Method for processing materials to change their texture, apparatus therefor, and resulting materials

A method for processing materials, comprising the steps of:

• (a) subjecting the materials to heat and pressure in a processing enclosure, wherein the pressure is greater than the pressure of the atmosphere;
• (b) subjecting the heated, pressurized materials to a pressure-reduction phase during which the pressure in the processing enclosure is reduced at a rate greater than 500 millibars per second and by an amplitude greater than 1 bar, wherein step (a) further comprises a preliminary pressure-reduction step prior to the heating and pressurizing;
• and
• (c) aspirating the materials from the processing enclosure into a recovery enclosure, wherein the aspired materials are subjected to cyclonic movement in the recovery enclosure that deposits the materials on the bottom of the recovery enclosure.

A method for processing materials, comprising the steps of:

• (a) subjecting the materials to heat and pressure in a processing enclosure, wherein the pressure is greater than the pressure of the atmosphere;
• (b) subjecting the heated, pressurized materials to a pressure-reduction phase during which the pressure in the processing enclosure is reduced at a rate greater than 500 millibars per second and by an amplitude greater than 1 bar;
• and
• (c) aspirating the materials from the processing enclosure into a recovery enclosure, wherein the aspirated materials are subjected to cyclonic movement in the recovery enclosure that deposits the materials on the bottom of the recovery enclosure.