GTIIT-Biotechnology and Food Engineering Pilot Plant

Pilot plant manager: Dr. Zhang Tongze

Scope of the Pilot plant

Cutting edge food manufacturing instruments around the world are gathered in our Pilot plant.

Our students, faculties, and collaborators are offered with research, training, and collaboration opportunities.

The pilot plants are functioned for the evaluation of new ingredients, formulations, and processes on a small scale. The facilities can accommodate multiple activities simultaneously.

FT174X-Modular Miniature Scale HTST/UHT Process System

The FT174X is a modular HTST/UHT processing system designed to treat products at flow rates of 10-40 l/hr or up to 60 l/hr for water (or similar low viscosity products).

Accessories for FT174X

FT83 Sterile Filling System

The system is linked to the UHT system for preparing sterile packaged samples

FT91 Homogenization Sub-Systems

The system is complete in-line homogenization subsystems for use with the UHT system

Homogenization pressure: 400 bar max or 600 bar max

SCRAPED SURFACE HEAT EXCHANGER OPTIONS (FT174-75)

This accessory can be fitted at any position (preheat, main heat, cooling) for use with viscous products.

FT84-12 Microwave UHT add-on

This accessory can be used to provide a rapid microwave final heating stage.

High pressure processing

High Pressure Processing (HPP) is a non-thermal (5℃ – 25℃) food and beverage preservation method that guarantees food safety and achieves an increased shelf life, while maintaining the organoleptic and nutritional attributes of fresh products.

It is based on the use of high isostatic pressure transmitted by cold water of up 600MPa, held for a few minutes. This pressure is transmitted uniformly and instantaneously throughout the product, achieving an effect equivalent to pasteurization, but only using water and pressure instead of heat which offers multiple advantages for food and beverages products.

FT22 Rising Film Evaporator

The single tube-in-jacket evaporator replicates industrial units which often contain scores of much longer tubes within the steam space. The component parts of the industrial process have been scaled down, feed tank, vapor/liquid separator, condenser, concentrate tank, condensate tank, CIP pump and vacuum pump, all manufactured from hygienic materials such as stainless steel, PTFE and glass.

The applications of this instrument can be Juices, Milk and Mike products, Extracts (non-flammable), and Effluents.

FT18-MKII Modular Cross Flow Filtration

The Armfield FT18-MkII is a pilot-scale cross-flow filtration system designed to operate with a range of membrane module configurations. It can operate with minimal material but still give data that is useful for process scale-up.

Use the full range of cross-flow filtration applications from microfiltration through to reverse osmosis. The perfect tool to use, following on from flat sheet membrane trials with the FT17, for further process development and scale-up.

FT29 Batch Solvent Extraction and Desolventising Unit

The Armfield FT29 is a floor standing, self contained 25 litre batch process unit demonstrating a variety of solid/liquid extractions.

The unit is particularly suitable for “leaching” edible oils from oil-bearing seeds and desolventising both the extracted solids and the miscella.

FT102XA – Carbonator, Filling and Capping

The FT102XA is the latest in high accuracy carbonation and filling technology. You can carbonate a premixed product or water and syrup in a post mix configuration.

Filling soft and alcoholic beverages into PET, bioplastic, glass and cans with screw capping, crown capping and now an integral can seamer.

FT80 Tall Form Spray Dryer

The Armfield Tall Form Spray Dryer has been specifically designed to enable small quantities of product to be processed. The functional properties of the powders produced are comparable to large-scale production dryer capabilities.

Milk product instruments

FT20 Cheese Vat & Cheese Making Accessories

FT21 Butter Churn

High-pressure homogenizer

Avestin EmulsiFlex-C3

Capacity: 3L/h

Pressure: up to 2,000 bar

Armfield FT91 Homogenization System

Capacity: 10-30 L/h

Pressure: up to 600 bar (1st stage)

HS-Standard Homogenizer system

Capacity: 40L/h

Pressure: up to 4,000 bar

Bioreactor and fermenter

Solaris Genesis-20L fermenter (Steam and electrically heated)

Solaris M75-75L fermenter (Steam heated)

FT32 Laboratory Drum Dryer

A laboratory-scale drum dryer, designed for food, chemical and pharmaceutical research. The FT32 can be used for both process development and new product research demonstrating various applications of a drum dryer