Abstract: A method for conditioning sludge is disclosed which includes adding a treatment material to the sludge, the treatment material including pieces of cellulose with a hydrophobic agent applied thereto. A method for conditioning sludge is disclosed which includes adding a treatment material to the sludge, and the treatment material including pieces of cellulose with wax applied thereto, the pieces of cellulose ranging in size between one-eighth inch and seven-sixteenths inch in a largest dimension and having about 0.5% to about 3% wax by weight, and at least ninety percent of surface area of the pieces of cellulose covered with wax.

Abstract: Methods are described for treating sludge, e.g. biological and/or chemical sludge, with processed cellulose material combined with another material, e.g. a surface active agent, a detergent, a surfactant, a polymer and/or an organic polymer.Cellulose flakes and methods for making them are disclosed; in one aspect the flakes are useful as animal litter or bedding; in one aspect such used flakes are re-pelletized for use as litter, food or fertilizer. Methods for absorbing, removing, and for cleaning up a first liquid floating on or in a second liquid are disclosed, the method employing absorbent pellets which, in preferred embodiments, have a particular size, density, and configuration. A pellet and a method for making the pellet are disclosed for cleaning up a first liquid floating on or in a second liquid; and a method for making pellets for absorbing a combustible material to produce fuel pellets. A method for producing fuel pellets is disclosed.