Patent ID: 8426070

Claim:
A process for removing a first solvent from a porous polymeric extrudate comprising: (A) contacting the extrudate with a second solvent in a first stage; (B) contacting the extrudate from step (A) with a third solvent in a second stage; (C) conducting a first stream away from the first stage, the first stream comprising at least a portion of the second solvent in the first stage and/or conducting a second stream away from the second stage, the second stream comprising at least a portion of the third solvent in the second stage, and separating the first solvent from the first stream, the second stream, or both; and (E) cooling at least a portion of the first and/or second stream and separating therefrom at least one of a first phase rich in the second solvent or a second phase rich in the third solvent.