The new burner technology accelerates the growth of tomatoes by producing carbon dioxide directly into the greenhouse. Carbon dioxide fertilization can increase the growth of useful plants by up to 50 percent. The nitrogen oxide emissions of Oilon’s LN30 burner are exceptionally low with LPG, only 10–30 ppm.
A new, two-hectare greenhouse has been introduced in the Taivalkomaa garden in Seinäjoki. Its specialty is a new type of burner that produces carbon dioxide from liquefied petroleum gas for the use of plants.
“In the past, we have used bottled carbon dioxide, but it is expensive. Now we are experimenting with combustion technology because it is more profitable,” says Robert Åman, owner of the Taivalkoa garden.
Added carbon dioxide is needed for tomatoes to grow fast enough. Oilon’s LN30 burner increases the carbon dioxide concentration of the greenhouse to about 800–1000 parts per million (ppm), while the normal atmospheric concentration is just over 400 ppm.
About 10 per cent of the burner’s flue gas is carbon dioxide. The burner is connected to the boiler and produces heat in addition to carbon dioxide.
“Depending on the power, NOx emissions in the flue gas range from 10 to 30 ppm, which is a world record. Other burner manufacturers cannot do the same when the fuel is liquefied petroleum gas,” says Kari Puro, Sales Manager at Oilon.
Too high a concentration of NOx damages the leaves of plants, impairs photosynthesis and changes the conditions of the growing medium. Growth slows down and the harvest is smaller. High concentrations of NOx are also harmful to health.
The world’s lowest emissions
The exceptionally low NOx emissions of the LN30 burner are the sum of many combustion technology issues. One special feature is the dosing of fuel and combustion air: they are fed to the combustion head both separately and pre-mixed with each other. Another distinctive feature is the long combustion head, which protrudes deep into the firebox and supplies fuel to the sides, making the flame wide. In this way, the internal currents of the firebox are efficiently utilised and the combustion is cleaner. It is also essential to cool the burner flame with the help of additional air. NOx emissions are lower at low temperatures.
“I chose the Oilon burner specifically because of the low NOx emissions. Another reason was domesticity,” says Robert Åman.
Natural gas is commonly used to produce carbon dioxide around the world. As a rule, its combustion gases have less NOx emissions than liquefied petroleum gas. In Finland, however, the natural gas distribution network only extends to southern and southeastern Finland. Other fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas, are needed north of the network.
The green transition increases sales
Carbon dioxide fertilization is commonly used in commercial gardens. It can increase the growth of useful plants by up to 50 percent. However, carbon dioxide purchased in bottles is expensive. Therefore, it is cheaper to make carbon dioxide by burning. Profitability is increased by the fact that the burner also produces heating energy, which is useful during the winter season.
After the new extension, Taivalmaa’s garden, which specialises in tomatoes, will have a total of five hectares of greenhouses. The company has 35 employees and a turnover of EUR 3.6 million in 2024.
Oilon’s burners are used around the world in energy production, industry, shipping and real estate, among other things. The burners are manufactured at Oilon’s factories in Lahti, China and the United States. Oilon’s burner business had a turnover of EUR 36.4 million in 2024.
“We have been developing clean combustion for decades. Now we are in a situation where our burners are below the world’s strictest emission limits. The green transition will accelerate the demand for burners,” says Kari Puro.
Photos: Robert Åman in the garden, Osuuskunta Närpiön Vihannes, LN30 burner, Oilon Kari Puro.
Arne Nielsen A/S distributes Oilon in Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and official sales in the Nordics as well as to global agriculture, data centres, the marine industry and mobile heating.