Abstract: Secondary sludge produced in the papermaking process is dewatered by adding a material capable of absorbing water together with dry fibers to the secondary sludge, and mixing the secondary sludge with the dried fibers to produce a modified secondary sludge which has sufficient structure and low enough moisture that it may be further dewatered by mechanical means. The preferred fiber adding materials are those readily produced in the papermaking process, particularly dry primary sludge, dried fines and bark and fly ash from boilers.

Abstract: A drum dryer seal is built up of six layers of high temperature ceramic cloth that form a blanket. The top layer is aluminized, high temperature barrier yarn, to prevent air from passing through the seal. The blanket is clamped to a bracket on the non-rotating portion of the dryer by a clamp consisting of a clamping strip and a plurality of clamping bolts. The clamping bolts may also hold a plurality of C-shaped spring retention brackets, the upper leg of each holds a resilient spring. The springs overlie the sealing ring. A plunger is mounted on the spring which is positioned over a sealing ring. The plungers bias the blanket against the sealing ring. An alternative embodiment employs spring rods incorporated in the blanket which extend between the bracket and the sealing ring.