Apparatus for hydrolyzing keratinaceous material

An apparatus for continuously hydrolyzing keratinaceous material comprising a first vessel, entry means connected with the said first vessel for continuously delivering the material into the same, agitating means provided in said first vessel for simultaneously violently agitating and moving said material through said vessel, said agitating means being rotational and capable of revolving at speeds of between about 150 to 350 rpm, heating means operatively associated with said first vessel and capable of heating any material traversing therethrough up to a temperature of less than 212.degree. F. and without any significant build up of pressure within said vessel, a second vessel, pump means interconnecting between the said first and second vessels and when operative capable of continuously transferring the fluidized material from the first said vessel into the second said vessel, another agitating means provided in said second vessel and capable of revolving for agitating the material pumped therein, another heating means operatively associated with the said second vessel and capable of heating the material traversing therethrough to a temperature of between 265.degree. F. to 365.degree. F. while creating a pressure therein of between about 25 to 150 psig, said pump means circumventing the passage of any second vessel generated pressure into the first said vessel, and another pump means connecting with the said second vessel and when operative providing for the continuous discharge of the now hydrolyzed material and some pressure from the said second vessel.