Continuous production of hydrated lipids

Claim 1

A process for the production of hydrated product from hydratable lipid particulates which comprises: forming a suspension in water of said particulates at a temperature where substantially no hydration of said lipid particulates occurs; passing an input stream of said suspension continuously into a swept-surface, indirect heater; therein heating said input stream to pumpable hydration temperature while mechanically working said stream into a plastic mass; continuously withdrawing an exit stream of resulting plastic mass from said heater; subjecting the withdrawn exit stream to shear stress sufficient for increasing its smoothness; continuously passing the resulting smoothed, withdrawn exit stream into a swept-surface, indirect cooler; therein cooling said smoothed stream to a stabilizing, yet pumpable temperature; and continuously withdrawing the resulting cooled, smoothed stream from said cooler.