Boost Yield
Carbon makes up about 45% of the dry weight of plants and is arguably the basic building block of all living matter
Plants fix carbon from CO2 in the air, but ambient levels of CO2 aren’t nearly enough to maximise plant growth, especially in high-tech greenhouses where all other growth variables can be maximised.
The benefits of CO2 enrichment on crop yield in most fruits, vegetables and flowers grown in greenhouses is well documented. Increases in crop yield of as much as 30% can be gained through enriching a greenhouse with CO2, increasing grower revenue and profits.
The graph on the right shows crop production at different CO2 concentrations. The wide band is due to variation between crops and to conditions. This graph is based on data from about 60 publications of experiments worldwide in many greenhouse crops (Source: Elly Nederhoff, 1994).
Our containerised CO2 production system allows rapid transport and installation and will enrich 3 Ha of hydroponic greenhouse to ~700ppm (or 2Ha to 1000ppm), at around half the price of existing CO2 sources where available. Increasing the number of units feeding a greenhouse can increase the concentration of CO2 within the greenhouse.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your needs.
Graph showing crop production (%) at various levels of CO2 (ppm)
Clean and Safe CO2
The CO2 produced by the Hot Lime system is guaranteed to be clean.
Gas cleanliness is constantly monitored by a range of electronic sensors in the Hot Lime system. This ensures levels of CO, Ethylene, NOx and SOx are all within safe limits – if gas is found to be outside of ‘safe’ levels, the system will automatically switch off. Gas output has also been independently tested.
The system also has very low particulate emissions due to the updraft gasifier design system and filtering by the Hot Lime material. The gas that heads out of the system flue is basically the same as what you would find in a standard urban wood fireplace.
“Access to a cost-effective CO2 supply would be of huge benefit to our growers. CO2 has a significant impact on greenhouse crop productivity and can increase yields by up to 30%. Most growers can’t get enough, and South Island growers can’t get any. A renewable source of CO2 would be greatly welcomed by our industry.”
Helen Barnes, General Manager Tomatoes NZ
(representing $131M of tomato production)
Biomass Conversion
The system currently converts a range of wood waste into CO2 through our novel process. In future, the system will broaden to be able to convert other waste biomass such as crop waste, waste oils and anaerobic digester gases. We can also potentially help you out if you have large quantities of problematic biomass to deal with.
Pilot system showing screw conveyor for wood feeding, gasifier and containerised reactor.
Greenhouse Integration
The Hot Lime Labs system is containerised and currently standalone from any of your other greenhouse systems. It can be integrated into an existing greenhouse set up, including in a new build, and it sits separately from your existing boiler system.
The Hot Lime system does not replace your current boiler system, but it does augment it. The Hot Lime system will produce approximately 10% of the heating needs of a 3Ha greenhouse – or enough to cover all your heating needs during summer. We can integrate the system with your buffer tank, and contribute to your overall heating needs.
The system footprint is three (TBC) 20” shipping containers, with additional space required for wood storage.
The patented lime pellets will be replaced annually in your system to ensure the system runs efficiently.
The system is fully automated and needs minimal daily maintenance at the greenhouse.