Technology
Chiba University and Tokyo Gas are jointly
working on the effective utilization of carbon dioxide. Hydrogen is the driving
force of the fuel cell vehicle, and carbon dioxide is generated in the process
to create hydrogen. Chiba University uses the generated carbon dioxide to grow
vegetables in the plant factory it operates. The research team led by Associate Professor Toru Maruo tries to sweet vegetables, facilitate their growth, and
increase their production by enhancing photosynthesis using carbon dioxide for
the first time in the world. They liquefy carbon dioxide collected in the
hydrogen station operated by Tokyo Gas and transport the liquefied carbon
dioxide in cylinders to the plant factory. The research members supply 320 kg
of carbon dioxide to tomatoes every month.
It is currently a widespread method to burn
LPG and heating oil and send the generated carbon oxide into the greenhouse. Tokyo
Gas buries the carbon dioxide in the ground. If the research members get successfully
results, Tokyo Gas can reduce the disposal cost and Chiba University can reduce
procurement cost. As proverb goes, it is like killing two birds with one stone.
In the ongoing research, members try to increase the carbon dioxide
concentration of the 1,000-square-meter greenhouse by 2.5 times to 1,000 ppm. The
research is expected to increase tomato production by 20% and increase the sugar
content by 0.5-1.0 degree. The cost to separate, collect, and transport carbon
dioxide needs further study, according to the engineer of Tokyo Gas. The report
of the joint research is scheduled to be published in March.
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