation is useful for understanding
the adsorption and desorption behavior inside the facility, which is difficult to observe in practice, and the50

R&D Activities ● Chemical Research GroupRITE Today, 2024

molecular gate membranes) exhibited excellent CO2/H2
separation performance. Fig. 8 presents a schematicthat summarizes the working principles of a moleculargate membrane.

Fig. 6. Comparison of commercial and developed aminesby oxidative degradation test.
Both y-axials show the same values.

5. Membrane separation
CO2 separation by membranes involves the selective
permeation of CO2 from the pressure difference between the feed side and the permeate side of the membrane. So, CO2 capture at low cost and low energy is
expected by applying the membrane processes to precombustion (Fig. 7). For this reason, we are currently de-

Fig. 8. Schematic illustration of the working principles ofthe molecular gate membraneveloping novel CO2 selective membrane modules that
effectively separate CO2 for precombustion.

Under humidified conditions, CO2 reacts with theamino groups in the membrane to form either carbamate or bicarbonate, which then blocks the passage of
H2. Consequently, the amount of H2 diffusing to theother side of the membrane is greatly reduced, and highconcentrations of CO2 can be obtained. A poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymer matrix is used for pressure durability and to immobilize the dendrimers.
We developed new types of molecular gate membranes that provide superior separation of the CO2/H2
gas mixtures. Based on this work, the Molecular Gate
Membrane module Technology Research Association(MGMTRA consists of the Research Institute of Innova-

Fig. 7. Schematic of the IGCC and hydrogen production

tive Technology for the Earth [RITE] and Sumitomo

plant with CO2 capture by CO2 selective membrane

Chemical Co., Ltd.) is conducting research in new mem-

modulesbranes, membrane elements, and membrane separation systems.

We found that novel polymeric membranes com-

In the NEDO project, CO2 Separation Membrane Sys-

posed of dendrimer/polymer hybrid materials (termed

tem Practical Research and Development/Developmentof CO2-H2 Membrane Separation Systems using High-51

R&D Activities ● Chemical Research GroupRITE Today, 2024

Performance CO2 Separation Membrane Modules, we

we succeeded in developing commercial-size mem-

conducted practical research and development to im-brane elements ( = 20 cm, L = 60 cm) (Fig. 10). As ofprove the separation performance and durability of the

FY 2024, we set the new application (small-scale, me-membrane elements, scale up the membrane modules,

dium pressure hydrogen production system [hydrogenand design membrane systems suitable for the CO2 uti-

production equipment with CO2 capture]), and we will

lization process based on previous results.

develop membrane module systems and conduct field

As for the development of membrane materials, wetests.

modified the membrane materials for a new application(small-scale, medium pressure hydrogen production
equipment). As a result, separation performance underthe medium pressure was improved as shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 10. CO2 selective membrane, membrane element, andmembrane module.
Membrane element: The structure with a large
membrane area composed of the membrane, supFig. 9. CO2/N2 Separation performances of MGM mem-

port, and spacer.

branes.

Membrane module: The structure in which the

Operating conditions of molecular gate mem-

membrane element is placed.

branes: temperature 85C, total pressure 0.85 MPa,
feed gas composition CO2/N2=20/80.
*Reference: Kamio et al., J Chem Eng Jpn 56 (2023)
2222000.

6. CO2 capture technology from the atmosphere
NEDO's Moonshot R&D Program was launched in FY
2020 as one of the systems to support the action planof the Environment Innovation Strategy, which aims to

By modification of membrane materials, both CO2

establish technologies that enable Beyond Zero by 2050.

permeance and CO2/N2 selectivity increased compared

RITE is working to develop technologies for high-ef-

with our previous modified membranes (in 2022). The

ficiency CO2 capture from the atmosphere and carbon

separation performance required to apply the mem-

circulation in cooperation with Kanazawa University andbranes for use with hydrogen production equipment

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., in the (1) Develop-

was obtained.

ment of technologies to capture, convert, and detoxify

As for the development of the membrane elements,

greenhouse gases of Goal 4 "Realization of sustainable
resource circulation to recover the global environment52

R&D Activities ● Chemical Research GroupRITE Today, 2024

by 2050."
The technology for capturing CO2 directly from theatmosphere called Direct Air Capture (DAC) is expected
to be one of the negative emission technologies. Seven
research themes on DAC, including the RITE’s theme,
have been adopted in the Moonshot R&D Project, andsix of them are still ongoing in 2023. Fig. 11 shows our
R&D items and a carbon cycle society as our goal.
Fig. 12. Lab test equipment for DAC

Fig. 11. Development of highly efficient DAC and carbon
recycling technologies

RITE is developing new amines suitable for DAC andstructured solid sorbents that show low-pressure drops
at a high flow rate and low energy consumption in CO2
desorption. The fundamental properties of both aminesand structured sorbents are collected using lab testing
equipment (Fig. 12), CO2 capture performances of real-Fig. 13. Schematic image of DAC system evaluation equip-

sized sorbents are evaluated using DAC system evalua-ment (upper) and DAC experimental laboratory intion equipment (Fig. 13, designed by Mitsubishi Heavy

RITE premise (below)

Industry Co., Ltd., and built on the RITE premises), andimproved sorbent structure and optimized operation

7. Common evaluation standard for CO2 capture mate-conditions are predicted by process simulation. Pilot-

rials

scale testing (0.5 t-CO2/day at the maximum) is sched-In order to move toward decarbonization, fuel anduled for 2025 at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Man-

energy sources in both the power and industrial sectors

ufacturing of solid sorbents and the pilot-scale DAC sys-

are shifting to renewable energy sources, but a certain

tem is underway.

amount of fossil-fuel-based thermal power generation
remains to meet electricity demand, and CO2 emissions
are inevitable. Therefore, it is necessary to develop low-53

R&D Activities ● Chemical Research GroupRITE Today, 2024

energy-consumption and low-cost technologies forCO2 capture from low-pressure and low-concentration
mixed gas, for example, a natural gas combustion gasof 10% or less with relatively low CO2 concentrations.
Since 2022, RITE has been conducting the NEDO
Green Innovation Fund Project for the establishment of
a common evaluation standard for CO2 capture materi-Fig. 14. Schematic of the test units for absorption, adsorption and membrane.

als in collaboration with the National Institute of Ad-(Each unit capacity: –100 kg-CO2/day)vanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). Alongwith the vision of the realization of a carbon neutral so-

In recent years, in the development of CO2 capture

ciety, a common base for CO2 capture materials will bematerials for carbon neutrality, test centers for CO2 cap-established, and it will support the enhancement of do-ture technologies have been established throughout

mestic companies’ global share of the expanded CO2

the world, but such a test center has not been organizedcapture market.

in Japan. We exchange opinions on a CO2 capture test

The project is scheduled for the nine years from 2022

center with domestic companies in the project and built

to 2030 (the first stage: 2022–2024) and will carry out

cooperative relationships with overseas organizations,the following R&D objectives: (a) formulation of stand-especially with ITCN (International Test Center Network)

ard evaluation methods using actual gas (installation

members. RITE will provide the first real gas test centerand operation of the test center), (b) establishment ofin Japan, which is used by companies and institutions

standard evaluation methods for development of inno-

involved in the development of CO2 capture materials.

vative capture materials, (c) development of durability

It will contribute to the promotion of domestic CO2 cap-

evaluation methods, and (d) database construction andture materials development so that Japan will continue

the spread of the standard evaluation methods.

to be the world's top operator of CO2 capture technol-

RITE will formulate standard performance evaluationogies.

methods using actual gas and develop a test center inthe first stage up to FY 2024 in order to evaluate CO2

8. Effective methanol synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation

capture materials at the flue gas conditions of power

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the causes of global

plants and boilers. The test center will be constructed at

warming; therefore, a significant reduction is a criticalthe RITE headquarter site in Kyoto. Three different test

global challenge and attaches special important to Car-facilities for absorption, adsorption, and membrane

bon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies. On theprocesses will be installed there, and a natural gas com-other hand, CO2 hydrogenation as a one of the utiliza-

bustion boiler will be the source of actual flue gas (Fig.

tion technologies that produces water and that causes

14). The basic engineering of the test center was com-deactivation of the catalyst and decreases the reaction

pleted in FY 2023.

rate. In order to solve these problems, we shed light onmethanol synthesis using CO2 as the raw material using
a membrane reactor that combines the membrane andthe catalyst.

54

R&D Activities ● Chemical Research GroupRITE Today, 2024

At RITE, we successfully developed a novel hydrophilic zeolite membrane, which has higher hydrothermal stability and water/methanol permselective performance compared to conventional LTA-type zeolite
membranes. This membrane was applied to the membrane reactor for methanol synthesis, and CO2 conversion was achieved at a rate three times higher compared to the conventional packed-bed reactor. Currently, we are studying the possibility of extending thelength of the developed dehydration membrane under
the NEDO project Development of Technologies for
Carbon Recycling and Next-Generation Thermal Power

Fig. 15. Temperature dependence of H2O/MeOH perm-

Generation / Development, and Demonstration of Tech-

selective performance though long-scale dehydra-

nologies for CO2 Utilization, and have succeeded in syn-tion membrane (100 mm-cut sample).

thesizing a practical length of dehydration membranewith comparatively high permeation and separation

Bench-scale membrane reactor tests equipped withperformance. We also succeeded in synthesizing a de-multiple dehydration membranes of practical length

hydration membrane with a practical length that haswith this performance are underway at JFE Steel (Fuku-

relatively high permeation separation performance. Inyama). We are also examining ways to improve the re-addition, target values (H2O permeability: 1 x 10-6 mol

producibility of practical-length dehydration mem-m

Pa , H2O/MeOH selectivity: >1,050) werebranes, and have successfully synthesized a membrane

achieved in the reaction temperature range for metha-

as long as that of the lab-scale test (champion data innol synthesis. Notably, the long dehydration membrane

the figure) by carefully examining the synthesized

exhibited high permeability at approximately twice themembranes and as shown in Fig. 16. This performancetarget value, an achievement that can be expected to

was higher or comparable to that of dehydration mem-

improve methanol synthesis efficiency when applied tobranes already commercially available (+ plot in the fig-a membrane reactor (Fig. 15).

ure). In addition, compared to LTA-type zeolite mem-

-2

s

-1

-1

branes, which are commonly used dehydration membranes, the Si-rich LTA membranes are expected to havehigher hydrothermal stability, which will enable theirapplication in separation systems that have had difficulty applying LTA-type zeolite membranes.

55

R&D Activities ● Chemical Research GroupRITE Today, 2024

Fig. 17. Schematic diagram of counter-diffusion CVD
method.

Recently, the global helium crisis has become an issue,
Fig. 16. H2O/MeOH permselective performance though
long-scale dehydration membrane

and it is important to find a way to secure helium. Considering energy conservation, a method to recover helium using a membrane separation method that does

9. He recovery membrane

not involve a phase change is considered the best op-

RITE has been developing silica membranes for hy-

tion. The smallest molecular size of helium is 0.26 nm,

drogen separation and has succeeded in producing var-and other small molecules are H2: 0.29 nm, CO2: 0. 33

ious silica membranes that can permeate hydrogen

nm, N2: 0.36 nm, and CH4: 0.38 nm. The silica mem-produced from a variety of different reactions, including

branes for hydrogen separation developed at RITE are

dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane (MCH), one ofconsidered to be sufficiently applicable to helium sepa-

the hydrogen carriers. The silica membrane was formed

ration. Currently, we are studying the development ofusing the counter diffusion chemical vapor deposition

longer silica membranes for helium separation under(CVD) method (Fig. 17). Oxygen was supplied from in-

the NEDO Leading Research Program / Leading Re-

side of the porous support, and a silica source was fed

search Program for the Creation of New Industry andto outside of that. When the pores are filled with silica,

Innovative Technology / Development of Highly Effi-

the reaction occurs preferentially in the unfilled areas,

cient Helium Membrane Separation and Recovery Tech-

allowing for the reproducible formation of silica mem-

nology in Nonflammable Gas Fields entrusted by the Ja-

brane with relatively high performance.

pan Fine Ceramics Center (JFCC).
10. CO2 fixation
CO2 fixation (CO2 mineralization) has the same basic
concept as enhanced weathering, which is one of thenegative emission technologies. It is a technology thatreacts CO2 with alkaline earth metals and immobilizes it
as a chemically stable carbonate, which is attracting attention as a CO2 fixation technology that does not affectthe ecosystem. In recent years, early implementation of56

R&D Activities ● Chemical Research GroupRITE Today, 2024

CO2 fixation using byproducts and waste containing al-

Industrialization Strategy Council, which includes a total

kaline earth metals is expected to contribute to theof 33 private companies (as of March 2024) and the Finebuilding of a sustainable society.

Ceramics Center, Inc., as a special member.

RITE has a proprietary process that has been devel-

From FY 2023, activities were expanded to promote

oped over many years for the fixation of CO2 as car-the following projects with the aim of establishing tech-bonate, and since 2020, in collaboration with private

nologies for CO2 separation and effective utilization thatcompanies, has been developing technology to extract

will contribute to innovative environmental and energy

alkaline earth metals from steel slag, waste concrete,technologies. We are promoting a variety of activities,

and other materials in a wet process and recover CO2

which include the following:

emitted from factories as a stable compound, as well as【General Activities】

developing effective technology for the production of(1) Sponsorship of research meetings

carbonate (Fig. 18).

(2) Free seminars for members only

With this process, energy savings have been

(3) Dissemination of information on needs and seeds

achieved by lowering the reaction temperature andand hot topics to members

shortening the reaction time, and a process in which the(4) Sponsorship of symposiums

liquid used once can be used again (application of re-【Individual Activities】

generated liquid) has been established. It has also been

(1) Plans for joint implementation projects funded byshown that the process can be scaled up. In addition, by

the government and NEDO

improving the solution used during extraction, a reduc-(2) Acceptance of researchers from council members totion in material costs can be expected. Based on thethe Research Section of the IMeRC and the imple-

knowledge and information that has been acquired somentation of training workshops

far, studies are currently being conducted with the aimof industrialization.

(3) Offers for technical guidance from the IMeRC Advisory Board and Research Section(4) Hosting exclusive technology seminars for council
members
In FY 2023, two research group activities werelaunched: the CO2 Separation and Recovery ResearchGroup and the Membrane Reactor Research Group.
In the CO2 Separation Study Group, the Chemical Research Group presented an overview of the DAC technology and topics of each DAC company.
In the Membrane Reactor Group, the Chemistry Research Group provided information on membrane reac-

Fig. 18. CO2 fixation as carbonates

tors in general and CO2-free hydrogen production inparticular.

11. Activities and efforts toward commercialization and

The members-only free seminars were held threeindustrialization

times at the venue and online. Researchers from univer-

The core of the Industrial Collaboration Division is thesities and private companies gave lectures on the latest

57

R&D Activities ● Chemical Research GroupRITE Today, 2024

R&D trends and case studies on CO2 capture and effec-

ment energy-saving and low-cost CO2 capture technol-

tive utilization, and active Q&A sessions took place.

ogies into our societies as soon as possible.

In addition, we conducted patent and literatureSpecially, the chemical absorption process will be en-searches related to the information presented at thehanced by the development of practical high-perfor-

lectures and sent out needs and seeds information twice

mance chemical solvents. For solid sorbents, we willwith comments from Chemical Research Group re-steadily conduct a pilot test planned to start FY 2023 on

searchers, and hot topics once with the latest infor-a scale of 40 t-CO2/day captured from flue gas at a coal-mation from academic society topics, METI, and NEDO,

fired power plant and steadily develop new sorbents forcontributing to the promotion of technological devel-

natural gas-fired flue gas. Regarding the DAC technol-

opment and improvement of knowledge of the mem-ogy, we will accelerate the system development andbers.

sorbent manufacturing for a bench-scale on-site

Two member companies participated in poster

demonstration at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. As for mem-presentations at the Symposium on Innovative CO2

brane separation, the project of a compact medium-

Capture and Effective Utilization held in February 2024.

pressure hydrogen production system started from2024. About the establishment of a common base for

12. Conclusion
The Chemical Research Group will continue to actively participate in the development of technology forevaluating CO2 separation materials, the construction of
the Real-Gas Test Center will be completed in 2024, andthe test using real gas will be initiated.

CO2 separation and capture from a variety of CO2 emis-Also, efforts will be continuously devoted for the ef-sion sources. In future, the Chemical Research Groupfective utilization of the captured CO2 and hydrogen

will be fully committed to the above-mentioned re-

production technologies for that purpose. We will de-search topics. For carbon capture technologies in avelop technology for CO2 fixation into carbonates using

stage very close to practical applications, we will con-steel slag and waste concrete and then explore technol-

duct scale-up studies and tests under real-gas condi-

ogy for recycling CO2 into fuel and chemical feedstocks.

tions with the aim of establishing the technology at an

Furthermore, we will further strengthen the cooperation

early stage for early implementation into society. It iswith the carbon capture industry through the establish-

necessary to develop technology that can handle low-ment of the Real-Gas Test Center and the activities ofconcentration CO2 emission sources. The negative

the Industrialization Strategy Council. We will continue

emissions technologies, such as DACCS making a sig-

to contribute to the development of domestic carbon

nificant contribution to sustainable development sce-

capture technology.

narios for decarbonization, will be the focus. As the CO2
concentration decreases, the amount of gas to betreated increases, and the oxygen concentration increases. The development of materials at low cost withhigher deterioration resistance and its corresponding
system is highly Important. We will accelerate the development of these technologies so that we can imple-

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