If you design or manage an industrial cold storage facility, you know full well that foundation frosting can lead to structural cracks and serious failures. The result is huge repair costs and production downtime. In this case study, we show you how to implement an effective automatic temperature control system for structural columns that will help you avoid the risk of damage, simplify plant maintenance and ensure your cold storage facility runs smoothly for years. Read on to learn how we implemented a JUMO meroTRON PLC for structural column temperature control in an industrial cold storage project implemented by our client specializing in the construction of high-tech facilities.
Our client specializes in the construction of high-demand buildings, including industrial cold storage facilities. These are large facilities in which every element of the structure must meet the highest standards of safety and reliability. The client approached us during the implementation of a new project for a cold storage facility, where precise temperature measurement of the structural columns was extremely important. The main concern was to avoid the risk of the foundations freezing, which could lead to serious damage to the entire structure.
The customer was looking for controllers that would be able to accurately monitor and automatically regulate the temperature in the structural columns. He also wanted a solution that could be seamlessly integrated into the existing HVAC system. It was important that the temperature measurement data be available directly in the central building management system, without the need to implement additional software.
Why is column temperature control so important in industrial cooling towers? Structural columns are elements that carry the loads of the entire building, and their cooling to very low temperatures poses the risk of ground freezing under the foundations. Without proper protection and control of this parameter, foundation deformation, cracking and, in the worst-case scenario, even serious structural failure can occur.
The customer therefore needed a solution that would provide reliable measurement and precise monitoring of the temperature of the entire structure in order to maintain stable product storage conditions and thus avoid costly damage and downtime in the future.
For this project, we offered the client the proven JUMO meroTRON control system, which provides precise and reliable temperature control. The meroTRON is a modular controller equipped with two independent control loops, so it can simultaneously control the temperature in different locations or zones. In practice, this means that plug-in resistive temperature sensors with a connecting cable, mounted directly in the structural columns, constantly monitor their temperature, transmitting this data to the controller. The meroTRON controller, based on the information it reads, automatically turns on or off the electric heating cables, which distribute heat evenly along the entire length of the poles.
How exactly does this work? The aforementioned temperature sensors have been installed inside the structural columns, while the controller itself has been placed in a control cabinet located in the technical room of the cold storage facility. The controller, using standard communication interfaces, was directly integrated with the customer's existing HVAC equipment. As a result, all temperature data and the operating status of the heating elements are constantly available in one place, without the need for additional hardware or software.
Temperature monitoring in a cold storage room using resistance sensors (902150) and a JUMO meroTRON PLC (703051)
After implementing the monitoring system, the client gained full and stable control over the temperature in the structural pillars of the industrial refrigeration plant. The system was effectively connected to the existing HVAC system, which provided constant access to up-to-date information on thermal conditions directly on the plant controller. This significantly reduced the risk of structural damage resulting from improper temperature conditions. Operators appreciated the easy access to data, and the entire refrigeration plant became more efficient and reliable in daily operation.
My name is Ewelina Szmit and I have been involved in content marketing for several years, combining my professional skills with my passion for writing. I am convinced that even the most technical topics can be presented in an interesting and accessible way for everyone. Outside of work, I express my creativity by creating collages from newspaper clippings. I like to spend my free time actively, walking my dog or running.
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