The Chemical Research Group is also studying H₂ production from renewable energy sources, such as biomass, because these processes generate negligible CO₂ emissions. In 2013, RITE initiated a new project funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). In this project, we are developing H₂ selective inorganic membranes, including chemical vapor deposition-prepared silica membranes and Pd membranes, in collaboration with the Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Utsunomiya, and Kogakuin universities as well as the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). These membranes will be applied to H₂ separation from various chemical compounds containing hydrogen, such as methylcyclohexane and ammonia. We are also investigating methods of evaluating the pore size distributions of these inorganic membranes.
 

In the same year, RITE also began another project funded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), collaborating with the Chiyoda Corporation to conduct feasibility studies on membrane reactors for compact, low temperature systems with applications to H₂ generation from methylcyclohexane.

In the COURSE 50 Step 2 project, chemical vapor deposition-based silica membranes will be developed as membrane reactors for the water gas shift reaction and H₂ separation to allow H₂ generation from blast furnace gases.

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