"The general areas of the UWYRC research are: - Obtain chemistry, kinetics, and physics of the oil shale conversion and pollutant formation reactions as a function of process variables; and develop models of the conversion and pollutant formation process. - Persue novel concepts evolving from the oil shale technology base to the proof of hypothesis stage. - Identify significant operating parameters that control retort performance in the uniform rubble and fracture conditions at low void volumes; and develop experimental relationships between flow distribution and oil yield losses in nonuniform rubble beds."