Market Context — Why This Technology, Why Now

The global push for decarbonization is intensifying, with governments implementing stricter carbon emission regulations and carbon pricing mechanisms. Corporations face increasing pressure from investors and consumers to meet ambitious ESG targets. This creates a critical market need for cost-effective, energy-efficient CO2 capture technologies that can integrate seamlessly into existing infrastructure, enabling both compliance and new revenue streams from captured CO2.

Key Competitive Advantages
01

Achieves high-efficiency CO2 separation with nearly 50% removal and concentrates CO2 to over 90% by utilizing steam to promote adsorption, unlike conventional methods where steam inhibits it.

02

Significantly reduces energy costs by efficiently utilizing low-temperature waste heat below 100°C, lowering both environmental impact and operational expenses.

03

Enables compact, space-saving design with a rotor-based system, increasing installation flexibility. Prevents thermal and oxidative degradation of adsorbents, contributing to long-term stable operation.

Market Opportunity
Office Buildings & Commercial Facilities
$350M–$450M globally (AI est.)
Rising demand for CO2 emission reduction from HVAC systems and improved indoor air quality. Stricter energy efficiency standards are a significant driver.
Large commercial property developers HVAC system integrators Facility management companies
Factories & Industrial Plants
$450M–$550M globally (AI est.)
Focus on CO2 recovery from manufacturing processes, effective utilization of low-temperature waste heat, and proactive response to carbon tax introduction risks.
Industrial process equipment manufacturers Chemical plant operators Energy management solution providers
Agriculture & Plant Factories
$200M–$250M globally (AI est.)
Demand to promote plant growth and increase yields by supplying high-concentration CO2 in controlled agricultural environments.
Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) developers Greenhouse technology providers Agricultural input suppliers
IP Defensibility — Why Competitors Can't Replicate This
What This Patent Covers

This patent protects a robust CO2 separation and concentration apparatus, specifically its Wet-TSA rotor design and operational method that leverages steam for enhanced adsorption. Its patentability was affirmed after overcoming two office actions and comparison against six prior art documents, indicating a strong and defensible claim scope.

Competitive White Space

This patent focuses on the core Wet-TSA rotor mechanism for CO2 separation. White space exists in developing advanced downstream CO2 utilization processes, integrating the system with specific industrial waste streams, or innovating novel adsorbent materials for enhanced performance.

Economic Impact
~$200K/year estimated HVAC cost reduction per facility (est.)
estimated ROI · USD · AI analysis
ROI Calculation Logic

In large office buildings or factories, integrating this technology into HVAC systems could reduce CO2 concentration and lower the fresh air intake load. For example, a facility with annual HVAC costs of $1.0M (AI est.) could reduce its HVAC load by 20%, resulting in an estimated annual cost saving of $200K (AI est.). Additionally, the highly concentrated CO2 could be utilized in sectors like agriculture, potentially creating new revenue streams.

Speed to Market
4× faster than in-house development
This technology has a proven track record at the prototype stage, with the foundational Wet-TSA method already established. While developing similar technology from scratch would require approximately 3.5 years of R&D, licensing this patent could enable market entry and full-scale operation in about 1 year, following adaptation validation and demonstration trials. Comprehensive demonstration data reduces technical risks, facilitating rapid commercialization.
Competitive Positioning

X: Energy Saving Efficiency
Y: CO2 Separation & Concentration Performance

Business Models & Applications
🏭 Equipment Sales & Implementation Model
Manufacture and sell CO2 separation and concentration devices incorporating this technology, directly implementing them in factories, commercial buildings, and plant factories. Revenue is generated from initial installation fees.
♻️ CO2 Recovery Service Model
Offer a pay-per-use service based on the volume of CO2 recovered, in addition to providing the device. This reduces operational burden for clients and secures a continuous revenue stream.
🤝 Joint Development & Licensing Model
Engage in joint development of devices tailored to specific industry needs or license the technology to manufacturing partners. This model promotes broader market expansion and technology standardization.
Adjacent Application Opportunities
🚗 Automotive & Marine
Onboard CO2 Recovery System
This technology could be adapted for onboard CO2 recovery systems in vehicles and marine vessels. Its compact, high-efficiency design allows for integration into confined spaces, potentially improving fuel efficiency by 5-10% and significantly reducing emissions.
🏥 Medical & Cleanroom
Specific Gas Removal & Air Purification Device
Applicable as an air purification device for precisely controlling specific harmful gases and CO2 concentrations in medical facilities and cleanrooms. This high-efficiency separation technology could maintain CO2 levels below 400 ppm, enabling more advanced environmental control.
📦 Logistics & Warehousing
Refrigerated/Frozen Warehouse CO2 Concentration Management
Proper CO2 concentration management is essential for maintaining the freshness of produce. Implementing this technology could optimize CO2 levels in refrigerated and frozen warehouses, potentially reducing food loss by 10-15% and improving product quality.
Integration Roadmap — Estimated 18-Month Deployment
Requirements Definition & Basic Design
Duration: 3 months
Investigate installation environment (HVAC system, exhaust gas source, etc.) and evaluate technology suitability. Define target CO2 reduction, recovered CO2 applications, and perform basic design.
Prototype Development & Demonstration
Duration: 6 months
Develop a demonstration-scale prototype based on the basic design. Verify performance, energy consumption, and operational stability through demonstration tests at candidate sites.
Full-Scale Implementation & Operation Optimization
Duration: 9 months
Based on demonstration results, manufacture and implement the full-scale unit, integrate it into existing systems, and begin full operation. Optimize operational efficiency through continuous data collection and analysis.
Technical Feasibility
This technology features modular components, such as a foamed module plate laminated unit structure casing and a carbon dioxide gas adsorption rotor, making it relatively easy to integrate into existing HVAC systems or exhaust gas treatment lines. The Wet-TSA method suppresses thermal and oxidative degradation of adsorbents, reducing maintenance frequency and contributing to lower ongoing operational costs. The ability to utilize general-purpose low-temperature waste heat sources also lowers technical adoption barriers.
Success Scenario
Implementing this technology could reduce a facility's annual CO2 emissions by up to 30%. This could enhance ESG investor ratings and mitigate future cost increases from carbon taxes. Furthermore, the highly concentrated CO2 could be leveraged as a new revenue stream. For instance, selling it to nearby plant factories could contribute to a regional circular CO2 economy.
Patent Record
APPLICATION NO.
特願2021-211907
REGISTRATION NO.
7132475
FILING DATE
2021/12/27
GRANT DATE
2022/08/30
EXPIRATION DATE
2041/12/27
PATENT HOLDER
岡野　浩志
Examination History
2022年01月13日
早期審査に関する事情説明書
2022年01月13日
出願審査請求書
2022年02月01日
早期審査に関する通知書
2022年03月29日
拒絶理由通知書
2022年05月09日
意見書
2022年05月09日
手続補正書（自発・内容）
2022年06月07日
拒絶理由通知書
2022年07月01日
手続補正書（自発・内容）
2022年07月01日
意見書
2022年07月26日
特許査定