A system can be used to process liquid materials, such as aqueous-based syrup solutions containing sugar molecules. In some examples, the system includes a processing vessel having multiple individually-controllable temperature zones arranged in series. In operation, an aqueous solution can be introduced into an inlet port of the processing vessel and passed sequentially through the series of temperature zones. Water from the aqueous solution can be evaporated within the initial stage(s) of the processing vessel to form a concentrated solution that is then cooled in subsequent stage(s). Accordingly, a supersaturated solution may be formed from the aqueous solution in the processing vessel that is then solidified to subsequently form a substantially dry solid material (e.g., sugar), still within the processing vessel. The substantially dry solid material can discharge through an exit port of the processing vessel.