Young scientist from TSC SB RAS receives grant for developing innovative carbon dioxide generator

Dmitry Larkin, an engineer-researcher at the Laboratory of Technological Combustion at Tomsk Scientific Center of SB RAS and a postgraduate student at Tomsk State University, has been awarded a one-million-ruble grant following his success in the “Student Startup” competition, organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia and the Foundation for Assistance to Innovation.

The young scientist proposed a project to develop a unique generator of pure CO₂ based on a burner. The device aims to enhance greenhouse crop production by increasing plant growth rates by up to 30 %, thus ensuring higher yields. The cost of producing CO₂ with this technology will be several times lower compared to existing solutions, offering significant economic benefits to agricultural producers.

– Carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis and plant growth. While in natural environments the levels of CO₂ are sufficient and remain stable at around 400 ppm (parts per million), greenhouse cultivation requires targeted enrichment, which is not that simple to accomplish. Creating an efficient, cost-effective generator to produce pure CO₂ would have the potential to boost agricultural productivity significantly, – explains Dmitry.

The proposed device is a burner enclosed in a cylindrical chamber with protective casing around it. Unlike conventional torch burners, this generator will operate in a premixed combustion mode, which means the ability to eliminate zones of lean and rich combustion, thereby avoiding a decrease in reaction rate and maintaining low heat output.

– Using numerical modelling software we have already come up with preliminary results as to what the optimal concentration of the methane-air mixture should be. With the data we have we’re expecting to get impurity-free carbon dioxide and a little bit of water, – notes the young scientist.

The combustion inside the burner ensures a stable, high-temperature reaction – around 1500°C – resulting in a continuous supply of pure CO₂ through an outlet pipe directly into the greenhouse atmosphere. With an estimated lifespan of at least five years, this generator promises to reduce the expenses associated with CO₂ procurement for agricultural enterprises, making greenhouse farming more sustainable.

The development of the project is scheduled for 12 months. During this period, Dmitry has plenty to do – establish a legal entity, develop a comprehensive business plan, and prepare a progress report. Other projects supported within Tomsk Scientific Center include those of junior researcher Andrey Udalov from the Institute of Atmospheric Optics and Pavel Vashurkin, a junior researcher at Tomsk Scientific Center.

© TSC SB RAS Press Center