Global Warming Control Department

The expansion and development of human activities has been accompanied by a tremendous consumption of fossil fuels, resulting in global environmental changes. Global warming, caused mainly by carbon dioxide from the combustion, is perhaps the most serious problem mankind faces today. Research and development of solutions to the global warming problem include projects on artificial photosynthesis, the chemical fixation of CO₂, and biochemical and thermochemical conversion of biomass.Several research projects, aimed at solving regional environmental problems, are also being conducted.

Photo Energy Application Division

In this division, technologies are being developed for the chemical conversion of solar energy. One of these technologies is artificial photosynthesis, by which carbon dioxide and water react to produce methane and other organics. The reaction occurs on a photocatalytic surface of solid semiconductors and metal complexes. The removal of atmospheric pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, is also being studied.

An understanding of the global circulation of atmospheric pollutants is essential in the design of suitable counter-measures. This division is therefore making measurements of atmospheric pollutant concentrations, and is investigating the processes by which atmospheric pollutants are transformed. Current projects include:

• Photoreduction of carbon dioxide with water (artificial photosynthesis).
• Removal of atmospheric pollutants by photocatalysis.
• Chemical transformation processes of atmospheric pollutants.

Chemical Process Division

This division studies chemical reactions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. Current studies include:

• Fixation and utilization of CO₂ by catalytic hydrogenation.
• Development of new reactions involving CO₂.

Biomass Division

This division investigates possible applications of biomass and organic wastes as sources of energy. For example, it is possible to convert sewage sludge into a liquid fuel by means of thermochemical liquefaction processes at a lower cost than conventional sludge disposal methods.

Research of a large-scale cultivation of oil-rich green algae is carried out. Developed is the technology to take out electrons generated during photosynthesis from algal cells and to directly convert into electricity. Current projects include:

• Hydrocarbon and hydrogen production from woody biomass.
• Thermochemical and biological hybrid-type treatment of organic wastes.
• Cultivation of oil-rich green algae.
• Biological electricity production system

List Page

Global Warming Control Department

Thermal Energy and Combustion Engineering Department

Atmospheric Environmental Protection Department

Hydrospheric Environmental Protection Department

Environmental Assessment Department

Energy Resources Department

Materials Processing Department

Geotechnology Department

Safety Engineering Department

Coal Mine Safety Research Center, Hokkaido

Coal Mine Safety Research Center, Kyushu