Noun
/p.aɪ.lət plænt/
A pilot plant is a small-scale industrial plant used for testing and developing processes before full-scale manufacturing begins. It is often used in the fields of chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals, and bioengineering to assess the feasibility of a process, validate operating conditions, and produce sample quantities of materials. Pilot plants enable researchers and engineers to experiment with and optimize production methods, ensuring a smoother transition to larger-scale operations.
Pilot plants are commonly used in both oral speech and written contexts, especially in technical documents, research proposals, and discussions related to engineering, manufacturing, and product development.
Компания построила опытный завод, чтобы протестировать новый производственный процесс перед его полным развертыванием.
Results from the pilot plant trials showed promising improvements in efficiency.
Результаты испытаний опытного завода показали многообещающие улучшения в эффективности.
Before investing in a full production line, they decided to operate a pilot plant for six months.
The term pilot plant itself is not commonly part of idiomatic expressions. However, in the context of scientific research and engineering, there are related phrases that may incorporate the concept of testing, trials, and experimental stages. Here are a few examples of expressions that relate to experimentation and process validation:
Прежде чем запустить продукт по всей стране, они хотели проверить, как он воспримется на более мелких рынках.
Trial run - A test of a procedure or equipment to see how effective it is.
Они провели пробный запуск нового программного обеспечения, чтобы выявить любые ошибки перед официальным релизом.
Proof of concept - Evidence that a proposed idea or project is feasible.
The term pilot plant stems from the word "pilot," which refers to something used as a model or example (derived from the Old French "pilote," meaning "one who steers a ship"). The term "plant" in this context refers to a manufacturing facility where processes are conducted. Thus, a pilot plant can be seen as a facility that guides and tests processes before larger-scale production begins.
In conclusion, the concept of a pilot plant plays a crucial role in various industries by allowing for the evaluation and optimization of processes before they are deployed at a larger scale. Its importance in research and engineering contexts makes it a valuable term in the vocabulary of professionals in these fields.