Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring data traffic through a cable data network in order to guarantee a minimum and maximum bandwidth and burst length. Traffic statistics are kept as credits that are only updated as needed. Each cable modem in the network is assigned a limit on the maximum amount of traffic that it may transmit and receive depending on the service level that the subscriber has purchased. When that limit is exceeded, traffic for that modem will no longer allowed to pass through the system.

Abstract: An annular, vertical shaft kiln comprising a cascading process path with varying cross sectional area, in which the coarse charge particulants tend to follow the longer path near the walls as does the gas being injected into the mid-region of the kiln, while the fine particulants tend to take the straighter, shorter path near the middle, thus resulting in an even calcination of varying diameters of charge particulants. The briquetted fuel which may be made of hazardous waste, is heated slowly to safely destroy such wastes in the processing. Because of the limited range of the ratio of the smallest to the largest diameter of the charge particulants, the charge particulants are sorted through wire mesh screens into bins according to diameter. The kiln's computer then receives data on the process at various points along the path and controls the process by regulating the charge particulants injection, the rate of the fuel injection and/or the speed of the air injection.