A material drying apparatus for substantially eliminating the liquid content
of
a sludge, the apparatus including a first stage operating at ambient pressure for
heating the sludge; a second stage operating with partial vacuum for receiving
heated sludge from the first stage for further heating and for drying the sludge
by evaporation of substantially all liquid therefrom leaving a dry particulate
material; and an evacuated cyclonic stage for applying sufficient centrifugal force
to the dry particulate material to render this material odorless.
