Process and apparatus for direct crystallization of polycondensates

A device for performing a process for continuous production of partly crystalline polycondensate pellet material, the device comprising

• a unit for forming pellets with a line for supply of a cooling medium and a line for discharge of a mixture of pellets/cooling medium,
• a drying unit, located downstream of the unit for forming pellets, providing a first treatment space,
• and a crystallizer, located downstream of the drying unit, providing a second treatment space and being provided with each an inlet and outlet for the pellets and a gas so that, in the second treatment space, the gas can be led through the pellets under fluidized bed conditions,
• wherein the crystallizer is provided at the outlet for the pellets with a first shut-off device with a housing and a rotor movably arranged therein and having a gap between the rotor and the housing which is larger than the average diameter of the pellets.