Provided is a rotary kiln having a cylindrical shell having an inner cylindrical surface and a longitudinal axis and a kiln lining disposed on the inner cylindrical surface of the shell. The kiln lining includes one or more radial portions of a first size of shaped refractory material disposed on the inner cylindrical surface of the shell along the longitudinal axis for at least a portion of the shell and one or more lifter sections comprising a second size of shaped refractory material that extend along the longitudinal axis for at least a portion of the shell and are between radial portions of the first size of shaped refractory material, wherein the second size of shaped refractory material is greater than the first size of shaped refractory material, such that the second size of shaped refractory material extends orthogonally from the inner cylindrical surface for a greater portion of the diameter of the shell than the first size of shaped refractory material, the second size of shaped refractory materials thereby forming a series of blunt faces. Also included are methods of processing materials using the inventive kiln lining, and methods of assembling the inventive kiln lining.