The invention relates to an autothermic method for the continuous gasification of substances (14) rich in carbon in a vertical processing chamber (100) having a calcination zone (C) and an oxidation zone (D), in which the calcinated substances rich in carbon oxidize with gas containing oxygen, wherein the gaseous reaction products are withdrawn at the top (G) of the vertical processing chamber (100). The vertical processing chamber is configured in the shape of a vertical shaft furnace (100), which is continuously flowed through from the top to the bottom by a bulk product (13) conducted in a cycle, which itself is not oxidized, wherein the substances (14) rich in carbon are added to the bulk product (13) before entering (3) the furnace, and the gas containing the oxygen is introduced in and/or beneath the oxidation zone (D), whereby the rising gas flow is facilitated. An after-cooling zone (F), in which the bulk product is cooled to below 100° C., is configured by introducing at least part of the gas containing the oxygen at the lower end (4) of the vertical processing chamber (100).