Challenge

The Conservatory consists of three horticultural domes with different climates and more than 45,000 square feet of planting area. The domes were constructed in 1967.

 

Kain Energy Corporation had to retrofit a temperature control system in the 40-year-old Mitchell Park Domes. At the time of the project, each dome consisted of a pneumatic system to open and close dampers and hard-wired switches to activate fans. This system was not easy-to-use or offer flexibility to staff. Many of the old ventilation dampers were leaking and mechanical systems were not working or in bad repair. In addition to needing a new system, the installation needed to occur while maintaining critical temperatures and humidity levels needed for delicate plant life.

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Solution

Kain Energy used a TAC I/Net System to control:

• 36 air supply units

• 80 exhaust fans

• 46 fin tube sections

• 4 variable volume boxes

• chiller with pumps

• heat exchanger

• 4 boilers with pumps

• 113 valves

• 359 damper actuators

• 3 I/NET workstations

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Kain Energy Corporation installed a new control system that reduced energy costs and gave the Dome's staff the flexibility to control the environment. Dome staff can access the entire building from three I/Net workstations as opposed to the antiquated pneumatic system. Staff can use the new system to change set points, time schedules, and view critical alarm points. The system also comes with an off-site dial in case of an emergency. 

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One hundred twenty-three microregulators and six viewcons controlled the 1900+ data points without any interruption in temperature control through four strategically-planned phases. Several temperature and humidity sensors were added to each of the domes to give the staff a more accurate view of each environment. Each of these points reported back to the I/Net workstations. All exterior dampers were replaced with new thermally broken frame dampers which reduced outside air filtration.