The Food Science Pilot Plant is a sister facility to the IBRL, providing expanded opportunities in food-grade processing for our clients and partners.
THE FACILITY
The Food Science Pilot Plant has a variety of different spaces to assist in serving its mission.
Pilot Processing Plant
The Pilot Processing Plant is a flexible processing space where equipment can quickly be installed and made ready for various types of processing activities. The space features a 24′ ceiling height with quick connect utilities (clean steam, process chill water, compressed air, domestic water, and DI water), along with distributed 208V 3-phase and available 460V 3-phase power. A dedicated HVAC system and floor drains are integrated to ensure optimal temperatures and clean-ability of the space. The processing spaces are separated to allow multiple activities to occur simultaneously.
Product Development Kitchen
The Product Development Kitchen is a commercial kitchen used for assisting with scale-up to the pilot plant, or to put ingredients made in the pilot plant into final food application for testing. This space is used heavily by the FSHN Product Development class and club, classes held in the Food Science Pilot Plant, and the ISFP. Available equipment includes various types of ovens, cooktops, fryers, griddles, mixers, blenders, food processors, dough rollers, utensils, pots/pans, and more.
Food Analysis Laboratory
The Food Analysis Laboratory is used for quick validation of processes in the pilot plant or sample preparation. Features include bench space, storage, a chemical hood, analysis equipment, and temperature control chambers. Additional equipment is available in other laboratories in the building.
Dr. Terry & Catherine Shin Conference Room
The conference room is located directly off of the gowning room and is available to users of the facility to serve as an area to prepare for classes or projects, hold discussions, take breaks, or hold meetings.
Funding for this space was generously donated by Dr. Terry & Catherine Shin and Swagger Foods.
Workshop, Dock, & Storage
The Food Science Pilot Plant has several support spaces critical to ensuring smooth operation of the facility. A fork truck and other material handling equipment are available to move incoming equipment and materials. A fully-equipped workshop ensures equipment is well-built and maintained, or can quickly be repaired. A variety of storage conditions are available, including dry storage and cold rooms at -15F, -5F, -8F, and 38F.
Floor Plan
Equipment Donors
We greatly appreciate our partners for providing equipment for use in the facility by industry, students, and academic researchers.
PepsiCo – Armfield HTST/UHT, oat mill, 5 gallon kettle, enrober/seasoning drum, volumetric feeder, flavor bins, conveyor, and other miscellaneous items
Kraft-Heinz – Various homogenizers, centrifugal pump, 5 gallon kettle, large tank, temperature control chambers, and other miscellaneous items
Barilla – Homogenizer, fume hood, dough divider/rounder, tray sealer, refrigerator, freezer, and other miscellaneous items
Kellogg’s Corporation – Vertical form fill seal dry product packaging machine
Hormel Foods – Buhler 44mm twin-screw extruder
Buhler Group – Aeroglide fluidized-bed dryer, technical expertise, and technologist time
Murzan – 3″ Diaphragm Pump
Funding & History
The Food Science Pilot Plant was originally constructed in 1984, bringing together equipment and resources previously spread across several locations on campus. Half of the facility operated as a registered dairy, with the remaining space serving as a teaching space for students.
Learn more below.