Methods and devices for heating or cooling viscous materials

A heat exchanger comprising:

• a first pressure plate and a first energy exchanging plate attached to the first pressure plate;
• a second energy exchanging plate;
• a first spacer and a second spacer arranged between the first energy exchanging plate and the second energy exchanging plate, wherein the first energy exchanging plate, the second energy exchanging plate, the first spacer and the second spacer define a first temperature controlled passage for a first product to pass through the heat exchanger;
• a third energy exchanging plate attached to the second energy exchanging plate;
• a second pressure plate and a fourth energy exchanging plate attached to the second pressure plate, the second pressure plate attached to the first pressure plate;
• and
• a third spacer and a fourth spacer arranged between the third energy exchanging plate and the fourth energy exchanging plate, wherein the third energy exchanging plate, the fourth energy exchanging plate, the third spacer and the fourth spacer define a second temperature controlled passage for a second product to pass through the heat exchanger.

A heat exchanger comprising:

• a first pressure plate and a first energy exchanging plate attached to the first pressure plate;
• a second energy exchanging plate;
• a first spacer and a second spacer arranged between the first energy exchanging plate and the second energy exchanging plate, wherein the first energy exchanging plate, the second energy exchanging plate, the first spacer and the second spacer define a first temperature controlled passage for a first product to pass through the heat exchanger;
• a second pressure plate and a third energy exchanging plate attached to the second pressure plate, the second pressure plate attached to the first pressure plate;
• and
• a third spacer and a fourth spacer arranged between the second energy exchanging plate and the third energy exchanging plate, wherein the second energy exchanging plate, the third energy exchanging plate, the third spacer and the fourth spacer define a second temperature controlled passage for a second product to pass through the heat exchanger.

A method for making a meat emulsion product comprising:

• forming a meat emulsion containing protein and fat;
• comminuting and heating the meat emulsion;
• introducing the meat emulsion into a heat exchanger and subjecting the meat emulsion to a pressure of at least 50 psi., the heat exchanger comprising a first plate, a second plate attached to the first plate and separated by a first spacer and a second spacer arranged between the first plate and the second plate, and a third plate attached to the second plate and separated by a third spacer and a fourth spacer arranged between the second plate and the third plate, wherein the first plate, the second plate, the first spacer and the second spacer subject the meat emulsion to a first temperature as the meat emulsion passes through the heat exchanger and the second plate, the third plate, the third spacer and the fourth spacer subject the meat emulsion to a second temperature as the meat emulsion passes through the heat exchanger;
• and
• discharging the meat emulsion from the heat exchanger.