Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing data regarding parameter values by making a series of measurements of parameter values at times separated by predetermined time intervals, processing the series of measurements of parameter values made at predetermined time intervals to identify events at different times, generating a further series of measurements of parameter values at each of said different times, and storing each of said further series of measurements of parameter values in association with said respective different time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out noise reduction in data regarding parameter values including the steps of making a series of measurements of parameter values at times separated by predetermined time intervals, forming a plurality of successive measurements into an array of measurements, performing n successive wavelet transforms on the array of measurements to produce an array of coefficients, comparing the values of the array of coefficients to a threshold value and, selectively changing the values of the coefficients based on their relationship to the threshold, to produce an array of filtered coefficients, and performing n successive inverse wavelet transforms on the array of filtered coefficients to produce an array of filtered measurements.

Abstract: A utility data processing system for processing data relating to consumption of a utility comprises: a fact memory for storage of facts relating to utility consumption received from fact sources, at least one fact source module for deriving facts from utility consumption data and adding the derived facts to the tact memory, an inference module for inferring new facts relating to utility consumption from one or more facts stored in the fact memory, and an interlace module.

Abstract: A method of identifying an event associated with consumption of a utility comprising the steps of: generating a utility consumption profile from utility consumption data, the utility consumption data comprising a plurality of utility consumption values measured at a corresponding plurality of measurement points; wherein generating the utility consumption profile comprises the step of determining a gradient of rate of change of utility consumption between consecutive measurement points; identifying measurement points at which a change in gradient exceeds a predetermined threshold; and storing in the utility consumption profile the utility consumption value at measurement points where the threshold is exceeded; and identifying an event within the utility consumption profile that matches the profile of an event stored in a database of utility consumption profiles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing time series data, in which a data structure is defined comprising a plurality of consecutive slices, each slice corresponding to a time period, time series data is stored in the data structure as runs of time series data entries each having a fixed, predetermined size and being associated with a time, each run of time series data entries comprising a number of consecutive time series data values, wherein each run of time series data is stored in a slice corresponding to the time period of the times associated with the time series data entries of the run, and each run of time series data is associated with metadata identifying the duration of the run and an offset of a start time of the run from a start time of the slice in which the run is stored.

Abstract: A data processing method includes storing data as segments. Data requiring processing is identified. Related data segments are identified and copied to storage in an analysis module. The module reviews the data, identifies required analysis tasks and stores the identified tasks in task storage in the module. The module reviews the tasks to identify required data. The module identifies any required data not stored in the module, and required data is copied to the module. The analysis module executes required task. The module removes executed tasks and updates the data in module storage based on the analysis output. The module reviews data in module storage to identify what analysis must be carried out on the identified data. When an analysis tasks stops, the data store is updated based on the updated module data. The data store comprises storage media and the analysis modules are executed in random access memory.

Abstract: A wet quenching tower for quenching coke is disclosed. A lower housing portion defines a lower interior and a portal sized to allow ingress and egress of a coke laden receptacle. A plurality of quenching sprayers for directing water onto the lower interior of the lower housing portion are supported above the lower interior. An upper housing portion is removably secured to an upper edge of the lower housing portion and supports a plurality of baffles. The upper housing portion defines an open upper end and cooperates with the lower housing portion to allow steam to rise from the lower interior upward through the housing portions. Each baffle defines a surface for allowing condensation of the portion of the steam. A plurality of washing sprayers are supported above the baffles for washing the baffles.

Abstract: A method of operating a nodal data processing system comprising a plurality of nodes connected by communications links, the nodes being arranged in a hierarchical structure having higher and lower levels, wherein data communicated between the nodes is divided into time series data and fact data, time series data is communicated from a node to a node at a higher level in the hierarchy, and fact data is communicated from a node to a node at a lower level in the hierarchy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting and quenching coke, useful in quenching a batch of coke produced in one of a plurality of coke ovens forming a coke oven battery, is disclosed. A hot car defining a substantially planar receiving surface is positioned adjacent a coke oven of the coke oven battery, and a unitary cake of unquenched coke is placed onto the hot car receiving surface. The hot car and unquenched coke are transported to a transfer station having a dust collection system. A quenching car is positioned at the transfer station adjacent the hot car, under the dust collection system. The unitary cake of unquenched coke is dumped into the quenching car receptacle, thereby separating the unitary cake. At least a portion of the dust generated by separation is collected. The quench car is then transported to a quenching station, where the separated coke is quenched.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting and quenching coke, useful in quenching a batch of coke produced in one of a plurality of coke ovens forming a coke oven battery, is disclosed. A hot car defining a substantially planar receiving surface is positioned adjacent a coke oven of the coke oven battery, and a unitary cake of unquenched coke is placed onto the hot car receiving surface. The hot car and unquenched coke are transported to a transfer station having a dust collection system. A quenching car is positioned at the transfer station adjacent the hot car, under the dust collection system. The unitary cake of unquenched coke is dumped into the quenching car receptacle, thereby separating the unitary cake. At least a portion of the dust generated by separation is collected. The quench car is then transported to a quenching station, where the separated coke is quenched.

Abstract: A utility data processing system for processing data relating to consumption of a utility comprises: a fact memory for storage of facts relating to utility consumption received from fact sources, at least one fact source module for deriving facts from utility consumption data and adding the derived facts to the tact memory, an inference module for inferring new facts relating to utility consumption from one or more facts stored in the fact memory, and an interlace module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out noise reduction in data regarding parameter values comprising the steps of, making a series of measurements of parameter values at times separated by predetermined time intervals, forming a plurality of successive measurements into an array of measurements, performing n successive wavelet transforms on the array of measurements to produce an array of coefficients, comparing the values of the array of coefficients to a threshold value and, selectively changing the values of said coefficients based on their relationship to the threshold, to produce an array of filtered coefficients, and performing n successive inverse wavelet transforms on the array of filtered coefficients to produce an array of filtered measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing data regarding parameter values by making a series of measurements of parameter values at times separated by predetermined time intervals, processing the series of measurements of parameter values made at predetermined time intervals to identify events at different times, generating a further series of measurements of parameter values at each of said different times, and storing each of said further series of measurements of parameter values in association with said respective different time.

Abstract: A method of identifying an event associated with consumption of a utility comprising the steps of generating a utility consumption profile from utility consumption data, the utility consumption data comprising a plurality of utility consumption values measured at a corresponding plurality of measurement points, and identifying an event within the utility consumption profile that matches the profile of an event stored in a database of utility consumption profiles. A computer implemented apparatus, a computer program code and an article of manufacture comprising a machine-readable storage medium and executable program instructions embodied therein, for carrying out the method are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting and quenching coke, useful in quenching a batch of coke produced in one of a plurality of coke ovens forming a coke oven battery, is disclosed. A hot car defining a substantially planar receiving surface is positioned adjacent a coke oven of the coke oven battery, and a unitary cake of unquenched coke is placed onto the hot car receiving surface. The hot car and unquenched coke are transported to a transfer station having a dust collection system. A quenching car is positioned at the transfer station adjacent the hot car, under the dust collection system. The unitary cake of unquenched coke is dumped into the quenching car receptacle, thereby separating the unitary cake. At least a portion of the dust generated by separation is collected. The quench car is then transported to a quenching station, where the separated coke is quenched.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quenching metallurgical coke made in a coking oven. The method includes pushing a unitary slab of hot coke onto a substantially planar receiving surface of a hot car. The hot car containing the coke is then transported to a quench car station. The unitary slab of hot coke is pushed onto a substantially planar receiving surface of a quench car at the quench car station. Quenching of the slab of hot coke is conducted in the quench car with a predetermine amount of water. After quenching, the quenched coke is dumped onto a receiving pad for collection thereof.

Abstract: The specification describes a system for the thermal treatment of energetic materials which generate a tremendous volume of gaseous products upon combustion. The system includes a containment system which maintains an interface between hot exhaust gas products and a cooler gas, yet allows the relatively slow removal and treatment of the exhaust gas products from the containment system while permitting the inflow of gas into the containment system to replace an equivalent volume of exhaust gas products removed therefrom.

Abstract: The specification describes a system for the thermal treatment of energetic materials which generate a tremendous volume of gaseous products upon combustion. The system includes a containment system which maintains an interface between hot exhaust gas products and a cooler gas, yet allows the relatively slow removal and treatment of the exhaust gas products from the containment system while permitting the inflow of gas into the containment system to replace an equivalent volume of exhaust gas products removed therefrom.