Best method of co2. Burners vs tanks

[NorCalFor20]

Putting the final touches on a 20kw grow room. Trying to decide between using co2 tanks vs burners we have an 8 ton commercial air conditioner split system and two dual 205 dehumidifiers.So if we need to we can combat all that heat and moisture the question is Is it cheaper to run co2 tanks or is it cheaper to run propane gas from a tank outside indoors then connect to burners. We are looking at gas suppliers and propane is cheaper but by the time we combat the extra moisture and heat generated by that I'm wondering if it's more expensive to put more wear on our dehumidifiers and air conditioners and energy use or is it better to just buy the co2 gas in the tank ready to go. Anyone run the numbers on this yet?

 

[Dankstang]

Subscribed. Interested in this also
I hate changing tanks...but extra heat cost $.

 

[moses wellfleet]

It's gonna depend on individual circumstances. How serious is your heat problem and how effective are you at controlling it!

 

[Millerstreeandl]

I have wondered the same. Right now I'm using tanks. I use a 50 so it lasts a good while but have been thinking of switching to a burner. My flower is 10k. I will be checking in to see the responses

 

[HerbGlaze]

Everyone I know in the indoor realm use burners, less hassle. Although I don't know the exact circumstances, what is the dimensions of the grow room?

 

[Picarus]

burner is cheaper. cheaper up front, cheaper to run. traveling for tanks also = gas and time. Ain't nobody got time for that.

 

[the gnome]

what picarus
said if your running a larger room burner is cheaper.

I have a 14 x 20ft and use a outdoor water heater for a shower unit.
I was also concerned about the extra heat heat from a burner but
it cycles less than 30sec and a 20lb gas grill tank lasst 3-4months.

of course some people run large 20K gro's a prefer tanks.

 

[Mikell]

I've always wondered.

http://www.committeeforfirstprincip...reenhouses. Carbon Dioxide In Greenhouses.pdf

PDF I just found. The best comparison I've seen yet, but does not include cooling/dehum cost.

You might shoot off an email to the address listed on the last page. Our governments work slowly (big surprise) but I don't see why they wouldn't share their formulas.

There are so many variables, from substrate to gas price. I doubt there's a one size fits all.

Some talk of paying over 40c/Kwh. The cooling and dehum cost may weigh too heavily at a point. As well, I've yet to see anyone compare costs using larger CO2 tanks (assuming costs go down as volume increases).

 

[NorCalFor20]

The room is 46'L x 16'w with a 8' ceiling sloped ceiling, equal to avg of 7 ft.

according to sunlight co2 calculator:

Area: 736 square feet
Volume: 5152 cubic feet
Ambient CO2 Level 300 ppm
Target CO2 Level 1500 ppm


CO2 Flow Rate
On 30 minutes per hour
12.36 cubic feet per hour


Should I get 2 burners, and two 5 gallon propane tanks? or should i run two 20 lb co2 tanks? how long will they last is my main concern? I can't swap tanks daily. I could swap at most every 3 days. Still trying to figure this out once and for all... I have to carry these tanks upstairs so smaller is a requirement. basically my choice is between co2 tanks or propane tanks.

 

[stoned-trout]

burners for sure...yeehaw ..wouldn't even consider co2 gas...u do know theres designs for removing the burners heat right???..but most take it into account when designing grow..

 

[NorCalFor20]

burners for sure...yeehaw ..wouldn't even consider co2 gas...u do know theres designs for removing the burners heat right???..but most take it into account when designing grow..

burners even if they have to be hooked up to propane tanks? Its another inspection for any gas lines with explosive contents... Either way Im going to have to use tanks my choice is between CO2 gas or propane hooked up to a propane burner.

 

[stoned-trout]

go propane...blu ox generators remove a lot of the heat...yeehaw

 

[RamCTD1027]

The room is 46'L x 16'w with a 8' ceiling sloped ceiling, equal to avg of 7 ft.

according to sunlight co2 calculator:

Area: 736 square feet
Volume: 5152 cubic feet
Ambient CO2 Level 300 ppm
Target CO2 Level 1500 ppm


CO2 Flow Rate
On 30 minutes per hour
12.36 cubic feet per hour


Should I get 2 burners, and two 5 gallon propane tanks? or should i run two 20 lb co2 tanks? how long will they last is my main concern? I can't swap tanks daily. I could swap at most every 3 days. Still trying to figure this out once and for all... I have to carry these tanks upstairs so smaller is a requirement. basically my choice is between co2 tanks or propane tanks.

Others may chime in on this but from the technical journals I've read and from speaking with other people, 1500ppm is an old over inflated value. At 1500ppm, you are wasting CO2. Try to stick around 1000ppm. Everyone I know runs their CO2 at 850ppm.

It seems like most people are recommending burners but there are some variables to consider. Your elevation...you need to make sure your burners are jetted for your correct elevation. If they aren't, you may not have enough available oxygen for complete burn of propane. Ethylene gas is a by product of not completely burning propane, and is toxic. There are many many documented cases of ethylene gas destroying complete crops.