Patent ID: 8020313

Claim:
An apparatus for separating at least one volatile component from feed material comprising the at least one volatile component, the apparatus comprising: a stationary processing vessel for use in processing feed material comprising at least one volatile component, wherein the stationary processing vessel comprises at least an interior cavity, an inlet for receiving feed material into the interior cavity of the stationary processing vessel, a first outlet for discharging a volatilized component resulting from processing in the interior cavity of the stationary processing vessel, and a second outlet for use in removing solid and/or semi-solid material resulting from processing in the interior cavity of the stationary processing vessel; a heating apparatus operable to heat feed material within the stationary processing vessel to a temperature of at least 675° F.; and a filter operable to remove particles having a nominal size less than 40 μm from a volatilized component when discharging the volatilized component through the first outlet.