![Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation [2Nd Featured Article] People-Friendly Assistive Technology Development](http://data.docslib.org/img/4715406164e370f77c467d02e3d38065-1.webp)
2017 No.62
Reporting on Today and Tomorrow’s Energy, Environmental, and Industrial Technologies
[1st Featured Article] Highly Efficient and Eco-Friendly Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation [2nd Featured Article] People-Friendly Assistive Technology Development
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 1 2017/01/25 13:34 Directing the Future Perspectives on Future Technologies
Artificial Intelligence for People and Society Yoshiharu Habu Shogi Player
In March 2016, an artificial intelligence (AI) and a professional Go player played several Go matches and attracted tremendous interest. In the past, chess, Go, and Shogi players have played matches against computers, and it’s clearly shown the history of the evolution of computers. Lately, AI technologies such as “machine learning” and “deep learning” have drawn much attention, but the most difficult thing for these interactions between computers and humans is that the thinking process of an AI is done in a black box. People don’t know how the process leads from the question to the answer – people don’t know the way of thinking an advanced AI has followed. From now on, it is expected that AI will be leveraged in many situations in society, but for humans the way of thinking and the process are important as well. Unless there are convincing explanations and consensus, it might be difficult to be incorporated in the society even if the technologies are highly advanced. Additionally, AI is not 100% versatile. For example, in Shogi there is a term “horizon effect”. It means to procrastinate on solving major problems and disadvantages and cover them up, and eliminate them from the assessment of predictions. In the Go matches I mentioned at the beginning, there was only on match the human beat the AI and it is widely believed that it is because the AI suddenly went out of control or made mysterious mistakes. But I believe it was probably because of the horizon effect. Therefore, humans and AIs should complement each other, and humans always have to backup and check AIs. I feel it is necessary to deepen discussions on how we should use or not to use AI in society, not only in terms of rules and Yoshiharu Habu Born in 1970. Started playing Shogi legislation but also in terms of ethical and emotional preparation. when he was a first grader and then won the elementary students Shogi When an AI presents selections and decisions which are unfit to a human’s championship. Joined the Shoreikai, the training organization to cultivate aesthetics, should the human accept the AI’s decisions and change their professional Shogi players, when he was a sixth grader. Became the third aesthetics or should the human and AI choose their own ways? Either one middle school student in history to be could be possible, but when we face AI, I believe the challenge for humans a professional Shogi player. In 1986, won the rookie of the year award with is to see if we understand the answers drawn by AI and transform them the number one winning rate. In 1989, became the youngest Ryu-oh-i title into our technologies and knowledge for the improvement of human. When holder in the history. In 1994, became Meijin title holder. In 1996, became the we accomplish this task, I believe the new direction for the future will be first holder of all seven major titles in history. In 2008, became eligible to be established, which is completely different from the society and world as a Eisei Meijin title holder. Holds first place on various records including all-time continuation of the current ones. career titles and wins on official matches.
02
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 2 2017/01/13 16:00 Contents
2 0 Perspectives on Future Technologies Yoshiharu Habu, Shogi Player
04 1st Featured Article We'll Highly Efficient and answer your Eco-Friendly questions! Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation
04 Q.1 Is coal-fired thermal power necessary? 2nd Featured Article 06 Q.2 What will thermal power generation be 12 like in the future? People-Friendly Assistive Technology 09 column Japanese Thermal Power Technology Will Development Help Solve Global Pollution Problems 16 Easy to understand! News Release 10 Q.3 How do we address the issues of global Commentary warming? Explosion-Proof Inspection Robot Developed
18 After Project Follow Up! NEDO Project Success Stories Playback History Vol 2. Project to Create Photocatalyst Industry for a Recycling-Oriented Society
20 NEDO Information Information on Upcoming NEDO Events
2017 No.62
Reporting on Today and Tomorrow’s Energy, Environmental, and Industrial Technology “Focus NEDO” is the public relations magazine of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), introducing the public to NEDO’ s various projects and technology development activities related to energy, environmental and industrial technologies.
Focus NEDO 2017 No.62 03
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 3 2017/01/25 14:59 st We'll 1 Featured Article answer your Highly Efficient and Eco-Friendly questions! Next-Generation Thermal Development of thermal power technologies based on the use of coal and LNG (liquid natural gas) as fuel has continued to advance. By using a small amount of energy to generate as much power as possible, NEDO has been trying to reduce the amount of CO2 emitted, which is considered to be of the main problems with thermal power generation. This article covers next-generation thermal power generation technologies NEDO is aiming to develop.
Is coal-fired thermal power Q.1 necessary? Yes, it is. Because coal is the power source responsible for A.1 the stable power supply!
Thermal Power Generation is Essential renewable energy sources such as solar energy and wind energy in the future, thermal power is still important as a back-up power for a Stable Power Supply source to these energy sources since their power generation Thermal power generation is a method of generating power depends on the weather conditions,” Nobuyuki Zaima, Director by converting energy obtained from burning fuel into kinetic General of NEDO’s Environment Department, explains with energy through the use of a turbine, which is then used to produce regards to the role of thermal power. electrical energy by driving a generator. As for the future of thermal power, which currently is the core Because thermal power generation utilizes so-called fossil fuels of power generation in Japan, “Long-Term Energy Supply and such as natural gas, coal, and oil as fuel sources, there are many Demand Outlook”, determined by the Ministry of Economy, who say we should not use thermal power because it releases Trade and Industry (METI) in July 2015, says that coals, LNG the greenhouse gas CO2. Especially after the adoption of the and petroleum account for 88% of the total thermal power source Paris Agreement at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change in FY 2013, but the goal is to reduce the energy composition of Conference (COP21) last December, the interests of each country these three sources to 56% by FY 2030. Based on this, it aims on the discussions regarding energy policies and countermeasures to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by 26% in FY 2030 against global warming have been increased all around the world. compare to FY 2013. In Japan, scrutiny of the whole concept of thermal power has Mr. Zaima also says that coal-based thermal power is still a very increased as well. important power source throughout the world because of the low “First of all, Japan depends on imports for almost all■ 再生エネルギーthe energy cost. sources we use so we need to maintain a condition where■バイオマス we have “There are many countries that have coal as one of their natural various power generation methods available to maintain■水素 a stable resources, including countries in Africa as well as Central and South America which are in the middle of the economic energy supply. Thermal power using fuels such as■ coals原子力 takes one of these roles. Although we expect to increase the usage of development. To solve the problem of power shortages associated ■ガス ■石油 ▶Comparison of Power Source Composition, FY 2013 and FY 2030 ▶Worldwide Power Generation Breakdown by Source 原子力 1% 2013年度 ■石炭 原子力 （Mtoe） Thermal Efficiency（％） FY 2013 FY 2030 10,000 45 20～22% 2030年度 Japan Other Renewable Energy Japan 9,000 43 再生 1% Bio-energy 8,000 Hydrogen 41 エネルギー 11% Germany LNG 20～ Nuclear Power 11% 7,000 39 27% Germany 22% UK 27% 6,000 Gas 37 USA 石油 15% UK Petroleum 再生 LNG ■LNG 43% 5,000 15% 43% USA Coal 35 エネルギー ■Coal 22～ 4,000 22～24% Petroleum 24% 33 ■ 3,000 Australia 石炭 ■Renewable 30% Australia 26% 31 30% Energy 2,000 China China 29 ■Nuclear Power 1,000 46％ 37％ India 27 石炭 3% 0 石油 3% 26% India 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040（Year） 25 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012（Year） Thermal power will remain an important base load power source in the future. Coal-based power generation will still be necessary globally in the future. Source: METI, “Technology Roadmap for Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation” Source: IEA, “World Energy Outlook” 2002, 2004, 2007-2012, & 2014 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040（年） 04 ㉙発電効率 Thermal Efficiency ㉚年 Year
13％ Europe ㉛日本 Japan 33％ 30％ 273.7B t ドイツ Germany FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 4 2017/01/17 15:25 12％ 46％ North America イギリス UK 37％ 41％ 245.1B t アメリカ USA 30％ 58％ Central Asia & East Asia オーストラリア Australia 217.9B t 中国 China インド India 99％ South America 南アメリカ 48％ 51％ 49％ 48％ South-east Asia & Oceania 14.6B t Africa & Middle East 107.2B t 146億t 1％ 1％ 32.9B t
3％
Brown Recoverable Coal Reserve in the World: 891.5B t Coal Anthracite Coal 23％ + Anthracite Coal + Bituminous Coal: 410.1B t Bituminous Coal Subbituminous Coal: 276.4B t Subbituminous Coal 46％ Brown Coal: 205.0B t 31％ Osaki CoolGen Corporation (Osaki Kamijima-cho, Hiroshima) where Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle demonstration tests are conducted. See P.08 for more details. Power Generation
I have answered your question!
Nobuyuki Zaima Director General, NEDO Environment Department
Previously served as a Director of NEDO Research and Development Promotion Department’s Commercialization Promotion Group, and a Director of Environment Department’s Clean Coal Group. Project Manager of Project to Promote Japan’s Advanced Clean Coal Technology Overseas.
with economic development, it is important to use the energy For more than 30 years since its formation, NEDO has been resources available in your own country. Because of these reasons promoting the development of “Clean Coal Technology” which demand for thermal power is still high in the world.” utilizes coal more efficiently. According to the forecast produced by international energy ■再生エネルギー organizations, it is expected that demand for thermal power Making the World’s Thermal Power ■バイオマス increase further, especially in the emerging countries. ■水素 Highly Efficient ■原子力 Through Japanese Technology ■ガス Innovative Next-Generation Thermal ■石油 “Since power and economic activities have close connections, ■石炭 Power Generation Technology, （Mtoe） it is essentialThermal for every Efficiency country（％） to secure a ‘base-load power 10,000 45 Japan The Key to EconomicOther Development Renewable Energy source’ to ensure a stable power supply at all times with lowJapan costs 9,000 Bio-energy and low environmental43 load, although each country has its own 8,000 and CountermeasuresHydrogen against Climate 41 Germany Nuclear Power agenda. Japan already has very high technology in thermal power, 7,000 39 Germany UK Change6,000 Gas but I believe NEDO’s next-generation thermal power generation UK Petroleum 37 USA 5,000 USA Given what Coalwe’ve discussed, METI released the final report on technology 35will contribute to a lower environmental load and 4,000 the Technology Roadmap for Next-Generation Thermal Power more stable33 economic development not only domestically but also 3,000 Australia Australia 31 Generation2,000 at the end of June 2016 to present guidelines on the use internationally.” (by Mr. Zaima) China China 29 of thermal1,000 power effectively46％ for energy while37％ reducing the CO2 The keys needed for this innovative next-generation Indiathermal 27 ■再生エネルギー emission. 0Even after FY 2030, innovative technology development power generation to be useful worldwide are “high-efficiency” and India 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040（Year） 25 ■バイオマス on thermal power will be the key to accomplishing both economic “separation and 1992capture 1996 of CO 2 ”.2000 To accomplish 2004 2008 these 2012（ goals,Year we’ll） ■水素 development and developing a countermeasure against climate show you what kind of technology development NEDO has been ■原子力 change, and2000 NEDO 2005 acts 2010 as 2015 a catalyst 2020 2025 for technology2030 2035 2040（年） development. working on. ■ガス ■石油 ㉙発電効率 Thermal Efficiency ▶ ▶ ㉚年 Year ■石炭 Worldwide Recoverable Coal Reserves There Are Still Many Low-Efficiency Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plants around the World （Mtoe） 13％ Thermal Efficiency（％） Europe 日本 Japan 10,000 45 ㉛ Japan 33％Other30％ Renewable273.7B t Energy ドイツ GermanyJapan 9,000 12％ 46％ North America 43 イギリス UK 37％Bio-energy 41％ 245.1B t 8,000 Hydrogen 41 アメリカ USA 30％ 58％ Central Asia & East Asia オーストラリア AustraliaGermany Nuclear Power 217.9B t 7,000 39 Germany 中国 UK China 6,000 Gas 37 インド IndiaUSA UK Petroleum 99％ 5,000 South America Coal 南アメリカ 48％ 51％ USA 49％ 48％ South-east Asia & Oceania 14.6B t 35 4,000 Africa & Middle East 107.2B t 146億t 1％ 32.9B t 33 3,0001％ Australia Australia 31 2,0003％ China China Brown Recoverable Coal Reserve in the World: 891.5B t 29 1,000 46％ Coal Anthracite Coal37％ India 23％ + Anthracite Coal + Bituminous Coal: 410.1B t Bituminous Coal 27 0 Subbituminous Coal: 276.4B t India Subbituminous Coal 46％ 25 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040（Year）Brown Coal: 205.0B t 31％ 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012（Year） Japanese coal-fired thermal power technology is some of the most advanced in the world. If Coal varieties which are low in acquisition cost are available all around the world and the main NEDO can expand the use of Japanese technology to generate more power with less coal 2000 2005power 2010 generation 2015 source2020 in 2025 many developing2030 2035 countries 2040（年） is thermal power. overseas, we can contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. Source: World Energy Council 2013, “Survey of Energy Resource” Source: ECOFYS “International comparison of fossil fuel power generation efficiency” (2013) ㉙発電効率 Thermal Efficiency ㉚年 Year Focus NEDO 2017 No.62 05 13％ Europe ㉛日本 Japan 33％ 30％ 273.7B t ドイツ Germany 12％ 46％ North America イギリス UK 37％ 41％ 245.1B t アメリカ USA 30％ 58％ Central Asia & East Asia オーストラリア Australia FocusNEDO62_eng.indd217.9B t 5 2017/01/25 10:27 中国 China インド India 99％ South America 南アメリカ 48％ 51％ 49％ 48％ South-east Asia & Oceania 14.6B t Africa & Middle East 107.2B t 146億t 1％ 1％ 32.9B t
3％
Brown Recoverable Coal Reserve in the World: 891.5B t Coal Anthracite Coal 23％ + Anthracite Coal + Bituminous Coal: 410.1B t Bituminous Coal Subbituminous Coal: 276.4B t Subbituminous Coal 46％ Brown Coal: 205.0B t 31％ st
1HighlyFeatured Efficient and Eco-Friendly Article Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation
the aim of establishing “1,700°C-class” gas turbine technology by 2020 (see P.07). Currently the main method of thermal power What will thermal power generation using LNG is called “Gas Turbine Combined Cycle (GTCC)”, which generates power with generators that rely on generation be like in the moving gas turbines using high-temperature gas produced by Q.2 future? burning LNG along with steam turbines using steam produced by the high-temperature gas, and our demonstration project uses GTCC as a basis. Thermal efficiency will be Gasification of Coal, Power Generation A.2 significantly increased! with Steam Raising Thermal Efficiency by Combining Fuel Cells Too Increasing Thermal Efficiency with Gas On the other hand, in the case of coal-based thermal power, the Turbines that Can Withstand High- main method has been burning coal and producing steam to move steam turbines and generate power. However, by the practical Temperature Gases full-scale application of “Integrated Coal Gasification Combined With the heat generated by the combustion of fossil fuels, how Cycle (IGCC)” technology, which burns gas produced from coal much power can be generated? This is called the “thermal gasification to move gas turbines and then utilizing heat produced efficiency” for thermal power. Given that LNG and coal are the by the process to move steam turbines, the efficiency of coal most common forms of fuel used for thermal power generation, thermal power can be improved moving forward. Further in the NEDO is promoting the development of technologies to enhance future, we have a view to realize “Integrated Coal Gasification the thermal efficiency for these fuel sources. Fuel Cell Combined Cycle (IGFC)” technology, which generates In regards to thermal power from LNG, there is an issue with additional power with fuel cells by utilizing hydrogen present in the turbines, the devices which transform the heat energy of the the gases produced. gas into kinetic energy, in terms of what temperature of gas they NEDO is promoting the “Integrated Coal Gasification Fuel Cell can withstand without melting. Raising the temperature of gas Combined Cycle Demonstration Project” and has set goals to that turbines can withstand is one challenge to improving power achieve a transmission end efficiency of 46% in the demonstration generation efficiency. Currently “1,600°C-class” gas turbines for of IGCC by FY 2018, and a thermal efficiency of 40% while thermal power generation offer the best performance of turbines capturing 90% of CO2 in the demonstration of IGCC in CO2 that are in practical service, but if it is possible to further improve separation and capture-style by FY 2020. Additionally, NEDO the temperature that turbines can operate then efficiency will aims to achieve a thermal efficiency of 55% in the demonstration also be further improved. NEDO has been conducting the “High- of IGFC by 2021. Efficiency Gas Turbine Technology Demonstration Project” with
Prospects of Next-generation Thermal Power Generation Technology, Raising Efficiency and Lowering Carbon Emission
Thermal Efficiency Triple Combined Cycle Fuel Cell + Gas Turbine + Steam Turbine GTFC Thermal 65％ Combined Cycle Efficiency: approx. 63% Gas Turbine + Steam Turbine 1,700°C class-GTCC Power Generation 60％ Efficiency: approx. 57% CO2: approx. 20% reduction CO2: approx. 30% reduction CO2: approx. 10% reduction LNG-Fired Thermal Power IGFC Thermal 55％ Efficiency: approx. 55% GGTCC Thermal CO2: approx. 20% reduction Efficiency: approx. 52%
A-USC Thermal 1,700°C-class IGCC Triple Combined Cycle 50％ Efficiency: Thermal Efficiency: approx. 46% 46 - 50% Fuel Cell + Gas Turbine + Steam Turbine Coal-Fired Thermal Power 45％ USC Power Thermal : Combined Cycle approx. 40% Gas Turbine + Steam Turbine 40％ Single Cycle Projected thermal efficiencies and CO2 emissions in the chart have been calculated based on various assumptions drawn from current conditions. Steam Turbine (Created based on METI’s “Technology Roadmap for Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation Technical Reference”)
Present Around 2020 Around 2030
06
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 6 2017/01/23 11:18 NEDO Project Technology Development file1 Strengthening the Capability of Turbines, and Achieving High- efficiency Power Generation with Higher Temperature Gas We have answered your question!
Kouichi Ishizaka Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Research & Innovation Center Project Manager Jun Sato Chief Officer NEDO Environment Department Clean Coal Group
Rotor from a 1,500°C-class gas turbine already in service Head Ishizaka of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (right) and Chief Officer Sato of NEDO.
Air intake Surviving Increasingly Fierce 15°C/atmospheric pressure Gas turbine Competition Steam turbine World-Leading Japanese Gas Turbines Output Max. 680MW As part of a NEDO project, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which Generator has already put the world’s highest class 1,600°C-class gas turbine into practical service, is taking on empirical research into 1,700°C-class turbines with the aim of establishing the Approx. 15m long technology by FY 2020. While the power generation efficiency of Fuel injection 1,600°C-class gas turbines is 54%, it is expected the 1,700°C-class Combustion condition 1,700°C/25-35 gas turbine could reach a power generation efficiency of 57%. air pressure “We are facing fierce competition from the USA and Germany over developing the capabilities of gas turbines. Since it requires Mechanism of the 1,700°C Steam from exhaust heat recovery boiler class gas turbine combined cycle Approx. 650-700°C/170 air pressure a long time and tremendous amount of funds to develop the technology, it is necessary for these nations to work together. It is not easy to lead the world and realize the 1,700°C-class gas turbine,” says Mr. Sato, Chief Officer of NEDO’s Environment into the gas turbine would increase the emission of nitrogen Department. oxide (NOx), which increases air pollution in an exponential fashion when the temperature of the gas is raised. Therefore, it is necessary to develop technology to limit the NOx emission by Improving the Capability of Every being creative in the shape of the combustor. Device As for the blades of the turbine, they would melt down if kept The Challenge of “Seeing the Summit” exposed to 1,700°C even if they were coated with heat-resistant ceramics. So we place heat vents inside the blades to cool them of the 1,700°C-Class down from the inside so the blades can be cooled with less air “Realizing the 1,700°C class gas turbine requires a wide range more efficiently. of technologies. We set goals for each device from combustor to With regards to the NEDO project, Mr. Ishizaka says, “It is great turbine then work to integrate them together,” says Mr. Koichi to work on the development of various technologies as a package.” Ishizaka, Head of the Gas Turbine Development Center at the This nine-year project is now in its fifth year. “We are moving to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Research & Innovation Center, in the phase of integrating the technologies we’ve developed into explaining the difficulties of improving performance 100°C from each device. I feel like we are half way through, and we are just 1,600°C to 1,700°C. starting to see the summit we are trying to reach to establish this For example, a combustor which burns gas before sending gas technology,” he says.
Focus NEDO 2017 No.62 07
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 7 2017/01/25 10:27 st
1HighlyFeatured Efficient and Eco-friendly Article Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation
NEDO Project Technology Development file2 Triple Combined Power Generation by Using Fuel Cells in Combination with Coal Gasification, Gas Turbines, and Steam Turbines We have answered your question!
Kenji Aiso President and Representative Director OSAKI CoolGen Corporation Seiichi Yamamoto Chief Officer NEDO Environment Department Clean Coal Group
technology instead of combusting coal in its normal form. Applying the Accomplishments from Experiments at the Pilot Plant to Larger Scale Demonstration Power Plants In the past, NEDO conducted the “Multi-purpose Coal Gasification Technology Development-Coal Energy Application for Gas, Liquid & Electricity (EAGLE)” program through FY 2014 to improve the efficiency of coal-based thermal power. There, NEDO did demonstration tests with “oxygen injection” instead of air to increase the heat generation of coal gas when gasifying coals in the gasification furnace. Why do we gasify coal instead of burning it as is? Because converting coal to flammable gas enables the application of combined cycle technology as used in LNG-fired thermal power to increase overall efficiency. In addition, we can recover CO2 before burning which enables efficient CO2 separation and capture. Moreover, even low-grade varieties of coal such as brown coal which are difficult to use as they are can be utilized in gasification. These low-grade varieties of coal cost less and account for half of all the recoverable coal reserves in the world, but they are not fully utilized. The project NEDO is conducting with Osaki CoolGen is designed to apply the accomplishments from the EAGLE pilot plant to a demonstration test at the gasification furnace which is eight times the size and close to actual scale, so the results will easily be transferred to practical application. “This project is considered President Aiso of Osaki CoolGen Corporation (right) and Chief Officer Yamamoto of NEDO one of the highest priority projects in the NEDO Environment in front of Osaki CoolGen plant. Department and I can sense the high expectations,” emphasizes Mr. Seiichi Yamamoto, Program Manager and Chief Officer of the NEDO Environment Department. Coal Thermal Power as a Base-load Power Source Aiming for Significant Efficiency Improvements As part of an effort ultimately aimed at utilizing coal more efficiently while reducing the burden on the environment, Osaki CoolGen Corporation, based in Osaki Kamijima-cho, Hiroshima on one of the islands in the beautiful Seto Inland Sea area, has been working on NEDO’s “Integrated Coal Gasification Fuel Cell Combined Cycle Demonstration Project” to significantly improve coal-based thermal power. Under the motto of “use whatever technologies are available to improve thermal efficiency”, they are about to demonstrate combined cycle as well as triple combined cycle systems based on the use of coal gasification
08
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 8 2017/01/23 11:22 Osaki CoolGen oxygen injection IGCC demonstration test facilities which have started integrated test runs. Coal Gasification Unit (Credit: Osaki CoolGen Corporation)
Gas Turbine Unit
Air Separation Unit Three-Phase Project Gas Clean-up Unit Oxygen Injection IGCC, CO2 Separation Sulfur Recovery Unit and Capture, and Fuel Cell The project is going to have three phases before reaching the final year of the project in FY 2021. The first phase is the demonstration New Wastewater Treatment Unit of the Oxygen Injection Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology. In this phase we gasify coal particles in gasification furnaces to move gas turbines and use the heat The second phase of the demonstration involves the CO2 produced to move steam turbines as well to achieve combined separation and capture technology. We separate a part of gas power generation. produced from the coal and recover 90% of the CO2 content, Installation and configuration of all the equipment for the with the goal of reaching a purity of 99% or above, and then demonstration power plant has been completed and full-scale assess the reliability and economic efficiency of integrating test runs started in August. “We have completed combining CO2 separation and capture with IGCC. Then the third phase is all the equipment and started test runs of IGCC. We’ll verify the demonstration of the Integrated Coal Gasification Fuel Cell the reliability through a 5,000-hour long-term endurance test. Combined Cycle (IGFC) technology, which will use the hydrogen Safety is the most important thing for this kind of facilities. (H2) content of the coal gas to generate power through fuel cells Ensuring safety and environmental conservation are our highest in addition to the gas turbines and steam turbines in the IGCC. priorities and we’ll try to accomplish our goals of technology “We would like to develop the IGFC system technology once development,” says Mr. Kenji Aiso, President and Representative we establish each component technology,” Mr. Aiso says. “The Director of OSAKI CoolGen Corporation. While traditional coal- goal of the ‘Technology Roadmap for Next-Generation Thermal fired thermal power creates a large amount of ash as a byproduct, Power Generation’ is to reduce CO2 by 30% by 2030 through with coal gasification those impurities will be exhausted as a IGFC implementation. To accomplish it the government and reduced volume of glassy slag. In the EAGLE project, we verified private sector have come together for the further improvement of that this molten slag made of coal cinders can be stably removed. the efficiency of next-generation thermal power systems,” Chief Officer Yamamoto of NEDO says.
Potential for Coal-Based Thermal ▲ ▲▲ Power Infrastructure Export ▲▲▲ ▲▲▲ ▲▲ ▲ ▲▲ ▲▲▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ Japanese Thermal Power ▲ ▲▲ ▲▲ ▲▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ Technology Will Help ▲ ▲ ▲▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ Solve Global Pollution ▲ ▲▲ ▲▲▲▲▲ ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ ▲▲ Problems ▲ ▲ ▲▲ NEDO is conducting 61 feasibility study projects in 29 countries. ▲ 31 of them are high-efficiency coal-based thermal power projects ▲ igh-efficiency coal-based thermal po er while 17 of them are low-grade coal projects (gasification, quality ▲ improvement, or desiccation). o -grade coal utili ation ▲Others
Although people have a strong interest in reducing CO2 Efficiency Clean Coal Technology” since FY 2011, which has emissions from coal-fired thermal power, conventional low involved 61 projects in 29 countries that have been done. By performance thermal power plants are still in use in many introducing Japanese thermal power technology as a package developing countries. Problems such as atmospheric pollution to these partner countries, it is expected to lead further and environmental destruction caused by the sulfur oxides infrastructure exports. (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced by burning coal as well as the smoke have still not been solved. Attracting Attention from All Around the World! On the other hand, Japanese thermal power plants have World‘s Highest Level Coal-Based Thermal Power Plant cleared the strictest emission control values for SOx and The J-POWER Isogo Thermal Power NOx. In addition, once power generation methods such as Plant is the world’s cleanest coal- based thermal power plant. They IGCC and IGFC are established it will be a great opportunity incorporate a flue gas desulfurization to disseminate eco-friendly high-efficiency thermal power system, and the SOx and NOx technology not only in Japan but also in other countries with emissions are one digit lower than those of other countries’ coal thermal large coal-based thermal power demands. power plants. It realizes the possibility To improve energy efficiency of partner countries and of eco-friendly coal-based thermal contribute to solving global environmental issues, NEDO power generation near a city center. Photo Credit: J-POWER Electric Power has conducted the “Project Formation Research on High- Development Co., Ltd.
Focus NEDO 2017 No.62 09
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 9 2017/01/25 10:27 st
1HighlyFeatured Efficient and Eco-Friendly Article Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation
The interim report of the “Council for Promoting the Early How do we address the Realization of Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation” co- issues of global warming? hosted by METI and NEDO, set a process cost in the range of Q.3 2,000 to 3,000 yen per ton CO2 as a development goal for CO2 separation and capture. To accomplish this, NEDO has focused attention on the physical absorption method which is relatively 2 We promote CO separation lower in cost for CO2 separation and capture. Therefore, the and capture technology “CO2 separation and capture” system in the second phase of the development! “Integrated Coal Gasification Fuel Cell Combined Cycle” Osaki A.3 CoolGen project is a demonstration using the physical absorption method.
CO2 from Separation and Capture Will Absorbing and Separating CO2 Be a Valuable Resource
Chemically or Physically “As part of a METI project, an experiment to store CO2 in Reducing CO2 emissions is a major issue for thermal power. To an aquifer under the sea floor has been conducted (see P.11). solve this problem, the technology to separate and recover CO2 Our future goal is to connect the CO2 separation and capture emissions has been developed. “Basically we seek to reduce CO2 technology NEDO has been working on with these technologies, emissions by improving the overall efficiency, but if we have to and establish a new system to separate, capture, and store CO2,” reduce CO2 emissions even further we can store it after being says Dr. Takenobu. recovered, which is a solution called ‘CO2 Capture and Storage In addition, if we establish technology to extract carbon (C) from (CCS)’. NEDO is aiming to resolve the issues involved with the captured with a high-purity level of 99%, and then convert it to separation and capture technology first. Improving efficiency and energy such as methane (CH4), it is possible to transform “bad” CO2 separation and capture will work together simultaneously,” into a valuable resource. NEDO is also conducting research into says Dr. Koichi Takenobu, Chief Officer of NEDO Environment such potential uses of . Department. In addition, if we establish technology to extract carbon (C) from Among CO2 separation and capture technologies, there are two captured CO2 with a high-purity level of 99%, and then convert it methods for CO2 absorption: the chemical absorption method and to energy such as methane (CH4), it is possible to transform “bad” the physical absorption method. CO2 into a valuable resource. NEDO is also conducting research “In the chemical absorption method, CO2 is absorbed using into such potential uses of CO2. a chemical solution that reacts to capture CO2 when heated. “In the context of thermal power generation and CO2 emissions, Alternatively, the physical absorption method uses adjustments in the main issue is to improve the efficiency of power generation pressure and temperature conditions to selectively absorb CO2.” to reduce CO2 emissions, but I believe it is important to have the
Prospects of Next-Generation CO2 Capture-Related Technology Development
CO2 separation and capture cost Chemical Absorption Method High Separation and Capture Cost: 4,200yen/ton-CO2
Solid Absorbent Method
Membrane Separation Method Physical Absorption Method Separation & Capture Cost: 2,000yen level/ton-CO2 goal
Closed IGCC ※The costs reviewed in the chart above are estimates based on Maintain high power generation Low various assumptions. (Created based on METI’s “Technology efficiency after capturing CO2 Roadmap for the Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation Technology Reference”)
Present Around 2020 Around 2030
10
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 10 2017/01/23 11:38 CO2 Separation & Capture Concept (Chemical Absorption Method)
Carbon dioxide To atmosphere Nitrogen High-purity CO2 Five Pillars for NEDO’s To transportation process Oxygen and others Heat exchanger Next-Generation Thermal Transfer heat between low-and Low-temperature high-temperature absorbent absorbent Exhaust gas Power Generation High-temperature absorbent after removing CO2 Technology Development Heat
Absorbent with CO2 1. Integrated Coal Gasification Fuel Cell Separation equipment Capture equipment Combined Cycle Demonstration Capture CO2 from absorbent Separate CO2 from exhaust gas ◎Establishment of oxygen injection IGCC technology CO2 chemical absorption method (Credit: provided by Japan CCS Co., Ltd.) ◎Demonstration of triple combined power generation technology
capability to also separate and capture CO2. By disseminating these next-generation thermal power generation technologies, I 2. High Efficiency Gas Turbine Technology think the image of coal will also be changed.” Demonstration
◎Practical application of 1,700°C-class gas turbines ◎Practical application of advanced humid air turbines (AHAT) I have answered your question! 3. Advanced Ultra-Supercritical (A-USC) Koichi Takenobu Thermal Power Technology Development Chief Officer, NEDO Environment Department ◎Development of high-capacity boiler-turbine systems
4. Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation Fundamental Technology Development
◎Development of next-generation gasification system Demonstration Tests for CO2 Storage technology Have Been Conducted in Japan Too ◎Research on component technologies for cleaning up coal gas for use in fuel cells Japan CCS Co., Ltd. has been conducting demonstration ◎Development of gas turbine fuel cell combined cycle tests to store separated and captured CO2 at the Tomakomai technology CCS Demonstration Project Center (part of the METI ◎Research on the applicability of fuel cell coal gas “Carbon Dioxide Reduction Technology Demonstration ◎Development of CO2 separating chemical combustion Project”). More than 100 thousand tons of CO2 annually is coal utilization technology injected into a reservoir under the sea floor within the port area of Tomakomai Port. 5. CO2 Capture Closed IGCC Technology Development
Gas Supply Facility CO2 Separation and Capture Facilities CO2 Injection Facilities
Existing Supply Facility Separation and Injection Storage Capture 100 thousand tons/year or more ※Variable depending on the operating condition of the Pipeline gas supply facility Injection Well Delivery
Gas Containing CO2
Shielding Layer Reservoir Technology Development for Moebetsu Formation Sandstone Layer Depth beneath the sea floor: 1,100-1,200 meters It requires a geological Next-generation Thermal Power structure with a reservoir and shielding layer above it. Generation Efforts towards FY 2030 (coal, LNG) Efforts towards beyond FY 2030 Shielding Layer Reservoir (e.g. Mudstone) (e.g. Sandstone) (CCUS, hydrogen power generation) Shielding Layer Layer with mudstone Layer with porous rock such as which blocks CO2 sandstone which can store CO2 Reservoir in those small gaps. Takinoue Formation T1 Layer Depth beneath the sea floor: 2,400-3,000 meters
Demonstration test to store CO2 underground conducted in Tomakomai. (Credit: provided by Japan CCS Co., Ltd.)
Focus NEDO 2017 No.62 11
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 11 2017/01/25 10:27 nd 2 Featured Article Good People-Friendly Assistive Technology morning! NEDO has supported many businesses working on the development of assistive technologies. The total number of the technologies developed so far has been 207 over 23 years. Here we’ll present some of the assistive technologies now being utilized in daily life, which are useful for the elderly and people with disabilities while also being developed to reduce the burden placed on care givers. Personal Care Communication Device
CASE 2 Wallet-Style Portable Personal Mobility Bill Recognition System Communication Robot (WHILL) System IO Co., Ltd. Ray Tron Inc. Wallet with the capability to recognize This robot has features allowing it to carry ▶︎P15 the type of bills contained and inform the on a conversation with people, control user by voice, buzzer, or vibration. Carried home electronics, inform users of the times by visually impaired people, especially for meals and baths, provide users with by completely blind people, to help avoid computational problems, and entertain problems with giving and receiving bills. It people. It helps daily life by supporting users also informs the user of electronic account to be independent. balances.
CASE 1 This is Good Retinal Scanning Laser one thousand morning! yen Eye Wear QD Laser, Inc. ▶︎P14
Super Market
Care Plaza
Improving Quality of Life through such as welfare institutions or nursing homes in order to support the development and practical application of people-friendly assistive Technology to Support Longevity & technologies. Also, NEDO conducts studies of user needs for assistive Welfare in Society products to gather the information and identify issues for future development of assistive devices, and the results are shared with the Expectations for assistive technology development to realize a public. We will exhibit and present a wide range of assistive products friendlier society for the elderly and people with disabilities have created through NEDO’s assistive technology practical application increased because of the rapid aging of Japanese society. However, and development support projects at the International Home Care & assistive products need to be personalized and generally marketing Rehabilitation Exhibition in October. and development risks are high, so it is very difficult for a company to Besides home care support, there is now a need to address higher try to put a technology in to practical use all on their own. level needs of the elderly and people with disabilities in everyday Therefore, to support the promotion of practical applications for life, such as supporting meaningful and self-fulfilling lives. Here are assistive products, in addition to sponsoring grants to help cover some examples of assistive devices developed by leveraging NEDO’s development costs for assistive technologies, NEDO matches support programs. companies working on product development of assistive technologies with organizations or individuals who can provide user evaluations
This is one thousand 12 yen
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 12 2017/01/23 11:43 Prosthetic Limb & Development Brace
Travel Equipment
Care Worker Support
Lightweight & Low-cost Electric Hand Daiya Industry Co., Ltd. This is a new type of lightweight and low- cost prosthetic Good Goodhand designed to be easily wearable and morning!morning!operable and can be created using a 3D printer. Wheelchair Accessible Electric Tricycle YDS A motorized tricycle with a similar feeling to operating a scooter which can be mounted from or dismounted to a wheelchair through Suit to Reduce Care the operation of a simple lever. Workload Smart Support Technologies, Inc. A suit to reduce the load on the back caused by care work. By using stretchy materials, this suit gently assists the movement of the care giver.
Good morning!
Super Market
Care Plaza
ThisThis is is Development Support Project for Practical Application of Problem- oneone thousandthousand Solving Welfare Equipment Since FY 1993, We Have Supported 207yenyen Outstanding Adopted themes by functional category (total listed themes = 219)
Technology Projects. Mobility Equipment 67 Since FY 1993, NEDO has supported the development of outstanding assistive Personal Care-Related Products 61 technologies as well as creative and practical assistive products. The number of Communication Devices 42 projects completed by the end of FY 2015 is 207. Total Listed Themes 219 Development Support Project for Practical Application of Problem- Solving Welfare Equipment 福祉用具実用化開発支援事業 Prosthetic Limbs & Braces 22 Business Summary 採択テーマの機能別分類（掲載テーマ総数：219件） 1) Development Period: Within移動機器 67 3 years Others 5 2) Funding Ratio: Up to 2/3 ofパーソナルケア関連用具 61 amount (for grants involving large corporations Construction & Housing Equipment 6 exceeding a certain ratio, upコミュニケーション機器 42 to 1/2) 義肢、装具 22 3) Annual Funding Amount: Up to 20 million yen per project (10 million yen Rehabilitation Equipment 7 スポーツ・レク用具 9 and under until FY 2014) リハビリテーション機器 7 Sport & Recreation Products 9 4) How to Apply: Submit a proposal建築・住宅設備 6 during the open application period その他 5
This is one thousand Focus NEDO 2017 No.62 13 yen
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 13 2017/01/25 10:27 nd
2 People-friendlyFeatured Assistive ArticleTechnology Development
CASE 1 Laser Light Helps Partially Blind to See The “Laser Eye Wear” system directly beams a very fine laser onto the retina. Using a small camera attached to the frame of the device, images are captured and projected directly onto the retina to convey to the user, providing focus-free functionality regardless of the user’s vision or focal distance. Reflector To develop this revolutionary vision assistance device, a wide range of the cutting-edge technologies were used. RGB Laser Crystalline Lens Retinal Scanning Laser Eye Wear Retinal projection vision aid eye wear being developed by QD Laser, Inc. Laser light beamed from a small projector Eyeball mounted in the frame is decomposed and projected into the MEMS Mirror eye as scanning lines to project images on the retina. Even with visual impairments or very weak eye sight, as long as the retina is functioning the user can gain sight. Retinal Projection
Mr. Sugawara, President of QD Laser, Inc. (left) and Chief Officer Ikeda of NEDO
Asked Mitsuru Sugawara, president of QD Laser, Inc. for technology development aimed at practical application. Asked Muneaki Fukuoka, co-founder and CTO of WHILL Inc.
NEDO’s Support Finding Applications for Optometrists and 2013 Started to develop Smart Glasses Expanding the Market 2014 Focused on vision assistance 2015 Selected as part of NEDO’s “ Development Currently we are trying to obtain medical device approvals in Support Project for Practical Application of Japan, the US, and Europe. We have a plan to conduct clinical Problem-Solving Welfare Equipment” trials at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. We have 2016 Finished creating the prototype of the “Laser Eyewear” also been negotiating with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) regarding clinical trials in Japan. To be honest with you, I didn’t know very much about people with Development Started with a Phone Call visual impairments until we developed this product. Now I attend academic conferences and have learned a lot about them. We Our company primarily developed laser technologies, but we expect to complete the mass production line in February 2017 have always wanted to create a new original market. When we and launch the product as a medical device in the second half of created the prototype of our eyewear, there was a phone call the next year, but first we have to establish the infrastructure. We from a college professor who had been studying education for hope it will become normal to choose either regular glasses or the visually impaired who showed a strong interest in trying the laser glasses after visiting the optometrist or optician for an eye devices. When the students tried them on, they were very happy sight check. Then, people without visual impairments can start and said they could see well. We felt we had discovered a real to use them and they will become tools suitable for the IoT era. need for our eyewear and we decided to try to develop a vision That is my hope. aid eyewear product. Secured Funds as a Start-up
The biggest challenge for development was raising funds. Although we had a precise technology development roadmap, NEDO’s Voice we couldn’t raise funds even through creative efforts because of Comment from the Person in Charge the long period of time required for the commercialization of the Tomohiro Ikeda product. That was when we learned about NEDO’s “ Development Chief Officer, NEDO Innovation Promotion Support Project for Practical Application of Problem-Solving Department Platform Group This eyewear is a groundbreaking assistive device. Welfare Equipment” and submitted our proposal, which was When we introduced this product at the NEDO exhibition, I felt happy to see the visitors try them and selected as one of the supported projects. Now we have secured become astonished after hearing my explanation. I funding so we can start the development of basic technologies. We hope they become widespread globally and people all around the world use them. were very thankful because this support program can be leveraged
14
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 14 2017/01/13 16:01 CASE 2 Mobility Everyone Wants to Use Unlike the traditional power-operated wheelchair, “WHILL Model A” is a personal mobility device capable of spinning in place or going over a big step by using special front wheels and a powerful four-wheel drive. With its stylish design, “WHILL Model A” has drawn attention from various quarters.
WHILL Model A Personal mobility device developed by WHILL Inc. The customized front wheels consist of 24 laterally facing small wheels, and the body can spin in place centered on the back wheels. A powerful four-wheel drive enables it to go over steps as high as 7.5cm.
Demonstration at the G7 Ise- Shima Summit※
Mr. Fukuoka, Co-founder and CTO of WHILL Inc. (left) and Chief Officer Takeuchi of NEDO
Asked Muneaki Fukuoka, co-founder and CTO of WHILL Inc. Practical Application of Problem-Solving Welfare Equipment”. Their system fit the sense of speed we were seeking perfectly NEDO’s Support and the policy to focus on commercialization coincided with our direction too. This is how we made a big step forward in research 2012 Started to develop a personal mobility device 2013 Selected as NEDO’s "Innovation and development and accomplished commercialization in 2014. Commercialization Venture Support Project" We are working on further development to solve new issues. 2014 Developed the personal mobility device “WHILL Model A” Helped to Improve Publicity and Creditworthiness 2015 Selected as NEDO’s “Development Support Project for Practical Application of Problem- Solving Welfare Equipment” We’ve also found our publicity and creditworthiness have been improved by receiving support from NEDO. Our products have been presented at some exhibitions NEDO was involved in, which Started from a Comment by a Wheelchair User has given the impression of a “trustworthy company” to many people. At the G7 Ise-Shima Summit in May, “WHILL Model A” “I gave up going to a convenience store 100 meters away.” This was exhibited at the nursing-care robot zone of the government comment by a wheelchair user triggered the development of publicity exhibition set up in the International Media Center and “WHILL Model A”. From a conversation with this wheelchair we received a great response from the participants. In addition, user, I learned they felt that “the road is too bumpy to travel on” there are many safety rules and regulations for assistive products even if it is a very short distance, and occasionally they feel like mandated by the government, and it is beneficial for us to receive they “don’t want to be seen in the wheelchair”. To solve these support from national organizations like NEDO so we can ensure problems, I thought I would create a very smart and functional we have access to the necessary regulatory information. I believe mobility device. To develop this mobility device and bring it to their support affected us positively beyond just advancing the the market, I decided to leave the company I was working for and development of our product. started WHILL with my friends.
Advanced with NEDO’s Support NEDO’s Voice We wanted to commercialize it right away, but we didn’t have Comment from the Person in Charge enough funds for development. We checked various national Sachie Takeuchi support systems and applied to them, but none of them selected Chief Officer, NEDO Innovation Promotion our project. Actually, not very many support systems are Department Platform Group WHILL Inc. has leveraged NEDO’s support project program geared towards commercialization as opposed to academic very effectively. Our “Development Support Project for Practical Application of Problem-Solving Welfare Equipment” support purposes. NEDO selected us as their "Innovation is publicly offered, and once you are selected you’ll have various opportunities besides practical application and development. Commercialization Venture Support Project" before they We encourage many people to apply for this opportunity. selected us as a part of their “Development Support Project for
※Official homepage of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit https://g7.i-imageworks.jp/iw/summitphoto/Login.do?page=custom Focus NEDO 2017 No.62 15
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 15 2017/01/25 10:27 Easy to understand!
News Release News Release 12th of July 2016 Explosion-Proof Inspection Robot ommentary Developed. C A special feature that aims to make news releases full of jargon, technical terms and difficult technologies easier to understand by focusing in on the key points. This conveys NEDO’s state-of-the-art technological achievements and activities with an easy-to- understand explanation.
News Release Explosion-Proof Inspection Robot Developed - Domestic Certification Obtained in Expectation of Application at Disaster Sites -
16
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 16 2017/01/17 15:27 Featured A Disaster Response Robot Technology Able to Work in Difficult Areas that Humans Can’t Enter The expectations for disaster response robots are not only maintaining aging infrastructure such as bridges and tunnels but also assessing the status of and collecting data needed at dangerous disaster sites.
Here are the key points!
First time in Japan for a remote- Remote-control operation is available even controllable mobile robot to acquire if it is hard to reach radio waves the explosion-proof certification It can be remotely controlled up to 100 meters away via It has implemented dual inner pressure and wireless operation and 1,000 meters via wired operation explosion resistance explosion proofing systems. using an automatic explosion-proof fiber optic cable reel!
Carries a camera and gas sensor to Can stably go up and down the 45-degree assess and analyze the status of the site staircase
◆ Commentary Importance of Explosion-Proof Capabilities NEDO has been promoting the development of robots which meet various needs, and we recently developed an inspection robot that can be operated in the presence of flammable gases. When there is a concern that a disaster site such as the inside of a tunnel is filled with flammable gases, it is difficult to decide whether to permit electrical machinery at the disaster site because of the risk of a secondary incident caused by another explosion from an electric spark or heat created by the machinery itself. The newly developed “dual system of inner pressure and pressure-resistant explosion proofing” has an inner pressure explosion proof structure blocking gases from outside which could cause explosion from flowing inside, while the pressure- resistant explosion proof structure prevents any effects to the outside environment even if an explosion occurs inside. All electric machinery used at sites where explosions or fires could occur needs to obtain the explosion-proof certification.
Reference: “Electric Machinery and Equipment Explosion Proof Structure Standard”
Newly developed inspection robot that can be operated in the presence of flammable gases
◆ Outlook for the Future Further Improvements with a Vision for Overseas Deployment This newly developed robot is expected to contribute to deployments in regions including Europe, we aim at acquiring disaster rescue and the prevention of prolonged disaster ATEX certification, a set of two EU directives mandating damage because it assists prompt and precise decision-making requirements for equipment operating in an explosive at sites even when the presence of flammable substance is atmosphere that applies in the European Union (EU). unknown and because it has obtained the explosion-proof In addition, we are pursuing improvements so the robot has certification. better mobility performance in various conditions such as dark The certificate obtained by this robot is valid in Japan, places, inside buildings, and sandy areas, as well as obtaining but each country and region has different standards for additional environmental information. explosion-proof equipment. With a vision in mind of global
Focus NEDO 2017 No.62 17
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 17 2017/01/25 10:27 After Project Follow Up!
Playback The results of NEDO projects are utilized in manufacturing NEDO History processes used by companies and final products available for consumers. In this series we look at untold stories of how technology development projects scaled the high, difficult PROJECT wall to successful commercialization and what came after, SUCCESS STORIES summarizing past articles in “NEDO Project Success Stories”. Vol 2. Project to Create Photocatalyst Industry for a Recycling- Oriented Society Development of Visible-Light-Sensitive Photocatalysts for Indoor Use Provision of Sanitary and Comfortable Living Space What was the “Project to Create a Photocatalyst Industry for a Recycling-oriented Society”? As a countermeasure against the issues threatening our living environment such as harmful chemical substances which destroy the indoor and outdoor environment, antibacterial/antivirus issues including in-hospital infections, and soil contamination, NEDO conducted a six-year project to more effectively utilize photocatalyst technology starting in FY 2007. Not limited to research and development alone, NEDO has promoted the development of new photocatalysts through activities including efforts to expand the impact of photocatalyst products globally through international efforts for ISO standard setting and product certification.
For the “Project to Create Photocatalyst Industry for Titanium Co., Ltd.), had the technology and a proven a Recycling-Oriented Society”, companies and research record of producing fine titanium oxides used for institutes participated in activities ranging from traditional photocatalysts, and the company took upstream materials development to downstream an important role in developing and producing new product development. photocatalyst materials for this project. Among those organizations, Showa Denko First, as something different from before, they produced Ceramics Co., Ltd., who tried to develop materials a “copper-modified tungsten oxide photocatalyst” in the A copper-modified titanium oxide photocatalyst that has been verified to for photocalatysts and mass produce them, as well beginning of the project. Although it had the highest have strong antiviral effects. as TOTO LTD. and Panasonic Corporation, who sensitivity to visible light, they found some weaknesses, tried to use those materials to create products, have for example the color of the material is yellowish and is applied the project results to a number of familiar reflected in the color of the product, and it is weak against products and developed a new photocatalyst market. alkali compounds so there are some limitations regarding the location and conditions of use. They also faced a rapid rise in the cost of tungsten raw materials, which Aiming at Expanding the Market, was another negative factor, and people started to think it the Challenge is Enabling Indoor is difficult to commercialize this product. Use as Well as Outdoor Use A “photocatalyst” is a material that uses light energy After a Period of Trial and Error, from sources like sunlight to decompose dirt from Success in Developing Three organic substances or render bacteria inactive. It has been Types of Visible-Light-Sensitive used for self-cleaning exterior paints and tents because Photocatalyst Materials with it is highly oxidative when exposed to ultraviolet light and develops superhydrophilic characteristics with Different Characteristics alterations to the surface chemical structure. If the useful Then, Professor Kazuhito Hashimoto of the Tokyo characteristics of photocatalysts can be used indoor as University Research Center for Advanced Science and well, the market can be expanded. To develop a “visible- Technology (current President of the National Institute light-sensitive photocatalyst” which shows similar for Materials Science), who was the project leader at that functions to catalysts exposed to ultraviolet light even time, suggested to develop a material based on titanium with exposed to fluorescent lights or LEDs, which radiate oxide, and Showa Denko Ceramics promptly prepared less energy compared to the ultraviolet found in sunlight, to develop the photocatalyst materials and mass produce NEDO’s “Project to Create Photocatalyst Industry for them. “Generally it takes several years for the material a Recycling-Oriented Society” was launched in the FY manufacturer to mass-produce the academic results and 2007. provide them to product manufacturers. However, in this One of the companies involved in the project, Showa case, the manufacturer had a proven record with tungsten Denko Ceramics Co., Ltd. Toyama Plant (then Showa oxide photocatalyst so this process went very smoothly,”
18
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 18 2017/01/23 11:59 FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 19 modified titanium oxide photocatalyst oxide titanium modified Virus inactivation capability of copper- Figure 2 photocatalyst via inactive viruses render to System Figure 1 with a photocatalyst coating aphotocatalyst with asample of test resistance Light mat ta cud e eonzd ut y mlig – smelling by just the visible-light-sensitive photocatalyst paint reduced recognized presented be could had that we impacts tests demonstration the ofthe However, the impacts reveal to photocatalyst products because you can’t see them. difficult is it “Usually bacteria decomposedtheurine. that, Besides the urinals. the amountofammonia wasalsoreducedbecausethe of front in floor the on 80% by 96%onthewallsaroundbathroomsinks,and found outthattheycouldreducethenumberofbacteria they result, a As Hospital. University City Yokohama demonstration tests onthe walls and restrooms at photocatalysts. Using thispaintandtiles, theyconducted They antiviral capabilities among the visible-light-sensitive LTD. oxide photocatalyst”, which has the highest antibacterial/ TOTO was titanium “copper-modified the using paint manufactured photocatalysts commercialize sensitive to tried that companies products byusingthenewlydeveloped visible-light- the of One Capability Achieved over90%Deactivation under FluorescentLightthatHas Antibacterial/Antiviral Effects Developing aPhotocatalystwith and titaniumoxideinthephotocatalyst(seeFigure2). copper of combination best the out find to error and trial substance undervisiblelightbyrepeating a processof by photocatalyst” continuously developing the antivirus capabilities of the oxide titanium “copper-modified a Dr. Kurodaandhiscolleagues successfully produced “copper-modified rendering bacteria and virusesinactive (seeFigure1). the to for capacity high out a has photocatalyst” oxide titanium found they Furthermore, substances suchasacetaldehyde and isopropylalcohol. has highdecomposition activities against fororganic photocatalyst” oxide titanium “iron-modified the found pollution and sick house syndrome. Additionally, they (volatile organic compounds)whicharesaidtocauseair VOCs has against activities decomposition photocatalyst” high extremely oxide tungsten “copper-modified light-sensitive photocatalysts. They also foundout the Eventually theydevelopedthreetypesofuniquevisible- development groupleaderYasushiKuroda. say the stakeholders including the photocatalyst
Active virus density (number/mL) Photocatalysis Filter 800Lux Ultraviolet Protection White Fluorescent+ Measured byOβphage Inactivation of Damage toProteins Infectability on theSurface Time/h Further ProteinDecomposition Cu/Tio Fe/Tio Fe/Tio Cu/Tio Decomposition ofRNAandDNA 2 2 2 2 OpticalIrradiation DarkPlace OpticalIrradiation DarkPlace Decomposition Complete Sensitive Photocatalysts and DistributeVisible-Light- Making GreatEffortstoDevelop Frameworks Beyond IndividualCorporate expanding inthemarketearnest. the resultsestablished byreliable demonstrations are and project NEDO the of part as developed technologies has Ceramics, Denko New agent. coating photocatalyst new a commercialized Showa with along project this of part a was who Corporation, Jushi severe Sekisui of scrutiny, to subject reliability a the becoming increasingly While is 2016. products 20, July on amended was materials of photocatalyst capabilities purification air- the regarding JIS the and 2004, in established was The first Japan Industrial Standard (JIS) for photocatalysts effect atbothhospitalsandairports. demonstrated a 70-80% efficacy in terms of antibacterial lobby oftheairport (see the picture below). Asaresult, it counters atthehospital and cart handles atthewaiting places a lot of people visit and touch, such asreception with made photocatalyst materials on the visible-light-sensitive films clear attached they world, real the in To examine the antibacterial/antiviral effects of the film efficiently,” saysMr.Miki. strength even with alot of photocatalyst tocapture light the resintobondmaterials so thecoating keeps its with inventive were We effects. antibacterial/antiviral the right formulation of photocatalyst to create adequate forthe work to out find to was issue “The product. this of development powders photocatalyst the Ceramics refine Denko to Showa of Kuroda Dr. asked he said Development Technologies Core Panasonic’s of Miki sheet) which can be easily used anywhere. Mr. Shinichiro film to applicable (e.g. agent coating clear a developed they products, photocatalyst of commercialization the at aiming also was who Corporation, Panasonic for As Green Building Materials Division of TOTO at that time. of Research & Innovative Technology Department, Dr. recalls and,” Mitsuhide Shimohigoshi,whowastheGeneralManager bacteria of increase the suppressed ammonia odor fromthedecomposition of urineand Antibacterial/antiviral film attached on the handle of a cart. of a handle the on attached film Antibacterial/antiviral technology development, so please visit the website. the visit please so development, information. technology updated from some emerged that re-introduced episodes with more alot has story are along Stories” original The form that Success and summarized Project a projects in “NEDO previous the of covering part series, is article This NEDO Project Success Stories Success Project NEDO Focus NEDO 2017No.62 Search 2017/01/25 10:28 19 Domestic Offices
● Head Office ● Kansai Branch Office MUZA Kawasaki Central Tower, 16F-20F Umeda Dai Building, 6F, 3-3-10 1310 Omiya-cho, Saiwai-ku Umeda, Kita-ku Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 212-8554 Japan Osaka 530-0001 Japan Tel: +81-44-520-5100 Tel: +81-6-6341-5403 Fax: +81-44-520-5103 Fax: +81-6-6341-5405
Overseas Offices
● Washington, D.C. ● Europe ● Beijing 1901 L Street, N.W., Suite 720 10, rue de la Paix 75002 2001 Chang Fu Gong Office Building Washington, D.C. 20036 U.S.A. Paris, France Jia-26, Jian Guo Men Wai Street Tel: +1-202-822-9298 Tel: +33-1-4450-1828 Beijing 100022, P.R. China Fax: +1-202-822-9259 Fax: +33-1-4450-1829 Tel: +86-10-6526-3510 Fax: +86-10-6526-3513 ● Silicon Valley ● New Delhi 3945 Freedom Circle, Suite 790 9th Floor, Hotel Le Meridien ● Bangkok Santa Clara, CA 95054 U.S.A. Commercial Tower, Raisina Road 8th Floor, Sindhorn Building Tower 2 Tel: +1-408-567-8033 New Delhi 110 001, India 130-132 Wittayu Road, Lumphini Fax: +1-408-567-9831 Tel: +91-11-4351-0101 Pathumwan Fax: +91-11-4351-0102 Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: +66-2-256-6725 Fax: +66-2-256-6727
MUZA Kawasaki Central Tower, 1310 Omiya-cho, Saiwai-ku Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 212-8554 Japan Tel: +81-44-520-5100 Fax: +81-44-520-5103 URL: http://www.nedo.go.jp/english/index.html January 2017 (1st Edition)
FocusNEDO62_eng.indd 20 2017/01/23 13:04