7 Things You Need to Know About CO2 Enrichment in Cultivation Facilities

Mar 3

1. Why CO2 Matters

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary source of carbon for plants during photosynthesis.
When utilized properly CO2 can increase crop yields by 30% making a massive impact for high value crops.

Direct Air Capture technology is now becoming a reality. The DAC technology extract CO2 from the ambient air, concentrates it, then stores it in a buffer tank for use with your normal CO2 enrichment systems.
Using a DAC system requires an early commitment to the technology to allow it to be designed into the facility with the MEP team.

CO2 is a commodity and not all CO2 suppliers will treat you equally.
Since Covid, CO2 prices have skyrocketed. PlantCO2 has increased our prices on average 8-10% annually. Our competitors increased prices 16-32% annually during the same time period.
Ask questions before choosing your CO2 provider. Just because their price is a few cents cheaper initially, they can be much more expensive in the long run while they have you locked into a 7-10 year contract.

Distributing CO2 via an HVAC system and trying to achieve an even distribution of CO2 in the room is inefficient and wasteful. Do you flood your room with 3 feet of nutrient water when you want to feed your plants?
Injecting CO2 underneath the canopy using a purpose built under canopy system or a simple fan pvc or duct sock concentrates the CO2 where it matters.
CO2 is 1.5 x heavier than air, it is going to sink and settle

Most CO2 distributors focus on food and beverage customers. In almost all cases that PlantCO2 analyzed the distributor mis-sized the tank costing the customer hundreds of dollars more each month in tank rental fees.
PlantCO2 uses a CO2 usage calculator that takes into account plant uptake, number of tiers of plants, HVAC leakage, Room leakage, light cycles, and usage characteristics of a cultivation facility

With a background in cultivation control systems, PlantCO2 has thought through every aspect of integration with your mechanical equipment, control system, and life safety system.
Control drawings showing the integration and interconnecting wiring between devices allows your team to install correctly the first time
Power and relay panels provides low voltage installers all the parts and pieces for a complete solution.
The alternative is your hourly onsite installers will figure out a solution on your dime.

When your CO2 needs are 6 tons or less a Permamax tank can be used which can save you about $20,000 on installation.
Typical receiver tanks require a structural pad, a CO2 pad permit, expensive freight, and a crane to install.
Perma-max tanks cost a fraction to ship, can be offloaded with a forklift, and doesn’t require a tank pad or a permit.

PlantCO2 can design your system for free to help you save money and avoid costly pitfalls. Reach out here.