In a rotary tubular kiln for carrying out gas-solids reactions, comprising an indirectly heated, rotatable reaction tube with inner baffles which is provided with charging and removing devices for solid and gas inlet and outlet lines, the improvement which comprises forming the baffles as a central tube which is sealed on both sides and runs along the total length of the kiln, and a spiral which is tightly connected to the central tube and also to the outer rotatable tube. Lifting blades are uniformly distributed along the inner periphery of the rotatable tube. The kiln is suitable for carrying out oxidation, reduction, chlorination, roasting, decomposition, catalytic, annealing and/or cooling processes, e.g. the conversion of hematite to magnetite or goethite to iron.