METHOD FOR CRYSTALLIZATION AND SEPARATION OF LOW-MOLECULAR COMPONENTS FROM A GRANULATE OF A CRYSTALLIZABLE THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL AND DEVICE THEREFOR

A method may facilitate the crystallization of granules of a crystallizable thermoplastic material in conjunction with removal of low molecular mass components contained in the thermoplastic material. The crystallizable thermoplastic material may have a crystalline melting temperature of at least 130° C. According to the method, a crystallization stage and a removal stage may be performed at different temperatures of the granules. Often the crystallization may occur at a lower temperature than the removal of the low molecular mass components. In the crystallization and removal stages, a flow of gas may pass countercurrent to a direction along which the granules are conveyed. Further, example devices disclosed herein may be utilized to perform the exemplary methods disclosed herein."