Optimizing ventilation in an 18m high growing tank

Parcitank, based in Villarrobledo, Spain, has been involved in the development of vertical greenhouses for several years, with the aim of improving the efficiency and sustainability of food production. Recently, they completed their Life Farmitank vertical farming project and published the results of participating in the LIFE Programme, in which Parcitank collaborated with Spain's Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) and the European Commission to explore new technologies for controlled-environment agriculture.

Grant Ramsay and Philip Daugherty with FabricAir on Indoor Ag-Con 2025

© Fabric Air

Ensuring uniformity across 30 levels
Farmitank is a fully controlled vertical cultivation system housed in cylindrical stainless-steel tanks measuring 6 meters in diameter and up to 18 meters in height. This setup allows up to 400 m² of cultivation space across 30 layers, all within an area of less than 40 m². The technology simulates optimal environmental conditions for growing vegetables and herbs, maximizing resource efficiency, including water and energy.

One key innovation in the project is the integration of FabricAir's air distribution system, which plays a critical role in regulating temperature, humidity, and ventilation within the greenhouse. The system is deployed across 30 levels of grow space, ensuring that these environmental factors remain consistent throughout the vertical farm. This is necessary to avoid the development of microclimates, which could have an adverse effect on plant growth.

According to Carlos Alonso Ollacarizqueta, Spanish representative of FabricAir, "The air distribution system ensures uniformity across all levels, preventing the formation of stratification or air currents that could result in uneven climate conditions. By maintaining consistent temperature and humidity levels, we avoid stress on the plants that can come from fluctuating environments."

© Fabric AirThe selected textile color is reflective bright white, which prevents shadows and enhances the distribution of light energy.

© Fabric Air

Air diffusion models
The team at FabricAir used a range of air diffusion models to determine the most effective solutions for this unique design. Different materials, configurations, suspension types, and flow models were tested to ensure optimal environmental control. Carlos emphasizes that "the lightweight flexibility of the textile ducts and their adjustable anchoring system are essential in such a compact space. The system can be installed and adjusted without disrupting the airflow, which is crucial for maintaining consistent growing conditions. The connection to the supply manifolds is made using easily removable racks, allowing for quick replacement."

In the context of vertical farming, managing airflow is particularly challenging, given the limited space and the need for precision in environmental control. The FabricAir system has been designed to address these challenges by preventing draft stress, which could negatively affect plant health. Additionally, the system is easy to maintain, which helps ensure hygienic conditions throughout the facility. "Since the installation space is very limited and the dimensional factor is critical, the systems are designed with very small diameters, requiring them to be highly flexible and lightweight", shows Carlos.

© Fabric AirThe tanks have a modular multi-level structure per impeller, enabling installation by vertically stacking one module on top of another. This modular structure facilitates maintenance by using standardized parts.

Florette collaboration
The system is now being used in the industrial production phase of a major collaboration with Florette, a leading distributor of packaged salads in Spain. The success of this project demonstrates the potential for combining advanced HVAC-R technology with sustainable farming practices to create more efficient food production systems. Currently, Parcitank's business plan turns around the sale of small and medium-scale tanks, which allows customers to test the technology with a minimum investment, with the aim of training their employees, analyzing yields and qualities and validating the business plan before carrying out a large installation.

"This partnership with Parcitank shows how effective technology can be in improving the controlled-environment agriculture sector," Carlos adds. "FabricAir remains committed to providing innovative solutions that support both the efficiency and sustainability of food production systems."