Kneading device

A kneading device comprising:

• a preliminary kneader that produces a preslurry by agitating a powder and a liquid introduced therein and wetting the powder with the liquid while transferring the powder and the liquid;
• a main kneader that includes two conical surfaces facing each other with a predetermined distance provided therebetween to define a first gap, whereby a slurry is produced by passing the preslurry supplied from the preliminary kneader through the first gap so that the powder is uniformly dispersed in the preslurry, wherein at least one of the two conical surfaces is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation, and at least one of two conical surfaces is mounted for movement in the direction of the axis of rotation, whereby the two conical surfaces are relatively rotatable about the axis of rotation and whereby the first gap between the two conical surfaces is adjustable;
• a slurry discharge passage connected to the main kneader for discharging the slurry from the main kneader;
• a valve provided for opening and closing the discharge passage;
• a pressure gauge provided to measure the pressure in the main kneader;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to the valve, which controller is configured to open and close the valve responsive to an input from the pressure gauge, such that a viscosity of the slurry is in a predetermined range.