Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in cement clinker production apparatuses, particularly those with a short rotary tubular kiln, in which pollutant containing raw meals are utilized, wherein a bypass vent or gas sub-vent, exhausts a sub-stream of the rotary kiln exhaust. It is proposed to introduce meal or processing dust as condensation nuclei into the upper region of the kiln inlet chamber, these nuclei being entrained by the vented gas sub-stream. This vented gas sub-stream is subsequently further cooled by the introduction of water and/or cool air prior to its de-dusting in a dust trap.