Continuous system for processing particles

A method for removing contaminants from a material, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a vessel having a vessel inlet, a spaced apart vessel outlet, a first portion, and a second portion;
• directing a cleaning fluid into the vessel so that the cleaning fluid is in a gaseous phase in the first portion and in a liquid phase in the second portion of the vessel;
• transferring the material into the vessel through the vessel inlet;
• and
• moving the material within the vessel and through the cleaning fluid from the vessel inlet towards the vessel outlet with a material mover so that the material is moved through the cleaning fluid in the liquid phase in the first portion and the gaseous phase in the second portion.

A method for removing one or more solvents from resin particles, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a vessel having a vessel inlet, and a spaced apart vessel outlet;
• continuously directing a solvent removing fluid into the vessel;
• transferring the resin particles into the vessel through the vessel inlet;
• moving the resin particles within the vessel from the vessel inlet to the vessel outlet and through the solvent removing fluid;
• and
• transferring the resin particles from the vessel through the vessel outlet.

A material cleaning system for removing contaminants from a material, the material cleaning system comprising:

• a vessel having a vessel inlet and a spaced apart vessel outlet;
• a material source that transfers the material into the vessel through the vessel inlet;
• a cleaning fluid source that directs a cleaning fluid into the vessel so that the cleaning fluid flows in the vessel;
• and
• a material mover that moves the material within the vessel and through the cleaning fluid from the vessel inlet toward the vessel outlet.