the size of the nozzle used to distribute the slurry to the drying vessel is greater than 0 7 mm in diameter more preferably the size of the nozzle used to distribute the slurry to the drying vessel is 0 9 mm in diameter preferably a schlick kreisl nebelduese model 121 spray nozzle is used the drying vessel can be of any size or shape depending in part on the specific polymer hydrogel to be dried and also in part on the water content of the purified slurry that is to be fed to the vessel the preferred drying vessel is a cylindrical chamber about 1 to 2 m in diameter and about 5 to 10 m in height the preferred drying vessel is a cylindrical chamber about 2 m in diameter and about 8 m in height preferred vessels include the niro tall form dryer tfd 20 in another embodiment of the present invention the method comprises spray drying the polymer hydrogel into a drying medium such as an air atmosphere the air of the drying vessel atmosphere may be exchanged in a closed or open loop system preferably an open loop air exchange system is used the air atmosphere may be moisture conditioned by adjusting the amount of water vapor entrained within it prior to entry of the air into the drying vessel preferably the air used is not moisture conditioned prior to entry of the air into the drying vessel the term u201c drying medium u201d as used herein refers.