The Department of Food Engineering is one of the major departments of Faculty of Food Processing Technology and Bioenergy since the inception of the College in the year 2009 and involved in teaching, research and extension activities. The department offers cater the need of various basic and applied subjects to provide technically trained persons to the growing food processing industry of the state as well as of the nation. The department is involved in under graduate & post-graduate teaching, research and extension activities.

Goal

To achieve excellence in the three mandate areas of the university, i.e. Teaching, Research and Extension.

Mission

1. To acquire and disseminate quality knowledge in the area of Food Process Engineering
2. To develop manpower with excellence in Food Engineering knowledge at B.Tech.(FPT) and M.Tech.(FPT) level.
3. To conduct need base research in the area of development of process, optimization, equipment for the manufacture of food products, computer vision system, assessment and conservation of energy uses in plant operations and other engineering solution/technology for the processing plants.
4. To organize training programmes, seminars, workshops etc. on the various topics of Processing Plants and Operations for strengthening knowledge, HRD and rapport with the food industries.
5. To explore possibilities of inter-institutional collaboration in education and research.
6. To participate in krushimelas, krushimahotsavs, science exhibition and other programmes organized by the university and other agencies.

Facilities of Department

There are total eight different laboratories in the department:

1. Heat and Mass Transfer Lab
2. Advance Food Process Engineering Lab
3. Food Irradiation Research Lab
4. Mechanical Engineering Lab
5. Electronics and Process Control Lab
6. Electrical Engineering Lab
7. Fluid Mechanics Lab
8. Civil Engineering Lab

Major activities of the Department

Teaching: The Department of Food Engineering is engaged in Teaching of students registered in following courses:

Research: The R&D activities of the department are directed towards process development, optimization, mechanization, mathematical modelling for many unit operations, radiation and many need based research projects. Some of the ongoing research projects in the department include:

1. Development of Irradiation Technology for Agricultural, Animal & Food Products (GoG).

2. Mechanization of Kajukatli production system (GoG).

3. Energy assessment in processing plants (GoG).

4. Computer vision system for sorting & grading of fruits (GoG).

5. Design and development of Delta robots for handling fruits and vegetable (GoG).

Some of the important Technologies developed are indicated below.

Process Technologies / Machines/ Methodologies developed/ standardized

1. Production technology for fermented instant Dhokla mix using microwave radiation

2. Production technology for puffing of grains (Parboiled Milled Rice) using microwave energy

3. Standardized recipe and process for the mechanized Kajukatli production

4. Development of ohmic heating system and thermal processing of papaya juices/pulps

5. Continuous rolling, sheeting and cutting system for manufacture of Kajukatli

Extension:

The department is actively helping the Food Industry as well as other departments of the university in carrying out need based specialized work related to product development of food and agricultural products.

Participating as resource persons and participants in several seminars and training programs organized by various state/central government organizations.

Providing technical guidance to food processing industry for solving the technical problems.

Participation in various seminars, symposiums and conferences organized by different institutes in India.

To participate in krishimelas, KrishiMahotsav (Krishirath), MeraGaonMera Gaurav, science exhibition and other programmes organized by the university and other agencies.

Major Achievements of the Department

The faculty of FE Department is professionally affiliated to;