The costs incurred by the length of time taken, the large quantities of raw materials required and the interruption of the production process mean it is disadvantageous to test new products using full-scale production equipment. The Armfield evaporator processes samples as small as two litres under conditions identical to those in production, sufficient to reveal the effect of heating on any ingredients newly introduced to the recipe. As well as investigation of the effect on organoleptic and physico-chemical properties, the equipment can be used to prepare product for taste trials on a daily basis to ensure the quality of incoming raw material is consistent.

Armfield miniature-scale technology is well established as offering developers the opportunity to run small trials, which provide enough information to enable scale-up to larger plant with confidence. The formulations go through similar physio-chemical changes as they would in production plant and real time data logging permits results to be recorded and repeated. The FT25 range of miniature-scale scraped surface heat exchangers has built in control and flexibility with a graphic representation on the membrane technology control panel. The operator can choose the parameters wanted for any particular formulation. The FT25 has a number of configurations according to the use required.

The CentriPeel centrifuge is a basket type separator, designed to save time in R&D operations. The FT27 can be operated at up to 400g, reducing the hours typically required for gravity setting a liquid to just a few minutes. The all stainless CentriPeel centrifuge is a solid bowl type separator designed to save time in R&D operations. It has a capacity of nine litres per batch and can be operated at up to 400g. It thereby reduces the several hours typically required for gravity setting a liquid to just a few minutes and also gives much improved separation.

The FT29 is a batch process unit suitable for teaching and research. Capable of a variety of solid/liquid extractions, it is particularly suitable for leaching edible oils from seeds and desolventising extracted solids and miscella. The Armfield Batch Solvent Extraction and Desolventising Unit is a floor-standing, batch-process unit capable of carrying out a variety of solid/liquid extractions. It is particularly suitable for ‘leaching’ edible oils from oil-bearing seeds and desolventising both the extracted solids and the miscella.