Abstract: An apparatus for converting PET into polyester polyols including a reactor vessel having an interior volume and an inlet and an outlet, a rotation device connected to the reactor vessel for rotating the reactor vessel, and a heater system interactive with the interior of the reactor vessel so as to elevate a temperature of the interior volume of the reactor vessel to at least 175.degree. C. The reactor vessel extends in a generally horizontal orientation. The rotation device includes a roll ring affixed circumferentially around the reactor vessel, a drive roller engaging the roll ring and a motor connected to the drive roller for drivingly rotating the drive roller and the associated roll ring. The heater system includes a plurality of heating pipes extending through the interior volume of the reactor vessel and a heated fluid injector connected to the plurality of heating pipes for passing a heated fluid into the pipes.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for recovering silver from a silver-containing solution. The device includes a container having influent and effluent passageways and a filler element composed of a metal above silver in the electromotive force series. The filler is disposed about an elongated core having an aperture in the side thereof. The filler may be formed of steel wire wound in the fashion of a spool about the core. One or more baffles may be situated within the filler to extend the length of the path taken by fluid flowing from the influent passageway through the filler to the core and then through the effluent passageway. Solution flowing through the filler reacts therewith so that silver is deposited within the container. An opening may be provided in the top of the container to permit viewing of the contents to determine whether the capacity of the container has been exhausted or whether the device is operating properly.