Apparatus and process for producing slurry

An apparatus for producing slurry comprising:

• a mill;
• a storage tank;
• a liquid feed means for feeding a first liquid from said storage tank into said mill;
• a solid feed means separate from said liquid feed means for feeding a lumpy solid into said mill, said lumpy solid containing a second liquid therein;
• said mill having a crushing, mixing and stirring means for crushing said lumpy solid in the presence of said first liquid and mixing said crushing lumpy solid and said first liquid to produce a slurry;
• said mill having a heating means for heating said slurry and said lumpy solid and said second liquid to a predetermined temperature such that said second liquid is substantially evaporated while said first liquid is substantially unaffected;
• said apparatus further comprising a removal means for removing said evaporated second liquid and a heat-exchanger means for effecting the exchange of heat from said heated slurry to said first liquid in said storage tank, whereby thermal energy is economized.