Recovery of poly(arylene sulfide ketone) and poly(arylene sulfide diketone) resins

A process for preparing a particulate polymeric resin, having associated therewith improved handling, comprising the steps of:

• (a) preparing in an enclosed first vessel a first slurry, wherein the solid component of said first slurry comprises a first particulate resin selected from the group consisting of poly(arylene sulfide ketone) and poly(arylene sulfide diketone) resins, and wherein the liquid component of said first slurry a polar organic compound;
• (b) substantially liquifying said first particulate resin contained in said first slurry to form a first mixture which comprises said substantially liquified resin and said polar organic compound;
• and
• (c) flashing said first mixture into a second vessel, wherein the internal pressure of said second vessel is substantially lower than that of said first enclosed vessel containing said heated first mixture, thereby removing a portion of said polar organic compound therefrom and simultaneously solidifying said substantially liquified resin to form a second particulate resin, wherein the handling of said second particulate resin is superior to the handling of said first particulate resin.