Controls Department
Our Computer Controls Department was established back in the early 1980s. Back then we utilized a DOS program to control the refrigeration and controlled atmosphere equipment in the cold storage facilities. In early 2000, we retired the DOS program and migrated to a Microsoft Windows based .NET program. This program has proven to be more user friendly and allows the customer to have more control over the looks of their software. The Computer Controls Department is always researching and expanding their knowledge about innovative technology to meet our customers’ needs.
Our Control System
Over the last 25 years Doubl-Kold developed a very extensive control system for the refrigeration and controlled atmosphere storage industry. Having engineering as well as refrigeration departments under the same roof gives us a wealth of experience to draw from. And with our substantial customer base, we have developed intelligent software that meets or exceeds most plant operations.
Behind the Computer
Our staff has decades of combined experience in several different platforms and types of equipment. Because of this we have been able to narrow out products that are ineffective or outdated, giving our customers the most reasonable options to choose from. The computers we use are standard PCs, running the Windows operating system. We have minimum requirements that are inexpensive, well known, and easy to replace locally.
To expand our customers’ security, we have designed our own backup system separate from HMI. A mechanical form of security that can be engaged in critical situations such as high scale theft and power failures within the computer housing. We can split up the communication into separate runs, making it easier to run communication wiring and limit the number of control panels on each line. This saves our customers money and limits the opportunity for system failures and issues.
Saving energy, saving product!
Over the years we have worked very closely with energy engineering companies to provide a host of energy savings features for our customers. We have advanced control for compressor trimming, VFD control and monitoring, ideal condensing sequencers, wet bulb algorithms, and power monitoring. We also have some advanced plant cycling to avoid high energy costs during peak hours.
While reactive power monitoring can save money, these types of plans tend to sacrifice the product, and just shut down the whole plant for a given time. At Doubl-Kold, we do is proactive control, meaning the plant supervisor can schedule parts of the plant to scale back during known peak times, but the control will still monitor any zones currently off during cycling for high temperature limits and zone to run for a while to keep the product intact. This will have the effect of shedding the load needed to run the plant, so less compressor and condenser will be needed without a complete system shutdown.
