Pilot Plant

California Processing Tomato Industry Pilot Plant

About Our Facility 

The California Processing Tomato Industry Pilot Plant has 8000 square feet of research space supporting undergraduate education, academic research, and industry R&D.  This space includes access to dry, frozen, and refrigerated storage as well as utility connections including air, steam, and electrical, allowing new equipment to be brought in.   For details about specific projects and rates, please contact Pilot Plant Manager Amy Fletcher

Pilot Plant Recharge Rates Effective 12/1/2015

Rate Name New UC Rate Non-UC Rate
Facility Hourly Use Rate $94.50 $200.00
SRA IV Hourly Rate $88.00 $150.00
Student Hourly Rate $24.00 $32.00

Available Equipment*

*For a complete equipment list please contact Pilot Plant Manager Amy Fletcher. 

Freeze Dryer
Tray Dehydrator
Hobart Mixer
Rossi Evaporator
Juice Processing Line 
Rotary Steritort
Steam Jacketed Kettles
Vacuum Pack Machine
Ice Cream Freezer
Batch Mixer
Dixie Canner
Shear Mixer

Available Analyses*

*For a complete list of analyses please contact Pilot Plant Manager Amy Fletcher. 

pH
Titratable Acidity
Brix
Bostwick
Color
Water Activity
Firmness
Full Can Seam Analysis
Shelf Life Testing

Facility History 

Funding for the equipment installation was provided by gifts from many donors, including several from the processing tomato industry. The facility also received an unexpected and wonderful gift of art to cover the otherwise industrial stainless steel covers that surround the utility drops. Precision Canning Equipment which had been hired to do the installation went above and beyond their contract, donating eight original paintings by artist Sergio Chavez, depicting the wide variety of fruit and vegetable crops that may be processed in the new facility. From peaches to tomatoes to corn, the bounty of California agriculture is writ large as soon as you walk into the space, thanks to Chavez’s talent and Precision Canning Equipment’s generosity.

For more information, please contact Amy Fletcher.

In this video by the Robert Mondavi Institute, you can see the Pilot Plant in action in the second segment of the video. 

 

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