The design, construction and operation ofa laboratory scale rotary pot kiln are outlined. Charges ofup to 3 kg can be heated to temperatures up to 1200C in a controlled atmosphere. Some examples of pyrometallurgical investigations carried out using the kiln are briefly described, including thermal reactivation ofcarbon using steam at 550-850C, high temperature testing ofkiln liners for corrosion resistance to fluoride, and calcination oflimestone. Results obtained from these trials allow either direct scale-up to the Engineering Chemistry Laboratory's pilot-scale (50-100 kg/hr) rotary kiln or modifications to be made to commercial scale processes and/or equipment.