Patent ID: 8361364

Claim:
A method for processing crystallizing polymers into pellets using an apparatus including an underwater pelletizer and a dryer, said method comprising: extruding strands of a crystallizing polymer through a die plate for cutting in said underwater pelletizer; cutting the polymer strands into pellets in a cutting chamber of said pelletizer; transporting said pellets out of said cutting chamber through transportation piping to said dryer as a water and pellet slurry; injecting a high velocity gas into said transportation piping with said water and pellet slurry therein to generate a water vapor mist and enhance the speed of the pellets into and out of said dryer, said water vapor mist being formed by aspirating the water into vapor using said high velocity gas so as to separate the pellets from the water while the vapor travels with said pellets to said dryer, said high velocity gas being injected into said transportation piping at a point before water is removed from said slurry; and crystallizing said pellets exiting said dryer utilizing internal heat retained by said pellets.