Continuous method and apparatus for separating polymer from a high pressure carbon dioxide fluid stream

A method for continuously separating polymer from a high pressure fluid stream comprising gaseous, liquid or supercritical, said method comprising:

• subjecting the high pressure fluid stream including polymer particles to a filter, wherein the filter segregates the high pressure fluid stream from the polymer particles, the polymer particles comprising a fluorinated polymer;
• subjecting the polymer particles to a rotating device which transports the polymer particles away from the high pressure fluid stream, wherein the polymer particles are exposed to thermal conditions sufficient to melt the polymer particles and form a seal surrounding at least a portion of the rotating device;
• and
• separating the molten polymer from the rotating device;
• wherein the method is carried out such that the separation of polymer from the high pressure fluid stream occurs under steady-state.