NOVELTY - Thermal processing system for processing matter comprises a vessel defining a chamber with chamber walls and having an inlet arranged to receive matter for processing within the chamber and an outlet for matter that has been processed within the chamber, the chamber being arranged such that there is a net flow of matter from the inlet towards the outlet; an auger arrangement at least partially located within the chamber; and further comprises a scraper mechanism arranged to remove matter that builds up on the walls of the chamber.    USE - The thermal processing system is useful for processing matter (claimed), preferably waste matter, such as biomass, wood pellets, sewage sludge pellets, refuse derived fuel pellets, shredded tires, and municipal solid waste.    ADVANTAGE - The auger arrangement may conveniently be provided by a shaft and a flight arrangement mounted on the shaft. In such an arrangement, the first part of the auger arrangement is provided by a first flight portion of the flight arrangement and the second part of the auger arrangement is provided by a second flight portion of the flight arrangement, the first flight portion being located in the region of the inlet and the second flight portion being located in the region of the outlet. Preferably, in such an arrangement the first and second flight portions have different handedness. In this manner, the auger arrangement may conveniently be provided by a single shaft through the system in which the flights or threads on the auger shaft are arranged to be orientated in different directions (different handedness). Rotation of such an auger arrangement then conveniently acts to propel matter in different directions depending whether the matter is in the region of the first or second part of the auger arrangement. This type of auger arrangement has the advantage of being a simple design.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method of operating a thermal processing system which involves providing a thermal processing system; introducing matter for processing at the inlet; rotating the auger arrangement; and removing matter that has been processed from the outlet.