CO2 separation and recovery technology development challenge 3
Crasus Chemical is conducting joint research with a group led by Dr. Susumu Kitagawa, director and deputy vice-president of Kyoto University and distinguished professor at the Institute for Advanced Study who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his contribution to the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
Round table held for project team members on the front line of R&D
Crasus Chemical is conducting research to develop a low-concentration CO2 separation and recovery process using porous coordination polymers (PCPs), also known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) developed by Dr. Susumu Kitagawa, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The research theme was adopted by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) for its Green Innovation Fund Projects in 2022. At present, the project is in the examination stage, where a bench test unit has been installed in the company to collect the data needed to achieve social implementation of the technology. The following is a report on the round table session held for project team members to share their views.
Y.K.
I.G.
U.M.
K.W.
■ Participants in the round table■
Y.K.(Technology Development Department Development Group I):
Operation of the bench test unit (testing machine) for CO2 separation and recovery to collect data for performance evaluation.
I.G. (Technology Development Department Development Group I):
Management of the bench testing plan for Y.K. and data collection and analysis for the performance evaluation of PCPs (MOFs). Also in charge of durability assessment for long-time use of PCPs (MOFs).
U.M.(Technology Development Department Development Group I):
Development of PCP (MOF) materials used for bench testing. Technology development for pelletizing powder PCPs (MOFs).
K.W.(Production Technology Department):
CO2 separation and recovery facility optimization. Examination of production version equipment and facilities using data related to PCPs (MOFs) collected by the Technology Development Department. Also in charge of cost calculations.
Three sub-teams specializing in material development, test data accumulation, and facility examination while working together in pursuit of the common goal of social implementation
----What jobs are assigned to each of you within the project to establish a low-concentration CO2 separation and recovery process?
Y.K.：I.G. and I are tasked with operating the bench test unit to collect the data needed to determine the conditions for increasing the performance efficiency of PCPs (MOFs) in CO2 separation and recovery. Operations involve a range of condition settings for a number of parameters, such as pressure, flow rate, and temperature.
U.M.：My job is to pelletize the PCP (MOF) materials to be used for bench testing. PCPs (MOFs) occur most commonly in the form of powder, and they need to be pelletized into solid mass to serve the purpose of field work. I make a wide variety of prototype pellets, seeking for usability and maximum performance potential while having discussions with Y.K. and other members.
K.W.：As a member of the Production Technology Department, I am in charge of production version process development. Specifically, my job is to determine the specifications required for equipment and facilities according to the level of scale-up for real production, based on data collected by Y.K. and I.G. by running bench testing and also considering cost requirements.
----I understand that the project is being carried out by three sub-teams working together while engaging in different tasks respectively, for preparation of PCP (MOF) materials for industrial use, condition settings for the CO2 separation and recovery performance of PCPs (MOFs), and facility development.
Handling a new type of material posing a challenging thrill
----I’d like to ask some more specific questions. First, what issues need to be addressed for pelletization?
U.M.：In order to accomplish our mission to establish an industrial process to mass-produce high performance PCPs (MOFs), it is essential to develop new molding methods. We conducted a great deal of trial and error to determine conditions related to the separating agent and molding.
----What do you mean by “high performance PCPs (MOFs)?” What should the material excel in?
U.M.：Among many properties, the percentage of adsorption and adsorption rate is especially important. The performance of PCPs (MOFs) changes depending on the molding pressure related to the pelletizing process and the component ratio of the separating agent. We are working on detailed adjustments while referring to the bench test data collected by Y.K.’s team.
----Next, I’d like to ask about data collection by performing bench testing. What major issues are to be addressed?
I.G.：PCPs (MOFs) are a new type of material, meaning we are still working to determine the criteria for evaluation. So, we place particular emphasis on efficiency. We determine a set of bench testing conditions in terms of temperature, pressure and flow rate by effectively referring to PCPs (MOFs)-related data received from U.M.’s team as well as basic laboratory data, rather than a time-consuming exhaustive approach. Also, it is important to review result data adequately to narrow the scope of test condition settings.
Y.K.：The bench test unit is a newly designed purpose-built piece of equipment which poses a number of challenges, including difficulties with implementation. By consulting superiors, we managed to make it in time for the test start date as scheduled, which, however, does not mean all of the problems have been solved. As we proceed with the testing, we will likely face additional improvement needs, such as for additional plumbing work. So we are working in a flexible manner and making the appropriate customizations.
---- Having a flexible attitude is very important in handling PCPs (MOFs) because it is a new type of material.
I.G.：We are trying to be flexible and careful at the same time. We are particularly careful when compiling and analyzing test data. To ensure the correct handling of numerical data, every number is checked one at a time. Also, we need to be careful when transferring the test data to the Production Technology Department. It is crucially important to communicate preconditions and calculation methods precisely in order to prevent miscommunication from resulting in erroneous design. So, we spend substantial time communicating effectively in order to share information.
K.W.：Our department is responsible for calculating the final cost estimates for plant facilities based on the bench test data. On the other hand, we also give feedback to the Technology Development Department to suggest specific plans for testing conditions to reduce costs. In order to clarify the conditions and types of data needed for appropriate facility design, we consult Y.K. and I.G. and request necessary testing.
I.G.：It is crucial to make the most of our limited time to collect as much testing data as possible, given that the project schedule fixed.
K.W.：Right. Speed is the key. So, good communication between sub-teams is essential in order to take the shortest path.
----You place great importance on teamwork.
Y.K.：Yes. The three sub-teams hold a meeting every week to catch up on each other’s progress. Also, within each sub-team, members are encouraged to ask for advice or help without hesitation, even about small things.
I.G.：While aiming to achieve practical application of a CO2 separation and recovery process in the later 2030s, the company is also promoting R&D for processing recovered CO2 into chemical products as a way of post-recovery use, in pursuit of a consistent line of business. As project members, we are building extensive networks to communicate with related parties in various sectors.
K.W.： Actually, we exchange information with Nippon Steel, a partner in the NEDO-commissioned joint project, on equal footing, which provides a useful source of information.
Future goals toward social implementation
----It has been about one year since bench testing started. What are your goals to achieve going forward?
U.M.： I think we have made good progress in technical development for PCP (MOF) pelletization. Going forward, we will aim to establish a higher-performance pelletization process, looking for the best possible pellets and wishing to contribute to reducing CO2 emissions through development efforts.
Y.K.：We also have adequately carried out improvements to the bench test unit, achieving the capability of demonstrating functionality that we desired. We will accelerate necessary data collection efforts, aiming for social implementation and thus contributing to achieving carbon neutrality.
I.G.：We will complete bench test data collection before long, and step up to a larger-scale pilot test study. Based on the results of past tests to determine operation conditions for increased performance of PCPs (MOFs), we will aim to establish operation methods that will be applied to pilot model or production version equipment installed in large plants, with the objective of achieving practically useful technical applications.
K.W.：As I.G. said just now, the construction of a pilot test unit will start in 2028, according to the schedule. Looking ahead at this, we will begin to build processes for cost reduction and design the pilot test unit, in addition to establishing appropriate operation conditions and methods. I sometimes feel pressure, but I’m excited to be working on technologies that can be widely used.
----I understand that each sub-team is well-prepared to move forward to the next phase. I’m also greatly impressed by the high expectations for this endeavor to achieve a range of process for CO2 separation, recovery and utilization as a way to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality.
Thank you very much for taking the time to come here and talk with us today.
