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Dairy & Beverage Processing Pilot Plants
Pasteurisation, UHT, and cheese-vat technology for Canadian food scientists.
A guide to Armfield bench- and pilot-scale dairy and beverage processing equipment, anchored by the FT174 modular HTST/UHT system. Designed for product-development teams who need to validate new formulations and processes before committing to a production line.
What R&D teams do here
Pasteurisation principles
Time-temperature combinations for HTST, batch, and continuous pasteurisation; verification of lethality.
UHT and aseptic processing
Indirect and direct steam injection UHT, sterile balance tank operation, and downstream aseptic filling.
Cheese making at pilot scale
Cutting, cooking, draining, and pressing on small-batch cheese vats for new-formulation development.
Homogenisation
Two-stage piston homogenisers, fat globule sizing, and emulsion stability work.
Beverage formulation
Carbonation, in-line mixing, and small-batch trials for juices, plant-based milks, and functional beverages.
Cleaning and CIP
Pilot-scale CIP loop integration, validation of cleaning programmes that translate to plant scale.
The Armfield range
The hub-relevant Armfield equipment Hoskin Scientific supplies and services in Canada:
FT174 Modular HTST/UHT Process System
Reconfigurable indirect-heat process system for HTST or UHT operation. Pre- and post-cooling sections, holding tube, and full instrumentation for sampling and validation.
FT-Series Plate Heat Exchangers
Bench- and pilot-scale plate heat exchangers for batch and continuous heating, including counter-flow operation.
Mini Cheese Vat
Stainless jacketed cheese vat with cutter and stirrer for pilot-scale curd development.
Two-Stage Homogeniser
Pilot-capable piston homogeniser for fat reduction and emulsion stability work in dairy and plant-based beverages.
Yogurt and Fermentation Tank
Jacketed fermentation tank with temperature control for cultured product development.
Pilot CIP Skid
Tank, pumps, and instrumentation for cleaning-in-place validation matching plant CIP cycles.
Canadian application notes
Canadian food scientists at the University of Guelph, AAFC Saint-Hyacinthe, ITHQ Centre, and Cintech Agroalimentaire run pilot-scale dairy and beverage process trials before scale-up. Hoskin Scientific specifies, supplies, and supports Armfield FT-range equipment in this market: from the FT174 thermal platform to mini cheese vats and homogenisers. Canadian-side commissioning, electrical integration, and parts inventory keep these pilot plants running through long product-development cycles.
Why specify through Hoskin Scientific
- Pre-purchase consultation — matching equipment to your process objectives, footprint, and utilities.
- Quotation in CAD — including landed cost, duty handling, and trade-compliant documentation.
- Installation and commissioning — on-site, by Hoskin technicians familiar with Canadian electrical and process service standards.
- Service, calibration, and parts — held in Canada to keep long-running R&D programmes on schedule.
Explore the six Armfield hubs
Frequently asked questions
What does the FT174 do?
The FT174 is a modular HTST/UHT process system with reconfigurable indirect heating, holding tube, and pre and post-cooling sections, used for both pasteurisation and ultra-high-temperature dairy and beverage trials.
Can the FT174 run both HTST and UHT?
Yes. By reconfiguring the heating module and holding-tube residence time, the same platform supports both HTST and UHT operation.
Do Armfield dairy pilots support cheese-making?
Yes. Mini cheese vats with cutter and stirrer are available for pilot-scale curd development.
Are bench homogenisers available?
Yes. Two-stage piston homogenisers at pilot capacity are available for fat-globule sizing and emulsion stability work.
Get a Quote on Your dairy or beverage pilot Lab
Building a new dairy R&D capability or refreshing an existing pilot plant? Our team will help you scope the right combination of FT174 thermal platform, homogeniser, and ancillary equipment.
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