Patent ID: 8298406

Claim:
A method for processing materials comprising: selecting a rotary kiln, the rotary kiln having a cylindrical body disposed generally horizontally, an inlet disposed at a first end of the kiln body, and an outlet disposed at the second end of the kiln body; rotating the kiln body about a generally horizontal axis; heating the kiln body with a burner, the burner producing a flame which directly contacts the exterior surface of the kiln body at a location on the kiln body which is on the bottom half of the kiln body and wherein the surface of the kiln body at said location is ascending due to the rotation of the kiln; feeding organic material into the kiln inlet such that the rotation of the kiln carries the material through the kiln, to the kiln outlet, and out of the kiln; and heating the organic material with the kiln to decompose the organic material and thereby produce condensable hydrocarbon gasses from the material; wherein, when viewed in cross section, the organic material forms a single body of matter in the kiln body and the burner flame contacts the surface of the kiln adjacent said single body of matter; and wherein the burner flame defines a central axis and wherein, when the kiln is viewed in cross section, said single body of matter defines a center of mass and wherein said burner flame central axis intersects said center of mass and a cross sectional center of the kiln body.