Abstract: Apparatus for retorting organic matter including a conveyor for advancing organic matter through a chamber in the absence of oxygen, temperature sensors for sensing the temperature in the chamber at a plurality of locations along the length of the chamber, a plurality of burners located along the length of the chamber, controls for individually adjusting the heat generated by the plurality of burners in response to the temperature sensed at the locations, means for selectively directing the heat to the plurality of locations along the length of the chamber so as to convert the organic matter into a plurality of byproducts and transporting at least one of said byproducts to said burners for burning therein.