According to a first embodiment, a dryer for removing hydrocarbons and/or moisture from metal chips is provided. The dryer includes a top portion and a base portion. The top portion comprises an elongated tubular chamber containing a scrap conveyor. The base portion comprises a burner, a heat exchanger, a high temperature VOC elimination chamber and a vent for returning reduced VOC gasses to the top portion. The top portion is configured to receive the metal chips at an inlet and transport the metal chips to an outlet while receiving heated air from the base portion.