Abstract: A method of retorting organic matter including the steps of advancing the organic matter through a chamber in the absence of oxygen, sensing the temperature in the chamber at a plurality of locations along the length of the chamber, individually adjusting the heat generated by a plurality of burners along the length of the chamber in response to the temperature sensed at the locations, utilizing the generated heat to selectively raise the temperature of the organic matter at a plurality of locations along the length of the chamber so as to convert the organic matter into a plurality of byproducts, and burning at least one of the byproducts in the burners.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus for allowing thermal dimensional changes of metal parts in a retort mechanism including, a retort chamber, a retort pipe axially extending within the retort chamber and having a material inlet and outlet portion, a retort auger axially extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the retort pipe, the retort pipe having an outer end wall at the inlet end thereof, the retort auger being fixed to the outer end wall so as to be rotatable within the retort pipe, the retort pipe, retort auger and outer end wall being mounted so as to be axially slidable within the retort chamber in response to thermal expansion, and a circumferential seal mounted on the retort chamber and in contact with the retort pipe so as to maintain a sealing relationship during axial sliding.