Key Takeaways:
- Direct Carbon installed the Wunderpumpe DAC system at Mälardalen University, Sweden.
- The project with Swegreen facilitates CO2 enrichment without fossil fuels.
- Wunderpumpe generates up to 5 kg of CO2 daily for in-store farm units.
- The project is part of the Unity4Water initiative, which addresses sustainable resource use.
- The installation offers insights into circular and low-carbon indoor farming practices.
Exploring Sustainable CO2 Solutions for Indoor Farming
Direct Carbon (Profile) has completed the installation of its Wunderpumpe system at Mälardalen University (MDU) in Sweden. This project, carried out in collaboration with Swegreen (Profile), utilizes Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology to provide a sustainable CO2 solution for indoor farming, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil-derived CO2.
Installation at Mälardalen University
Mälardalen University, recognized for its focus on innovation and sustainability, hosted the installation as part of ongoing research initiatives. The project integrates Direct Carbon’s DAC technology with Swegreen’s in-store farm unit to enhance plant growth while minimizing environmental impact.
“We are interested in exploring CO2 fertilization solutions in our Saga unit from Swegreen. By using Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology from Direct Carbon, we can capture CO2 from the outdoor air and inject it into the Saga unit. This allows us to evaluate yield improvements without using fossil fuels,” said Monica Odlare, Professor in Environmental Engineering at Mälardalen University.
The installation is part of the Unity4Water initiative, a collaborative project involving 30 partners from the food production and industrial sectors, coordinated by MDU and funded by Process industrial IT & Automation (PiiA). The project focuses on reusing wastewater and process water for food production.
Technology Overview
Direct Carbon’s Wunderpumpe unit captures CO2 from ambient air and supplies it to Swegreen’s Saga farm unit. This approach enriches the farming environment with CO2, supporting plant growth and photosynthesis without relying on fossil fuel sources.
The Wunderpumpe is designed for compact environments, such as container farms and in-store units, and produces up to 5 kg of CO2 per day. The technology offers scalability for different farming operations, ranging from small urban farms to larger indoor facilities.
“We are collaborating with Direct Carbon to test this solution at our shared research facility at Mälardalen University. The goal is to ensure a stable and sustainable CO2 supply, supporting consistent crop yields. Our clients prioritize low-carbon food production, and this project aligns with those objectives,” said Swegreen.
