Abstract: Apparatus and method for summarizing an original large data set with a representative data set. The data elements in both the original data set and the representative data set have the same variables, but there are significantly fewer data elements in the representative data set. Each data element in the representative data set has an associated weight, representing the degree of compression. There are three steps for constructing the representative data set. First, the original data elements are partitioned into separate bins. Second, moments of the data elements partitioned in each bin are calculated. Finally, the representative data set is generated by finding data elements and associated weights having substantially the same moments as the original data set.

Abstract: A waste fuel combustion system including a furnace having a grate for supporting waste fuel for burning, the grate including a plurality of movable members and a mechanism for reciprocating the movable members. The furnace also includes a primary gas passageway, a secondary gas passageway, and a throat through which the primary and secondary gas passageways pass in order to accelerate the flow of combustion gases. The waste fuel combustion system also includes recirculation conduits communicating between a source of exhaust gases and the primary and secondary gas passageways in order to recirculate the exhaust gases for additional combustion and degradation.

Abstract: A furnace adapted to burn wood chips and wood particles and including an inner cylinder adapted to be positioned in horizontal relation and including a primary combustion area. A funnel assembly is provided for supporting a quantity of wood particles and for funneling the wood particles into the primary combustion area of the inner cylinder. A second cylinder is also provided, the second cylinder having a length greater than that of the inner cylinder and having one end which surrounds the inner cylinder such that the inner cylinder and the second cylinder define an air space therebetween. The other end of the second cylinder defines a secondary combustion area where the combustion gases from the primary combustion area are mixed with secondary air.