Submitted by kchitty on
In 2012, Converse Conditioned Air was contracted to design and build HVAC system for Dow AgroSciences. The field research facility located in rural Story County is a 12,600 square foot building housing drive through receiving, seed processing and cold room storage.
Converse project management worked closely with the general contractor and the architect/engineering firm verifying existing conditions and giving input on possible design solutions. The HVAC system includes a custom Aaon 50 ton packaged unit with an energy recovery feature. Because of the extreme risk of a dust explosion, all heating aspects of this project are accomplished with electric heat. The project made use of absolutely no liquid propane or natural gas. A sophisticated automatic building controls system integrated into the facility network allows the equipment to be controlled from a central location.
This project required a great deal of planning, coordination and determination by all parties involved to complete the building in a timely manner without sacrificing any aspect of quality or safety. The Dow AgroSciences soybean research facility is a prime example of innovative design addressing the growing needs developing in the agricultural industry in Iowa.
