EP3857570A1

EP3857570A1 - Container for hazardous waste

Info

Publication number: EP3857570A1
Application number: EP19790069.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Davide MAZZINI; Giorgio CUCE'; Silvio RINI
Original assignee: Acta Srl
Current assignee: Acta Srl
Priority date: 2018-09-26
Filing date: 2019-09-25
Publication date: 2021-08-04
Also published as: WO2020065554A1

Abstract

A container (1) defining a storage volume (1a) for hazardous waste is provided, comprising: a tag (3) identifying said container (1); and a housing (2) defining the storage volume (1a); a chamber (2d) outside the storage volume (1a) and housing the tag (3); and an opening (2e) of the chamber (2d) suitable for allowing a passage of a wireless signal (3a) between a reader (10) and the tag (3) in the chamber (2d),

Description

DESCRIPTION

CONTAINER FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE

The present invention relates to a container for hazardous waste of the type described in the preamble of the first claim.

In detail, the invention concerns a container suitable for storing nuclear waste such as radiopharmaceuticais or waste from nuclear power plants.

As is well known, the documentation regarding hazardous waste, especially nuclear waste, concerns ail the information and measures necessary to identify and characterise the container-contained system.

It is essential, in fact, not only to identify and recognise the waste present in a storage site, but also to document the tracking of the waste during all the other stages of the process: filling the container, temporary storage, conditioning, composition of the shipment batches, transport, reception at the treatment site, and final storage.

Typically, the tracking and documentation of information concerning nuclear waste are carried out by manually writing an identifier on the container and manually entering the identifier of the container associated with the waste placed in it, and all the data correlated to them, into a computer system.

The prior art described comprises a few major drawbacks.

In fact, the inscription on the container is subject to rapid deterioration and, therefore, to quickly becoming unreadable, making it almost impossible to recognize the container and, therefore, to identify its content.

Moreover, the reading of this code requires that the operator approach the container, exposing his or herself to very harmful radiation, and that the handling operations are more complex and longer than normal, because of the need to ensure the correct orientation of the container in the storage site with the increase in the doses of radiation absorbed by the staff.

In addition, due to the large amount of data to be managed and transcribed, human error can lead to inaccuracies and the need for revision and correction, resulting in longer execution times for administrative tasks.

To improve the tracing of the containers, it was proposed that a label be applied to them reproducing the identifier, for example a barcode, that is easy to read from a distance.

This solution does not allow the problem to be solved - both because the label can easily deteriorate, and because the containers are often randomly oriented and stacked in rows so that the identifier is hidden and you need to remove one or more containers to access them.

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to devise a container for hazardous waste that is capable of substantially overcoming at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

In the context of said technical task, an important purpose of the invention is to obtain a container that is easily identifiable and that, therefore, enables rapid recognition of its content.

The technical task and the specified purposes are achieved with a container for hazardous waste as claimed in the appended claim 1 . Examples of preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are clarified by the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows, to scale, a component of the container for hazardous waste according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows, to scale, a section of the container according to the invention; and

Fig. 3 shows an example of how the container for hazardous waste operates according to the invention.

In this document, the measures, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when used with words like "about" or other similar terms such as "approximately" or "substantially”, are to be understood as except for measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and/or manufacturing errors and, above all, except for a slight divergence from the value, measure, shape or geometric reference with which it is associated. For example, these terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a divergence of not more than 10% of the value.

Furthermore, when used, terms such as "first", "second", "higher", "lower", "main" and "secondary" do not necessarily identify an order, a priority relationship or a relative position, but can simply be used to distinguish more clearly the different components from each other.

The measurements and data provided in this text are to be considered as performed in ICAO International Standard Atmosphere (ISO 2533), unless otherwise indicated. With reference to the figures, the number 1 globally denotes the container for hazardous waste according to the invention.

The container is suitable for use in storing hazardous and, therefore, highly polluting waste. The container 1 is preferably used for nuclear waste.

The container 1 defines a longitudinal axis 1a and a storage volume 1 b for waste. The storage volume 1 b is hermetic. The container 1 is a barrel and the volume 1 b is cylindrical.

The container 1 comprises a housing 2 (Fig. 1 ) delimiting, and therefore defining, said storage volume 1 b; and a tag 3 identifying the container 1 .

The tag 3 comprises an identification code for the container 1 suitable for being received by a reader 10 that should be wireless or bluetooth.

The tag 3 and the reader 10 are suitable for exchanging signals 3a that should be wireless.

The tag 3 is preferably suitable for sending an identifying signal 3a, comprising the identification code, to the reader 10 in response to an activating signal 3a of the tag 3 sent by the reader 10 to the tag 3.

The tag 3 can be active and, therefore, equipped with a battery.

Alternatively, it can be passive, i.e. without a battery or other power supply. In this case, the reader 10 sends an activating signal 3a to the fag 3, supplying the tag 3, which is then activated by sending the identifying signal 3a to the reader 10 in response to the activating signal 3a.

Advantageously, the fag 3 is a conveniently passive RFID tag.

The housing 2 defines, for the storage volume 1 b, a lateral surface 2a, an access port 2b to the storage volume 2, and a base 2c defining the bottom of the storage volume 1 b.

The base 2c is opposite to the port 2b with respect to the storage volume 1 b.

The port 2b is transverse and, specifically, basically perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1 a.

The port 2b is open, enabling access to the volume 1 b.

The base 2c is transverse and, specifically, basically perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1 a. The base 2c is closed, preventing leakage and/or access to the storage volume 1 b. The lateral surface 2a is basically parallel to the longitudinal axis 1 a

The edge of the housing 2 and, in particular, of the lateral surface 2a, defines the port 2a.

The container 1 is preferably cylindrical, e.g. a barrel and, therefore, the housing 2 has a circular port 2b and base 2c and an annular lateral surface 2a. Finally, the housing 2 may have, on the lateral surface 2b, one or more ribs that are parallel to each other to reinforce the housing itself.

The housing 2 defines a chamber 2d outside the storage volume 1 b and housing the tag 3; and an opening 2e to the chamber 2d towards the outside, i.e. not facing the volume 1 a, suitable for allowing the passage of a signal 3a, which should be wireless, between the reader 10 outside the container 10 and the tag 3 placed in the chamber 2d.

In particular, the opening 2e is suitable for allowing the passage of said activating signal 3a and, conveniently, said identifying signal 3a.

The chamber 2d is preferably at the port 2b and the opening 2e is directed to the base 2c

The opening 2e is basically transverse and, to be precise, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1 a and, therefore, to the lateral surface 2a.

The housing 2 comprises a sheet 21 defining at least the lateral surface 2a and, preferably, a closing plate 22 defining the base 2c

The sheet 21 is radio-shielding so as to limit and, in particular, prevent the passage of radiation.

The closing plate 22 is radio-shielding.

The housing 2 is entirely radio-shielding. For example, the housing 2 is in carbon steel or stainless steel.

The sheet 21 defines the port 2b.

The sheet 21 has an edge 21a, opposite to the base 2b and, therefore, close to the port 2c.

The edge 21 a defines the port 2c.

The edge is folded over itself, thus defining the chamber 2d and the opening 2e, which is defined by the incomplete closing of the edge 21 a on the housing (i.e. on the lateral surface 2a). The sheet 21 is thus folded on itself into a curl facing outwards, i.e. opposite the storage volume 2a, and towards the base 2c, without closing the curl against the surface 2a and, therefore, without the sheet 21 coming into contact with itself. In summary, the curl defines the chamber 2d and the area between the profiie/perimeter of the edge 21 a and the surface 21 defines the opening 2e.

The chamber 2d has the toroidal shape. The axis of said toroidal shape is preferably the longitudinal axis 1 a.

It forms a perimeter around the entire port 2b.

The opening 2e has an annular shape with the longitudinal axis 1 a being its axis. The tag 3 can be placed in a sector of the chamber 2d and, for example, at the front of the container 1 (identifiable, for example, by means of a sticker or printing on the housing 2). It can, therefore, be read/activated by the reader 10 on the front of the container 1 . Alternatively, the tag 3 has an annular shape, its axis being the longitudinal axis 1 a, so as to occupy the entire angular extension of the chamber 2d and, therefore, interface with the reader 10 regardless of the position of the reader 10 with respect to the container 1.

To facilitate the passage of the signal 3a between the reader 10 and the tag 3, the housing 2 may define a reflection surface 2f of the signal 3a. The reflection surface 2f is suitable for deviating the activating signal 3a along the lateral surface 2a towards the opening 2e and then towards the tag 3 placed in chamber 2d. As a result, the activating signal 3a, engraved on the reflection surface 2f, runs along the lateral surface 2a to the opening 2e, passes through the opening itself and thus reaches the tag 3.

As an alternative, or in addition, the reflection surface 2f is suitable for deviating the identifying signal 3a transversely and, more specifically, perpendicularly to the lateral surface 2a towards the reader 10.

The reflection surface 2f can be a fold 23 of the lateral surface 2a.

The reflection surface 2f is fiat.

The reflection surface 2f defines an angle of inclination with respect to the lateral surface 2a and facing the opening 2e that is basically between 30° and 60°, specifically between 40° and 50°, and, to be precise, basically equal to 45°.

The container 1 comprises a cap 4 for closing the housing 2.

The cap 4 is radio-shielding.

The cap 4 is suitable for overlapping the port 2b by closing the storage volume 1 b advisably hermetically.

The cap 4 may partially overlap the chamber 2d, i.e. the above-mentioned curl, leaving the opening 2e in view.

The operation of the container 1 for hazardous waste, previously described in structural terms, is as follows.

Once the waste, which should be radioactive, has been placed in the storage volume 1 b, the container 1 is hermetically sealed with the cap 4.

The operator directs the reader 10 to the container 1 and activates the reader 10. The reader 10 sends the activating signal 3a that, by means of the opening 2e, enters the chamber 2d and reaches the tag 3.

To be precise, the activating signal 3a affects the housing 2 at the reflection surface 2f, which deviates it parallel to the lateral surface 2a. Then the activating signal 3a passes through the opening 2e, enters the chamber 2d, and hits the tag 3, thus activating it.

At this point, the tag 3 emits the identifying signal 3a of the container 1 that, through the housing 2 or by following the opposite path to that of the activating signal 3a, reaches the reader 10.

The reader 10 can thus send the identification code to a remote server, allowing the identification code of the container 1 to be stored in a storage database, together with information relating to the radioactive waste placed in the container, such as origin, type, and quantity.

The container 1 for hazardous waste according to the invention achieves important advantages.

One advantage is that the container 1 , thanks to the innovative arrangement of the tag 3 in the chamber 2d and to the presence of the opening 2e, is equipped with an identifier that is both easy to read at a distance and not subject to rubbing or other deterioration, which prevent the reading of the identifier and, therefore, the identification of container 1.

It should be noted that the presence and location of the opening 2e and, in particular, the arrangement of the chamber ensure that the materials making up the container 1 do not interfere with wireless transmission, making it possible to identify, even with the reader 10 at a considerable distance.

The invention is susceptible of variations falling within the scope of the inventive concept as defined by the claims. In this context all the details may be replaced with equivalent elements and the materials, shapes, and dimensions may be as desired

Claims

CLAI M S

1. A container (1 ) for hazardous waste defining a storage volume (1 a) for said hazardous waste and comprising:

- a housing (2) defining said storage volume (1 a);

- a tag (3) identifying said container (1 );

and characterised in that said housing (2) defines

- a chamber (2d) outside said storage volume (1 a) and housing said tag (3); and

- an opening (2e) of said chamber (2d) suitable for allowing a passage of a wireless signal (3a) between said tag (3) in said chamber (2d) and a reader (10) of said tag (3).

2, The container (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said housing (2) defines a lateral surface (2a) of said storage volume (1 a); wherein said opening (2e) is arranged transversally to said lateral surface (2a); and wherein said housing (2) comprises a fold (23) defining a reflection surface (2f) deviating said signal (3a) along said lateral surface towards said opening (2e) and therefore towards said tag (3).

3, The container (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein said housing (2) defines an access port (2b) to said storage volume (1 a) and a base (2c) defining the bottom of said storage volume (1 a); and wherein said chamber (2d) is at said access port (2b) and said opening (2e) is directed to said base (2c).

4. The container (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein said housing (2) comprises a sheet (21 ) defining at least said lateral surface (2a); and wherein said sheet (21 ) has an edge (21 a) close to said port (2b) folded over itself defining said chamber (2d) and said opening (2e), said opening (2e) being defined by the incomplete dosing of said edge (21 a) on said lateral surface (2a).

5, The container (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said housing (2) is made of radio-shielding material.

6, The container (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said tag (3) is passive.

7, The container (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said tag (3) is an RFID.

8, The container (1 ) according to claims 6 and 7, wherein said tag (3) is a passive RFID.