"Retorting oil shale involves heating it to a temperature over 750° F, to convert the organic matter to oil, gas, and coke, Depending upon the maximum temperature to which the shale is raised and the rate of heating, a portion of the mineral carbonate contained in the shale is decomposed. Calculations show that complete decomposition of the carbonate in a 30-gallon-per-ton Green River oil shale would require a quantity of heat equivalent to that obtainable by burning approximately 10% of the organic matter in the shale (16). Data on the extent and rate of this decomposition at various temperatures are essential in the design and operation of retorts for producing shale oil most economically and are the subject matter of this paper."