Patent ID: 7669349

Claim:
A method for separating at least one volatile component from a feed material comprising the at least one volatile component, the method comprising: introducing the feed material into an interior cavity defined in a stationary processing vessel, the stationary processing vessel disposed within a furnace enclosure, wherein a heating space is provided between an outer wall of the stationary processing vessel and the furnace enclosure; indirectly heating the feed material in the interior cavity to volatilize the at least one volatile component without decomposing the at least one volatile component, wherein heating the feed material results in a volatilized component and processed solid and/or semi-solid material, wherein the volatilized component comprises a gaseous component, and further wherein the feed material is heated to a temperature of at least 675° F. by transferring heat from the heating space to the feed material via the outer wall of the stationary processing vessel; filtering and discharging the volatilized component from the stationary processing vessel prior to condensing the volatilized component; and removing the processed solid and/or semi-solid material from the stationary processing vessel.