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Raw materials such as limestone, clay, silica and iron ore are interground with water to make a slurry. The slurry is then fed in specific proportions into the back end of Continental's kiln. This material travels downward toward the hot end of the kiln as the kiln turns approximately one revolution per minute. Initially, these raw materials give off water vapor (dehydration) and then give off carbon dioxide (calcination). Finally, near the tip of the flame, the remaining chemical reactions occur and the newly formed clinker falls out of the kiln into a cooler where it is air quenched.