"Allis-Chalmers has designed a 500-BPD demonstration-scale retort system for the processing of a New Albany shale. The system is based on the patented ROLLER GRATE apparatus and will fully utilize the energy in the kerogen by first retorting the shale and then recovering the remaining energy by combusting the residual carbon. The heat recovered in this step is used to drive the retort process and produce steam and electricity. The ROLLER GRATE retort system has several, advantages. First, the ROLLER GRATE apparatus is used to convey a deep bed of shale that is in constant relative motion. This provides benefits such as more uniform temperature distribution and reduced gas flow requirements because the problem of gas channeling is eliminated. the multi-zone approach of the Allis-Chalmers process allows each of the zones to be designed individually, with optimal process gas temperatures and flow rates, rather than depending on the off-gas from a previous zone. Over 12 tons of eastern shale have been processed on a Process Development Unit (PDU) at Allis-Chalmers'facilities in Oak Creek. Wisconsin. Extensive data analyses and acquisition during testing were used to determine design variables that influence the retort, combustion and cooling kinetic rates. These tests have provided the data from which a continuous process plant was designed. A description of the ROLLER GRATE retort process is given, along with a discussion of the PDU apparatus used to obtain design data. Application of the test results from the PDU to the design of a 500-BPD demonstration plant is discussed. Finally, a description of the equipment in the demonstration plant and the operation of this plant is included."