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WO2013121430A1 - Waste storage system and method of sealing thereof - Google Patents

Waste storage system and method of sealing thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013121430A1
WO2013121430A1 PCT/IL2013/050140 IL2013050140W WO2013121430A1 WO 2013121430 A1 WO2013121430 A1 WO 2013121430A1 IL 2013050140 W IL2013050140 W IL 2013050140W WO 2013121430 A1 WO2013121430 A1 WO 2013121430A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
concrete
concrete monolith
base member
unit
alignment elements
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2013/050140
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jeshoa MESINGER
Original Assignee
Mesinger Jeshoa
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mesinger Jeshoa filed Critical Mesinger Jeshoa
Publication of WO2013121430A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013121430A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09B—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B09B1/00—Dumping solid waste
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09B—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B09B5/00—Operations not covered by a single other subclass or by a single other group in this subclass
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F9/00—Treating radioactively contaminated material; Decontamination arrangements therefor
    • G21F9/04—Treating liquids
    • G21F9/06—Processing
    • G21F9/16—Processing by fixation in stable solid media
    • G21F9/162—Processing by fixation in stable solid media in an inorganic matrix, e.g. clays, zeolites
    • G21F9/165—Cement or cement-like matrix
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F9/00—Treating radioactively contaminated material; Decontamination arrangements therefor
    • G21F9/28—Treating solids
    • G21F9/30—Processing
    • G21F9/301—Processing by fixation in stable solid media
    • G21F9/302—Processing by fixation in stable solid media in an inorganic matrix
    • G21F9/304—Cement or cement-like matrix
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F9/00—Treating radioactively contaminated material; Decontamination arrangements therefor
    • G21F9/28—Treating solids
    • G21F9/34—Disposal of solid waste
    • G21F9/36—Disposal of solid waste by packaging; by baling

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of permanent waste storage. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for producing a permanent waste storage platform for efficiently deploying a plurality of concrete containers.
  • a large disposal site consisting of a trench or excavation, will typically be sequentially filled with many, separately fabricated concrete monoliths repetitively formed in the same box-like manner and using common walls, thereby forming a single, large monolith.
  • the thus formed monolith is then covered with barriers as specified in applicable laws, rules and regulations, and buried.
  • This method of forming a series of boxes, each with an open end, loading the waste into the box, and then fabricating a form to construct a closed end, and then filling the thus formed concrete box with concrete represents the current state of the art method for containing wastes in concrete monoliths which is allowed under current laws, rules and regulations.
  • the present invention relates to a waste storage system, comprising: a) a platform which includes a base member having an essentially flat upper surface made of a plurality of strengthening members, wherein said base member includes a plurality of groups of alignment elements deployed on its upper surface, wherein each group of alignment elements defines the location upon which a corresponding concrete monolith will be placed; b) a concrete monolith unit for storing waste, wherein said unit includes a container base member having lower alignment elements located at the outer surface of its bottom (i.e., at the lower end), wherein said lower alignment elements adapted to engage with the group of alignment elements of said platform; and c) a top covering member having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the concrete monolith unit is configured in such a manner that upon covering the upper end of said container base member with said top covering, an air gap is created between said container base member and the inner surface of said top covering member and wherein said air gap includes at least one outlet for allowing the indicating upon the completing of a sealing processes of said concrete monolith unit
  • the top covering member having upper alignment elements located on top of its outer surface for allowing the placement of an additional concrete monolith unit in an alignment manner on top of the outer surface of said top covering member, such that one concrete monolith unit will be located above the other, and thereby resulting in an expanded storage capabilities of the waste storage site in a disposal area.
  • the concrete monolith unit includes an inner vessel for accommodating the waste.
  • the concrete monolith unit further comprises guiding elements located on the outer side wall(s) of the container base member of each concrete monolith unit and which adapted for engaging between each two adjacent concrete monolith units, thereby allowing the creation of a wall made of a plurality of engaged concrete monolith units.
  • the guiding elements can be in form of at least one protrusion member located at a first outer side wall of a first concrete monolith unit and at least one corresponding hole located at first outer wall of a second concrete monolith unit.
  • the present invention relates to a method for indication upon the completing of a sealing process of a concrete monolith unit, comprising the steps of: generating an air gap between a container base member of the monolith unit and its top covering member, for allowing the injection of a sealant material through an opening in said gap, wherein said air gap includes at least one outlet for indicating upon completing of the injected sealant process, as the sealant removes the air from the gap when it reaches said outlet.
  • the method further comprises providing detection means for indicating whenever the sealant reaches the outlet.
  • the detection means are an air pressure mechanism, colored air, or any other method suitable to indicate that the air from gap has been removed.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an isometric view of a storage platform 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a top view of the storage platform 1;
  • FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a concrete monolith unit provided with alignment elements, according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 4 schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view, the engagement between the concrete monolith of Fig. 3 and the storage platform of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a concrete monolith unit provided with guiding elements for engaging between two adjacent concrete monolith units, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • crete monolith is used to indicate an essentially quadrilateral container adapted to hold refuse material. This term does not imply any particular shape, construction material or geometry, and invention is applicable to all suitable containers.
  • waste relates to domestic waste products, industrial process waste material, and municipal garbage. This refuse may also be toxic or hazardous waste, raw untreated garbage, incinerator ash, pulverized rubbish, or compacted trash.
  • strengthening members relates to iron reinforcement rods, cable, wire mesh, or reinforced concrete columns. Furthermore according to the preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention the strengthening members are anodized, coated with plastic, or covered with a means for protecting against corrosion.
  • Figs. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a storage platform 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the storage platform 1 comprises a base member 4 having an essentially flat surface and is made of a plurality of strengthening members.
  • the base member 4 includes a plurality of groups of alignment elements 2 deployed on its upper surface.
  • Each group of alignment elements 2 defines the location upon which a corresponding concrete monolith unit will be placed (e.g., an allocated area for a single concrete monolith is indicated by numeral 3).
  • Each group of such alignment elements allows to accurately positioning a concrete monolith unit (that is provided with corresponding alignment elements on its bottom) on top of the upper surface of the base member 4.
  • each alignment element is made of rigid material and having a pin-like form (e.g., a metal pin or other rigid and protrusion unit).
  • each group includes four pin-like units of such alignment elements 2 which are deployed in a quadrilateral formation.
  • the bottom surface of the concrete monolith will have a formation that can be easily engaged with a group of alignment elements 2.
  • the bottom surface of the monolith will have at least four holes (or other sort of apertures) that are respectively deployed and shaped with the formation of the group of alignment elements 2.
  • the alignment elements 2 can be sort of protrusion elements (as clearly shown in Fig. 1), apertures (not shown) or combination thereof (not shown).
  • each of the alignment elements 2 is in the form of a protrusion element (e.g., a pin)
  • the corresponding alignment elements at the bottom of the concrete monolith should be in the form of apertures that will fit the form of the protrusion element. This allows to easily engaging between the concrete monolith and the storage platform 1 (as shown in Fig. 4 with respect to alignment elements 2 of the storage platform 1 and the corresponding alignment elements 16 of a concrete monolith 10).
  • Fig. 3 shows a cross section view of a concrete monolith unit that can be used in conjunction with the invention.
  • the concrete monolith unit illustrated in this figure is particularly convenient because it can be accurately placed on the storage platform of the present invention.
  • the concrete monolith unit generally indicated by numeral 10 in the figure comprises a base member 11 made of concrete and having lower alignment elements located on its bottom (indicated by numeral 16), a first covering member 12 (optional), a second covering member 13 (i.e., a top covering) having upper alignment elements located on its top (indicated by numeral 17) and an inner vessel 14.
  • the method for producing a concrete container for permanent waste storage comprises: (a) casting a base member from concrete; (b) placing an inner vessel inside the inner space of said base member ; (c) placing compressed refuse onto or into the inner vessel; (d) (optionally) attaching a first covering member to the inner vessel; (e) attaching a second covering member on top of said first covering member; and (f) remotely sealing the refuse therein with injected sealant.
  • the first covering member is cast from metal and the second covering member is cast from concrete.
  • the second covering member may be made from any permanent attachable material.
  • the first covering member is attached to the base member.
  • the second covering member is simultaneously cast (e.g., from concrete - in place) and attached on top of the first covering member for providing better sealing properties by generating pressure on the first covering member.
  • the refuse (or the package or packages thereof) may contain a plurality of strengthening members. This serves to increase the load bearing capacity of the resultant concrete monolith - and this is advantageous when these concrete monoliths are used as building elements (as will be subsequently discussed). For example, the refuse can be compressed into the inner vessel 14.
  • the shape of the packaged refuse is approximately identical to the shape of the volume of the interior of the inner vessel 14.
  • the inner vessel 14 is in the shape of a cube, a rectangular box, a partial sphere, a cylinder, an obelisk or any other suitable form.
  • the first covering member is square, circular, or rectangular.
  • the second covering member 13 generates an air gap between the base member 11 and the first covering member 12 (the opening of the air gap is indicated by numeral 15 in Fig. 3), for allowing the injection of a sealant material between them, in order to increase the sealing of the concrete monolith.
  • This air gap 15 includes at least one outlet (indicated by numeral 18 in Fig. 3), for indicating upon completing of the injected sealant process, as the sealant removes the air from the gap (from outlet 18) until it reaches outlet 18. This can be used as an indication of completing the sealant injection process.
  • a video camera or other monitoring means can be used detect whenever the sealant reaches the outlet 18, air pressure mechanism, colored air, or any other method suitable to indicate that the air from gap 15 has been removed.
  • the method of indication the completing of the injected sealant process can be used with any type of monolith or container, either with alignment elements on its top and bottom or without them.
  • the second covering member 13 and/or the inner wall of the base member 11 further comprises one or more slits or wider aperture(s) as indicated by numeral 20.
  • Such slits are also filled with the sealant material, for better strengthening the connection between the covering 13 and the base member 11, as this generates an anchoring effect with the sealant material.
  • the second covering member 13 i.e., the covering member
  • the covering member is cast by providing concrete onto the covered inner vessel 14 (which has been placed onto the base member 11 and cover by the first cover 12), and by optionally generating the air gap 15 and its outlet 18.
  • the present invention further comprises using a plurality of such concrete monolith units as building elements for constructing meta-structures on top of the storage platform 1.
  • the method for constructing these meta-structures is comprised of stacking, arranging, attaching or scattering a plurality of these building elements in a predetermined pattern as defined and allocated fro each concrete monolith by the alignment elements formation of the storage platform 1.
  • the spaces between the concrete monolith (i.e., the sealed concrete and refuse filled containers) that are located on top of the storage platform 1 may be filled with concrete or other suitable material (e.g., by casting).
  • the concrete monoliths can be placed in any desired distance one from the other (as set and forced by the formation of the alignment elements), and filling material (such as concrete) can be placed between them, on top of them and beneath the created gap between the bottom of the monolith and the storage platform 1, in uniform manner; thus creating a designed strengthening of the resultant meta-structure (e.g. in cases of cracks developing in individual containers or in the meta-structure).
  • the alignment element 17 located on to of the second cover 13 of concrete monolith 10 generates an option to place another layer of concrete monoliths on top of the first layer and in the same manner, as the a plurality of concrete monolith creates an additional storage platform.
  • meta-structures form a monolith structure which better utilize the area allocated for the disposal site, as each concrete monolith 10 is accurately positioned on top of the storage platform 1.
  • Another advantage of the method and structure suggested by the present invention is that there is no need to build complicated structures with delimitation walls for each concrete monolith, but a simple platform with protrusions and/or apertures. This is a cost effective feature as it saves construction materials such as iron reinforcement rods, cable, wire mesh, or reinforced concrete columns.
  • the concrete monolith unit 10 further comprises guiding elements located on the outer side wall(s) of the container base member of the concrete monolith unit as indicated by the numerals 21 and 22.
  • the guiding elements can be in form of at least one protrusion member 21 located at a first outer side wall of the concrete monolith unit 10 and at least one corresponding hole located at a second outer wall of the concrete monolith unit 10.
  • the guiding elements 21 and 22 can be used for engaging between each two adjacent concrete monolith units, thereby allowing the creation of a wall-like structure made of a plurality of engaged concrete monolith units.
  • a sealant material can be added between each adjacent concrete monolith units of the wall-like structure, thereby creating a structure with enhanced sealed properties.
  • such a wall-like structure can be used as a surrounding wall for a waste pit in a disposal area, such that wall-like structure (depending on the height of the wall-like structure) increases the capacity of the storage pit.
  • the present invention is surprisingly simple and may be used to solve a double problem: it disposes of waste cleanly and effectively - at minimal construction cost and it saves disposal area.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a waste storage system, comprising: a) a platform which includes a base member having an essentially flat upper surface made of a plurality of strengthening members, wherein said base member includes a plurality of groups of alignment elements deployed on its upper surface, wherein each group of alignment elements defines the location upon which a corresponding concrete monolith will be placed; b) a concrete monolith unit for storing waste, wherein said unit includes a container base member having lower alignment elements located at the outer surface of its bottom (i.e., at the lower end), wherein said lower alignment elements adapted to engage with the group of alignment elements of said platform; and c) a top covering member having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the concrete monolith unit is configured in such a manner that upon covering the upper end of said container base member with said top covering, an air gap is created between said container base member and the inner surface of said top covering member and wherein said air gap includes at least one outlet for allowing the indicating upon the completing of a sealing processes of said concrete monolith unit.

Description

WASTE STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SEALING
THEREOF
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of permanent waste storage. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for producing a permanent waste storage platform for efficiently deploying a plurality of concrete containers.
Background of the invention
Problems with waste disposal around the world are increasingly troublesome. World population produces garbage in large and increasing quantities. There are well known methods for dumping garbage into the earth. These methods require a relatively large disposal site. More particularly, the development of effective methods for the long term disposal of radioactive and/or hazardous wastes in an efficient and economic manner has proven to be a challenging problem. A variety of unfavorable characteristics present in these wastes dictate the use of solutions and methods which insure the effective isolation of these wastes from the environment for long periods of time for health and safety reasons. These characteristics include, but are not limited to, toxicity and radioactivity. Other characteristics which may be present in these wastes, such as corrosiveness, rule out many potential disposal schemes as viable, long term solutions.
A large disposal site, consisting of a trench or excavation, will typically be sequentially filled with many, separately fabricated concrete monoliths repetitively formed in the same box-like manner and using common walls, thereby forming a single, large monolith. The thus formed monolith is then covered with barriers as specified in applicable laws, rules and regulations, and buried. This method of forming a series of boxes, each with an open end, loading the waste into the box, and then fabricating a form to construct a closed end, and then filling the thus formed concrete box with concrete, represents the current state of the art method for containing wastes in concrete monoliths which is allowed under current laws, rules and regulations.
However, this state of the art method poses several drawbacks which add to the overall cost and inefficiency of the process. For example, inaccurate placement of such boxes in the disposal site results in lost of significant ground the area allocated for such disposal site is very limited.
Moreover, usually it is required to build a complicated infrastructure that includes a plurality of compartments, each for accommodating a single container or monolith.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved method for providing waste storage platform and for forming corresponding concrete monoliths containing hazardous and/or radioactive wastes which allows efficient deployment of such concrete monoliths.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to a waste storage system, comprising: a) a platform which includes a base member having an essentially flat upper surface made of a plurality of strengthening members, wherein said base member includes a plurality of groups of alignment elements deployed on its upper surface, wherein each group of alignment elements defines the location upon which a corresponding concrete monolith will be placed; b) a concrete monolith unit for storing waste, wherein said unit includes a container base member having lower alignment elements located at the outer surface of its bottom (i.e., at the lower end), wherein said lower alignment elements adapted to engage with the group of alignment elements of said platform; and c) a top covering member having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the concrete monolith unit is configured in such a manner that upon covering the upper end of said container base member with said top covering, an air gap is created between said container base member and the inner surface of said top covering member and wherein said air gap includes at least one outlet for allowing the indicating upon the completing of a sealing processes of said concrete monolith unit.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the top covering member having upper alignment elements located on top of its outer surface for allowing the placement of an additional concrete monolith unit in an alignment manner on top of the outer surface of said top covering member, such that one concrete monolith unit will be located above the other, and thereby resulting in an expanded storage capabilities of the waste storage site in a disposal area.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the concrete monolith unit includes an inner vessel for accommodating the waste.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the concrete monolith unit further comprises guiding elements located on the outer side wall(s) of the container base member of each concrete monolith unit and which adapted for engaging between each two adjacent concrete monolith units, thereby allowing the creation of a wall made of a plurality of engaged concrete monolith units. For example, the guiding elements can be in form of at least one protrusion member located at a first outer side wall of a first concrete monolith unit and at least one corresponding hole located at first outer wall of a second concrete monolith unit.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for indication upon the completing of a sealing process of a concrete monolith unit, comprising the steps of: generating an air gap between a container base member of the monolith unit and its top covering member, for allowing the injection of a sealant material through an opening in said gap, wherein said air gap includes at least one outlet for indicating upon completing of the injected sealant process, as the sealant removes the air from the gap when it reaches said outlet.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises providing detection means for indicating whenever the sealant reaches the outlet. According to an embodiment of the invention, the detection means are an air pressure mechanism, colored air, or any other method suitable to indicate that the air from gap has been removed.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In the drawings:
- Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an isometric view of a storage platform 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a top view of the storage platform 1;
- Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a concrete monolith unit provided with alignment elements, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 4 schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view, the engagement between the concrete monolith of Fig. 3 and the storage platform of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a concrete monolith unit provided with guiding elements for engaging between two adjacent concrete monolith units, according to an embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Throughout this description the term "concrete monolith" is used to indicate an essentially quadrilateral container adapted to hold refuse material. This term does not imply any particular shape, construction material or geometry, and invention is applicable to all suitable containers.
In the context of the present invention "refuse" relates to domestic waste products, industrial process waste material, and municipal garbage. This refuse may also be toxic or hazardous waste, raw untreated garbage, incinerator ash, pulverized rubbish, or compacted trash.
In the context of the present invention "strengthening members" relates to iron reinforcement rods, cable, wire mesh, or reinforced concrete columns. Furthermore according to the preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention the strengthening members are anodized, coated with plastic, or covered with a means for protecting against corrosion.
Reference will now be made to several embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.
Figs. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a storage platform 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The storage platform 1 comprises a base member 4 having an essentially flat surface and is made of a plurality of strengthening members. The base member 4 includes a plurality of groups of alignment elements 2 deployed on its upper surface. Each group of alignment elements 2 defines the location upon which a corresponding concrete monolith unit will be placed (e.g., an allocated area for a single concrete monolith is indicated by numeral 3). Each group of such alignment elements allows to accurately positioning a concrete monolith unit (that is provided with corresponding alignment elements on its bottom) on top of the upper surface of the base member 4.
According to an embodiment of the invention, each alignment element is made of rigid material and having a pin-like form (e.g., a metal pin or other rigid and protrusion unit). For example, as shown in the figures, each group includes four pin-like units of such alignment elements 2 which are deployed in a quadrilateral formation. This requires that the bottom surface of the concrete monolith will have a formation that can be easily engaged with a group of alignment elements 2. In such case, the bottom surface of the monolith will have at least four holes (or other sort of apertures) that are respectively deployed and shaped with the formation of the group of alignment elements 2.
In case the length of the pin-like unit is longer then the depth of the corresponding hole in the bottom surface of the monolith, a gap will be created when placing the monolith on top of the storage platform 1. This allows adjusting the gap between the storage platform 1 and monolith. This gap can be filled when casting concrete and its thickness is directly related to the height of the gap (the concrete casting is described in further details hereinafter).
The alignment elements 2 can be sort of protrusion elements (as clearly shown in Fig. 1), apertures (not shown) or combination thereof (not shown). For example, in case each of the alignment elements 2 is in the form of a protrusion element (e.g., a pin), the corresponding alignment elements at the bottom of the concrete monolith should be in the form of apertures that will fit the form of the protrusion element. This allows to easily engaging between the concrete monolith and the storage platform 1 (as shown in Fig. 4 with respect to alignment elements 2 of the storage platform 1 and the corresponding alignment elements 16 of a concrete monolith 10).
Fig. 3 shows a cross section view of a concrete monolith unit that can be used in conjunction with the invention. The concrete monolith unit illustrated in this figure is particularly convenient because it can be accurately placed on the storage platform of the present invention. The concrete monolith unit generally indicated by numeral 10 in the figure comprises a base member 11 made of concrete and having lower alignment elements located on its bottom (indicated by numeral 16), a first covering member 12 (optional), a second covering member 13 (i.e., a top covering) having upper alignment elements located on its top (indicated by numeral 17) and an inner vessel 14.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the method for producing a concrete container for permanent waste storage according to the present invention comprises: (a) casting a base member from concrete; (b) placing an inner vessel inside the inner space of said base member ; (c) placing compressed refuse onto or into the inner vessel; (d) (optionally) attaching a first covering member to the inner vessel; (e) attaching a second covering member on top of said first covering member; and (f) remotely sealing the refuse therein with injected sealant.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first covering member is cast from metal and the second covering member is cast from concrete. According to other embodiments of the present invention the second covering member may be made from any permanent attachable material. The first covering member is attached to the base member. The second covering member is simultaneously cast (e.g., from concrete - in place) and attached on top of the first covering member for providing better sealing properties by generating pressure on the first covering member. The refuse (or the package or packages thereof) may contain a plurality of strengthening members. This serves to increase the load bearing capacity of the resultant concrete monolith - and this is advantageous when these concrete monoliths are used as building elements (as will be subsequently discussed). For example, the refuse can be compressed into the inner vessel 14. The shape of the packaged refuse is approximately identical to the shape of the volume of the interior of the inner vessel 14. The inner vessel 14 is in the shape of a cube, a rectangular box, a partial sphere, a cylinder, an obelisk or any other suitable form. Furthermore, the first covering member is square, circular, or rectangular.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the second covering member 13 generates an air gap between the base member 11 and the first covering member 12 (the opening of the air gap is indicated by numeral 15 in Fig. 3), for allowing the injection of a sealant material between them, in order to increase the sealing of the concrete monolith. This air gap 15 includes at least one outlet (indicated by numeral 18 in Fig. 3), for indicating upon completing of the injected sealant process, as the sealant removes the air from the gap (from outlet 18) until it reaches outlet 18. This can be used as an indication of completing the sealant injection process. For example, in case the sealant is done remotely (e.g., by controlling a dedicated sealant injection mechanism), a video camera or other monitoring means can be used detect whenever the sealant reaches the outlet 18, air pressure mechanism, colored air, or any other method suitable to indicate that the air from gap 15 has been removed. The method of indication the completing of the injected sealant process can be used with any type of monolith or container, either with alignment elements on its top and bottom or without them.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the second covering member 13 and/or the inner wall of the base member 11 further comprises one or more slits or wider aperture(s) as indicated by numeral 20. Such slits are also filled with the sealant material, for better strengthening the connection between the covering 13 and the base member 11, as this generates an anchoring effect with the sealant material.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the second covering member 13 (i.e., the covering member) is cast by providing concrete onto the covered inner vessel 14 (which has been placed onto the base member 11 and cover by the first cover 12), and by optionally generating the air gap 15 and its outlet 18.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, further comprises using a plurality of such concrete monolith units as building elements for constructing meta-structures on top of the storage platform 1. According to the present invention the method for constructing these meta-structures is comprised of stacking, arranging, attaching or scattering a plurality of these building elements in a predetermined pattern as defined and allocated fro each concrete monolith by the alignment elements formation of the storage platform 1.
The spaces between the concrete monolith (i.e., the sealed concrete and refuse filled containers) that are located on top of the storage platform 1 may be filled with concrete or other suitable material (e.g., by casting). For example, the concrete monoliths can be placed in any desired distance one from the other (as set and forced by the formation of the alignment elements), and filling material (such as concrete) can be placed between them, on top of them and beneath the created gap between the bottom of the monolith and the storage platform 1, in uniform manner; thus creating a designed strengthening of the resultant meta-structure (e.g. in cases of cracks developing in individual containers or in the meta-structure).
The alignment element 17 located on to of the second cover 13 of concrete monolith 10 generates an option to place another layer of concrete monoliths on top of the first layer and in the same manner, as the a plurality of concrete monolith creates an additional storage platform.
These meta-structures (of building elements) form a monolith structure which better utilize the area allocated for the disposal site, as each concrete monolith 10 is accurately positioned on top of the storage platform 1. Another advantage of the method and structure suggested by the present invention is that there is no need to build complicated structures with delimitation walls for each concrete monolith, but a simple platform with protrusions and/or apertures. This is a cost effective feature as it saves construction materials such as iron reinforcement rods, cable, wire mesh, or reinforced concrete columns.
Referring now to Fig. 5, according to an embodiment of the invention, the concrete monolith unit 10 further comprises guiding elements located on the outer side wall(s) of the container base member of the concrete monolith unit as indicated by the numerals 21 and 22. For example, the guiding elements can be in form of at least one protrusion member 21 located at a first outer side wall of the concrete monolith unit 10 and at least one corresponding hole located at a second outer wall of the concrete monolith unit 10.
The guiding elements 21 and 22 can be used for engaging between each two adjacent concrete monolith units, thereby allowing the creation of a wall-like structure made of a plurality of engaged concrete monolith units. According to an embodiment of the invention, a sealant material can be added between each adjacent concrete monolith units of the wall-like structure, thereby creating a structure with enhanced sealed properties. Moreover, such a wall-like structure can be used as a surrounding wall for a waste pit in a disposal area, such that wall-like structure (depending on the height of the wall-like structure) increases the capacity of the storage pit. The present invention is surprisingly simple and may be used to solve a double problem: it disposes of waste cleanly and effectively - at minimal construction cost and it saves disposal area.
The terms, "for example", "e.g.", "optionally", as used herein, are intended to be used to introduce non-limiting examples. While certain references are made to certain example system components, other components and can be used as well and/or the example components can be combined into fewer components and/or divided into further components.
While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried into practice with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Waste storage system, comprising:
a. a platform which includes a base member having an essentially flat upper surface made of a plurality of strengthening members, wherein said base member includes a plurality of groups of alignment elements deployed on its upper surface, wherein each group of alignment elements defines the location upon which a corresponding concrete monolith will be placed;
b. a concrete monolith unit for storing waste, wherein said unit includes a container base member having lower alignment elements located at the outer surface of its lower end, wherein said lower alignment elements adapted to engage with the group of alignment elements of said platform; and c. a top covering member having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the concrete monolith unit is configured in such a manner that upon covering the upper end of said container base member with said top covering, an air gap is created between said container base member and the inner surface of said top covering member and wherein said air gap includes at least one outlet for allowing the indicating upon the completing of a sealing processes of said concrete monolith unit.
2. Waste storage system according to claim 1, in which the top covering member having upper alignment elements located on top of its outer surface for allowing the placement of an additional concrete monolith unit in an alignment manner on top of the outer surface of said top covering member, such that one concrete monolith unit will be located above the other, and thereby resulting in an expanded storage capabilities of a waste storage site in a disposal area.
3. Waste storage system according to claim 1, in which the concrete monolith unit includes an inner vessel for accommodating the waste.
4. Waste storage system according to claim 1, in which the concrete monolith unit further comprises guiding elements located on the outer side wall(s) of the container base member of each concrete monolith unit and which adapted for engaging between each two adjacent concrete monolith units, thereby allowing the creation of a wall made of a plurality of engaged concrete monolith units.
5. Waste storage system according to claim 4, in which the guiding elements are in form of at least one protrusion member located at a first outer side wall of a first concrete monolith unit and at least one corresponding hole located at first outer wall of a second concrete monolith unit.
6. A method for indication upon the completing of a sealing process of a concrete monolith unit, comprising the steps of: generating an air gap between a container base member of the monolith unit and its top covering member, for allowing the injection of a sealant material through an opening in said gap, wherein said air gap includes at least one outlet for indicating upon completing of the injected sealant process, as the sealant removes the air from the gap when it reaches said outlet.
7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising providing detection means for indicating whenever the sealant reaches the outlet.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the detection means are an air pressure mechanism, colored air, or any other method suitable to indicate that the air from gap has been removed.
PCT/IL2013/050140 2012-02-15 2013-02-14 Waste storage system and method of sealing thereof WO2013121430A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US201261599070P 2012-02-15 2012-02-15
US61/599,070 2012-02-15

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4844840A (en) * 1987-08-14 1989-07-04 Bechtel Group, Inc. Method and structure for hazardous waste containment
US4996019A (en) * 1988-12-12 1991-02-26 Cogema Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires Storage container for radioactive waste
WO1997019871A1 (en) * 1995-11-29 1997-06-05 Pierre Edgard Van Dosselaere Method and containers for handling, processing and recycling waste
US7828496B1 (en) * 2008-04-30 2010-11-09 Terre Hill Silo Co., Inc Watertight joint seal for concrete structures

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4844840A (en) * 1987-08-14 1989-07-04 Bechtel Group, Inc. Method and structure for hazardous waste containment
US4996019A (en) * 1988-12-12 1991-02-26 Cogema Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires Storage container for radioactive waste
WO1997019871A1 (en) * 1995-11-29 1997-06-05 Pierre Edgard Van Dosselaere Method and containers for handling, processing and recycling waste
US7828496B1 (en) * 2008-04-30 2010-11-09 Terre Hill Silo Co., Inc Watertight joint seal for concrete structures

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