Patent ID: 8246757

Claim:
A method of thermally disassociating a mass of organic material comprising providing a processing chamber with an exhaust port between the ambient atmosphere and the atmosphere within the processing chamber, and an opening between the ambient atmosphere and the atmosphere within the processing chamber, the opening being of sufficient size to pass the organic mass between the ambient atmosphere and the atmosphere within the processing chamber, continuously flowing water vapor into the gaseous atmosphere within the processing chamber, continuously withdrawing a flow from the gaseous atmosphere within the processing chamber through the exhaust port to maintain the pressure in the processing chamber at a pressure no greater than the ambient atmosphere, thereby providing a flow of ambient air through the opening into the processing chamber, the combined flow of water vapor and ambient air into the processing chamber containing 40 to 60 percent water vapor and ambient air by volume, whereby the combined flow of air and water vapor into the processing chamber contains insufficient oxygen to maintain combustion, heating the gaseous atmosphere within the processing chamber to a temperature between 650 degrees Fahrenheit and 800 degrees Fahrenheit, transporting the organic mass from outside of the processing chamber through the opening and into the processing chamber, whereby the organic mass contacts the gaseous atmosphere within the processing chamber, and maintaining the organic mass in contact with the gaseous atmosphere within the processing chamber for a sufficient period to disassociate the organic mass into gases, smoke and solid residue without combustion.