Method and equipment for the continuous production of a porous powdered product

Method for the production of a porous powdered product from at least one pulverulent and/or viscous starting product, wherein the following steps are carried out continuously and without exposing the product to the open air:

• a) the starting product is prepared in order to bring it into a viscous state of viscosity greater than 100 mPa·s and preferably greater than 200 mPa·s,
• b) in a thermomechanical treatment machine (10) for continuously carrying out at least transport and/or mixing functions for viscous products or products rich in dry matter:
• the viscosity of the product in the viscous state is lowered without changing its content of dry matter by a first operation of intimate mixing with a gas injected into the thermomechanical treatment machine (10), and
• porosity is simultaneously initiated in the product in the viscous state;
• c) continuously with the thermomechanical treatment machine (10), the intimate mixing of the product in the viscous state is intensified in a static or dynamic manner by a second operation of mixing with a gas in order to obtain an aerated and porous mass, and
• d) the mass is divided in order to obtain aerated and porous particles having a content of dry matter of from 50 to 90% and a particle size less than or equal to 3 mm.