Mixing and agitating device

A mixing assembly of the type primarily designed to accomplish a predetermined degree of hydration of solid particles, said assembly comprising:

• casing means defining container means on the interior thereof and including inlet means configured to receive both solid particles and liquid therethrough and thereby including liquid inlet means and solid inlet means structured independent of one another, said liquid inlet means comprising a spray assembly disposed and structured to direct liquid in spray form into contact with the incoming solid material at various spaced apart points along the periphery of said container;
• agitating means comprising a plurality of agitating assemblies movably mounted on the interior of said casing means and disposed along a predetermined portion of the length of said container means in at least partially spaced apart relation from one another, outlet means disposed down stream of said inlet means relative to said agitating means, said agitating means disposed, configured and structured to provide a flow of the mixed material concurrently in a direction around the central axis of said container and in a direction along a predetermined portion of the length of said container between opposite ends of said container, whereby shear flow of the mixed material is established.