Methods and systems for crystallizing tacky materials using a tumbler

A method of crystallizing pellets in a crystallizer, the method comprising:

• providing pellets into a drum of the crystallizer;
• measuring, via a first thermocouple, a first temperature of the pellets after entering the drum;
• rotating the drum containing the pellets;
• tilting the drum to a predetermined angle to change a flow of the pellets within the drum based on the first temperature differing from a first predetermined temperature threshold;
• providing one or more adjustable damper plates arranged near an outlet of the rotatable drum configured to provide a partial impediment to a flow of pellets out of the rotatable drum;
• adjusting at least one damper plate of the one or more damper plate to create a desired opening between two adjacent damper plates to control the flow of pellets;
• and
• directing the flow of pellets out the outlet of the drum.

A method of crystallizing pellets in a crystallizer having a rotating drum, the method comprising:

• providing pellets into the rotating drum of the crystallizer;
• measuring, via a first thermocouple, a first temperature of the pellets entering the drum;
• rotating the drum containing the pellets;
• initiating a flow of heated air from an air tube at least partially disposed within the drum through the drum based on the first measured pellet temperature being below a temperature necessary to achieve crystallization;
• providing one or more adjustable damper plates arranged near an outlet of the rotating drum configured to provide a partial impediment to a flow of pellets out of the rotating drum, at least one damper plate of the one or more damper plates is configured to adjust to create an adjustable opening between two adjacent damper plates of the one or more damper plates for the flow of pellets to flow;
• and
• directing the flow of pellets to exit through the outlet of the drum.