or multi stage crystallization process the tpa obtained in the crystallization step can be separated from the aqueous materials by process known to those skilled in the separation art for example the tpa crystals may be filtered using belt filters drum filters pressure filters centrifuges single or multi stage decantation and the like the water separated off may be recycled to the hydrolysis reactor 30 in one aspect of the invention the solid tpa crystals are washed with fresh water which subsequently is used as feed water to the hydrolysis reactor 30 the high purity tpa solids may be used in a polycondensation reaction wet but drying will often be desirable to facilitate storage transport and feeding of the material to the polycondensation reactor any type of batch or continuous dryer known to those skilled in the art to be effective for drying water wet granular solids may be selected it is within the scope of the invention to provide a process for the production of tpa by hydrolyzing a dmt containing polyester wherein the polyester includes from about 10 weight to preferably substantially 100 weight dmt the polyester feed material and hydrolyzing operation are as described above referring to fig2 another embodiment of the invention.