Thermally processing polyester pellets to achieve partial crystallization, comprises feeding polyester melt to underwater pelletizer and pelletizing polyester melt in pelletizer to obtain pellets; feeding pellets to a water/solids separating device to dry the pellets; feeding dried pellets at pellet temperature of greater than 100[deg]C to an agitation device; and removing pellets from the agitation device at a pellet temperature of over 80[deg]C. An independent claim is also included for an apparatus for thermal processing of polyester pellets to achieve partial crystallization of pellets, comprising melt pump (14); screen changer (12); underwater pelletizer (2); water/solids separating device (3); and conveyor device (4) for transporting pellets, and arranged downstream of the underwater pelletizer and the water/solids separating device. The conveyor device is constructed and arranged to agitate pellets and crystallize pellets during transport through specific heat of the pellets.
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