RF-enablement of auditable storage for hazardous materials
First Claim
1. A container for storing a hazardous waste item, said container comprising:
- a) a RFID tag comprising an antenna, a transceiver operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 15 MHz, a data storage device, a microprocessor operable to control data flow between said data storage device and said transceiver, and an energy source for providing energy to said transceiver, said data storage device, and said microprocessor;
b) an encasement structure surrounding said waste item and said RFID tag, said encasement structure comprising a cementitious composition.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cementitious container that has a low-frequency radio tag containing the container'"'"'s pedigree and history. The container is used for storage of hazardous waste are disclosed having an inner layer of substantially unhydrated cement in contact with the hazardous waste and an outer layer of hydrated cement. Cementitious hazardous waste containers may be prepared by compressing powdered hydraulic cement around solid hazardous waste materials as well as the encapsulated radio tag that uses low frequency communication. This makes it possible to read and write information though the wall of the container as during transportation to a storage site. Once placed at the storage site, the pedigree, (history contents, Chain of Possession, Proof of delivery, weight), may be checked and verified by reading the tag on a regular basis, (once an hour), to confirm the vessel is intact and has not been moved. Sensors may also be placed on the radio tag to monitor critical parameters like temperature, light levels, movement detectors, and radioactive levels. These may be reported back via the data-link on a regular basis and may also be used as alarms if one moves outside of a specified range.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A container for storing a hazardous waste item, said container comprising:
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a) a RFID tag comprising an antenna, a transceiver operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 15 MHz, a data storage device, a microprocessor operable to control data flow between said data storage device and said transceiver, and an energy source for providing energy to said transceiver, said data storage device, and said microprocessor; b) an encasement structure surrounding said waste item and said RFID tag, said encasement structure comprising a cementitious composition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A container for storing a dangerous waste item, said container comprising:
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a) an inner layer surrounding said waste item, said inner layer comprising an unhydrated cementitious composition; b) a RFID tag comprising an antenna, a transceiver operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 15 MHz, a data storage device, a microprocessor operable to control data flow between said data storage device and said transceiver, and an energy source for providing energy to said transceiver, said data storage device, and said microprocessor; c) an outer layer surrounding said inner layer and said RFID tag, said outer layer comprising a hydrated cementitious composition. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A system for accessing information about a hazardous waste item during shipment and storage thereof, said system comprising:
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i) a container for storing said hazardous waste item, said container comprising; a) a RFID tag comprising an antenna, a transceiver operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 15 MHz, a data storage device, a microprocessor operable to control data flow between said data storage device and said transceiver, and an energy source for providing energy to said transceiver, said data storage device, and said microprocessor; b) an encasement structure surrounding said waste item and said RFID tag, said encasement structure comprising a cementitious composition; and ii) a field antenna operable to send an interrogation signal to said RFID tag at said low radio frequency and to receive data signals at said low frequency from said RFID tag. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method for accessing information about a hazardous waste item during shipment and storage thereof, said method comprising:
- i) surrounding said waste item and an RFID tag in a container, said container comprising a cementitious composition, said RFID tag comprising a tag antenna, a transceiver operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 15 MHz, a data storage device, a microprocessor operable to control data flow between said data storage device and said transceiver, and an energy source for providing energy to said transceiver, said data storage device, and said microprocessor;
ii) disposing a field antenna in spaced adjacency to said container, iii) receiving data signals, (e.g., representing a condition experienced by said RFID tag), of said low radio frequency, at said field antenna and transmitting them to computing device;
iv) storing information based upon said data signals;
in a data storage apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
- i) surrounding said waste item and an RFID tag in a container, said container comprising a cementitious composition, said RFID tag comprising a tag antenna, a transceiver operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 15 MHz, a data storage device, a microprocessor operable to control data flow between said data storage device and said transceiver, and an energy source for providing energy to said transceiver, said data storage device, and said microprocessor;
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19. A method of containing a hazardous waste item, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) disposing an inner layer of powdered hydraulic cement around a waste item;
b) compressing said inner layer of powdered hydraulic cement around said waste item to form a compressed inner layer;
c) disposing, adjacent said compressed inner layer, an RFID tag comprising an antenna, a transceiver operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 15 MHz a data storage device, a microprocessor operable to control data flow between said data storage device and said transceiver, and an energy source for providing energy to said transceiver, said data storage device, and said microprocessor;
d) positioning an outer layer of cement paste around said compressed inner layer of powdered hydraulic cement; and
e) hydrating and curing the outer layer of cement paste without substantial hydration of said compressed inner layer of powdered hydraulic cement. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
- a) disposing an inner layer of powdered hydraulic cement around a waste item;
Specification