the present invention provides a contractor apparatus and method for removing solvent from a polymer cement . the resulting polymer is substantially free of solvent and exhibits improved oil absorption and lower fines . in one aspect , a contractor is provided including a cylindrical casing having a high pressure section , a convergence section , a high velocity section , a divergence section , and a discharge section . the polymer cement is introduced into the high pressure section to significantly and unexpectedly improve solvent removal . the convergence and divergence sections have cross - sectional areas that correspond to an effective angle from about 4 ° to about 65 °, such as 6 °. the polymer cement is mixed with high pressure steam . after converging , the polymer cement forms more uniform droplets due to high shear of steam . in the divergence and discharge sections , the polymer is substantially devolatized .