pilot plant

American  

noun

1. an experimental industrial plant in which processes or techniques planned for use in full-scale operation are tested in advance.

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pilot plant British  

noun

1. a small-scale industrial plant in which problems can be identified and solved before the full-scale plant is built

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Etymology

Origin of pilot plant

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Electra expects to open a new pilot plant in 2025.

From Science Magazine

At a pilot plant, Boston Metal, which previously received money from ARPA-E, also relies on electricity to separate and purify iron.

From Science Magazine

The project, which kicked off in 2022, is working on a pilot plant that's due to be operational in the first half of this year - though it's hit some difficulties.

From BBC

In the coming years there are plans for a pilot plant somewhere in Europe.

From Science Daily

Cai hopes that demonstrating the pilot plant will lead to larger-scale investment in the technology, as harnessing energy from fossil fuels adds to global warming and hurts the planet.

From Science Daily