A process and apparatus for treating any fluidizable solid material having an organic contaminant or recoverable material absorbed or adsorbed thereon, particularly a sludge contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyl or other toxic chemicals having a boiling point of at least 110.degree. C. The method and apparatus includes heating the fluidizable solids, using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. to vaporize and thereby separate the organic material, for example, the toxic chemicals from the fluidizable solids and to fluidize at least a portion of the solids. The recoverable or contaminant liquid, for example the toxic chemicals, are then further treated to recover or dispose of the separated liquid, such as by condensing the liquid and filtering or decanting it from the condensed water.