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. SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
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such as shale oils, it is probable that not only are objectionable sub- 
stances. removed but a considerable amount of material which might he 
retained in the finished products to good advantage. 
Therefore probably a major problem in shale-oil refining is the 
reduction of refining losses, either by the development of new or modif,- 
cation of old methods. Such development or modification can come only 
as the result of technical study of the oils. 
A refinery loss is a loss from more than one stand-point. In the 
first place, there is an actual loss of material, and in the second, treat- 
‘ments in which losses are incurred are more or less expensive. So the 
refiner not only loses a part of his oil but pays for losing it. 
A large part of the refining loss in any event will probably be in 
the form of acid and alkali tars, and a field of research to utilize these 
tars is plainly indicated. 
FIG. 3. OIL-SHALE RETORTING EQUIPMENT AT BOULDER, COL. 
This discussion is intended to call attention to the fact that condi- 
tions of retorting and refining should be worked out on a scientific 
basis if maximum returns are to be expected in oil-shale operations. 
Each operator should know with scientific accuracy the optimum 
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