Modeling Mushrooms’ Carbon Dioxide Emission and Heat Exchange Rates for Synergistic Cultivation with Leafy Greens

Abstract

The cultivation of mushrooms in controlled environments generates a significant amount of CO2 as a by-product. This presents opportunities for carbon dioxide (CO2) enrichment in leafy green production. This study aimed to develop a model for CO2 emission and heat exchange rates that can be used to support the synergistic cultivation of mushrooms and leafy greens. This was achieved by aggregating data from literature with experimental data gathered in two different testing spaces. The average CO2 emission and heat exchange rates for shiitake incubated at 21 °C were determined and a CO2 emission rate model for mixed substrate in incubation was developed based on indoor temperature variations. The results indicated that oyster mushrooms have a notable CO2 enrichment potential, twice that of shiitake in the incubation stage and five times more in fructification. Additionally, oyster mushrooms released a significant amount of heat during incubation. In contrast, shiitake mushrooms with their minimal heat exchange rate during incubation could offer an energy-efficient option for synergistic cultivation with leafy greens in environments where cooling is required year-round. Moreover, it was observed that the CO2 emission rate of a full-scale incubation chamber is strongly correlated with indoor temperature. These findings offer valuable information for modeling the CO2 emission and heat exchange rates of mushroom and leafy green farms.