Abstract: An apparatus for the conversion of sludge including a heated continuous tubular member having a continuous conveyor extending therethrough and defining along its length in succession a heating zone, a connecting zone and a reaction zone. The connecting zone conveys solid products from the heating zone to the reaction zone without substantial passage of gaseous material therethrough, and a duct means separate from the tubular member connects the heating zone and the reaction zone for the passage of gaseous products from the heating zone to the reaction zone.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new process for the conversion of the organic components of sludge, particularly sewage sludge, to produce useful, storable, energy-containing oil products, apparatus for carrying out the process and a control process for optimization of the process temperature. The sludge preferably is mechanically dewatered to about 20-25% solids by weight and thermally dried to about 90% solids by weight. The resultant material is comminuted and heated in the apparatus of the invention to at least 250.degree. C. in a heating zone in the absence of oxygen to generate a gaseous atmophere containing volatiles; this atmosphere is then removed, scrubbed of H.sub.2 S and NH.sub.3 if required, and passed preferably in countercurrent flow in a heated reaction zone in intimate contact with the "devolatilized" sludge solids from the heating zone, again in the absence of oxygen, at a temperature of at least 280.degree. C., resulting in catalyzed vapor phase oil-producing reactions.

Abstract: An apparatus for stringing up a rotating package holder on a ring twister with a yarn being fed to a waste jet. A rotatable pulley with a yarn guide attached is used to intercept the yarn and move it into engagement with a cutter attached to the waste jet and a yarn snagging means adjacent the package holder. The waste jet-cutter combination is also designed to cut down a full package at the completion of a winding cycle.