Apparatus for continuously processing dried solid products

An apparatus for continuously hydrating, cooking or blanching solids, comprising:

• (a) a first elongated chamber having an interior space defined by walls and comprising (i) an inlet connected to an aqueous solvent source and a solid material source (ii) an outlet, (iii) a pumping means for increasing pressure within the interior of the first elongated chamber, (iv) a heating means for increasing temperature within the first elongated chamber, and (v) a conveyance means for conveying and mixing the aqueous solvent and the solid through the first elongated chamber;
• (b) a second elongated chamber having an interior space defined by walls and comprising (i) an inlet connected to the outlet of the first elongated chamber, (ii) an outlet, and (iii) a means for conveying the solid material within the aqueous solvent through the second elongated chamber while maintaining pressure and temperature within the interior space of the second elongated chamber;
• and
• (c) a third elongated chamber having an interior space defined by walls and comprising (i) an inlet connected to the outlet of the second elongated chamber, (ii) an outlet for discharging the hydrated, cooked or blanched product, (iii) a cooling means for decreasing temperature within the third elongated chamber (iv) a pressure reduction means for decreasing the pressure within the third elongated chamber, and (v) a conveyance means for continuously conveying the combined aqueous and solid material through the outlet of the third elongated chamber.