WO2013121370A2 - System and method for quantifying waste - Google Patents

Description

 DESCRIPTION

 "WASTE QUANTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD"

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a Waste Quantification System whose main features include collection in a container containing the waste (s). The container upon entering the Waste Management System is identified allowing the waste manager to obtain information about the waste producer, date of collection and quantity, or estimation of quantity, volume or weight. The collected data is further processed, allowing the creation of a history. The track record enables the waste manager to be monitored and supported in defining strategies for reducing, relocating or reusing waste generated.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a Waste Quantification System as well as a process of processing and processing the data acquired in that System.

The Waste Quantification System, which includes the whole process of processing and processing data, consists of:

- Container (1) to deposit the waste (urban solid, undifferentiated or reclaimed, or other). The container contains a user identification system (4) composed of an RFID tag. radio frequency), or other identification system. The container is intended to be placed in a container (2).

- Antenna (RFID, or other identification system) (5) placed on the waste collection truck reading containers entering the truck.

 - Data recording and storage system (6).

 - Wireless communication antenna (7).

 - Wireless receiving antenna (9).

 - Server for data storage and processing (8).

- Database (10).

 - Analytical Waste Information System (11).

 - Reporting system of processed data.

Thus, the present invention is useful for monitoring waste production over time, creating a production history, and subsequently allowing the producer to monitor his behavior, inducing him to reduce, relocate or reuse the waste. generated waste, which can be applied in urban or non-urban areas, domestic or non-domestic, being essentially inserted in the area of Waste Management in general, with applications, among others, to the area of Urban Solid Waste, either recoverable or non-recoverable. .

Monitoring, collection, data processing and follow-up is intended to properly allocate waste to the producer, avoiding unnecessary costs to the Waste Management System (entity or entities responsible for waste collection and treatment). It is the object of the present invention to collect information that enables the creation of a waste production history, enabling the waste producer to be assisted in reducing, relocating or reusing the waste generated.

The present invention is also useful for reducing the costs of the Waste Management System. The current Waste Management System is segmented by type of waste but it can be seen that around 70% of common waste in landfills should be being recycled through other waste segments. This high percentage entails transportation and treatment costs that could generate revenue for the system. Beyond the financial component, there is a question of sustainability; Current landfills were projected to have a lifespan of approximately fifteen (15) to twenty (20) years but current estimates point to a reduction in lifespan to seven (7) due to the high amount of waste deposited there. Although there are several awareness campaigns, the percentage of waste with recovery potential deposited on undifferentiated waste is still high, which demonstrates the need to support the waste producer in closer proximity.

The present invention aims to accompany and monitor the waste producer, treat the generated information and send feedback to the Waste Management System. The generated information allows to create an information history and to follow up the waste producer.

The advantages of the invention are therefore the reduction of costs for the Waste Management System, the increase of the landfill life through the proper disposal of the waste. waste to the correct segments by the waste producer, generating greater awareness among the population, generating information and feedback to the Waste Management System Manager.

Background of the Invention

The results of mass sensitization campaigns have had some effect but the percentage of recoverable waste in the common landfill still exceeds 50%. In order to decrease this value it is necessary to develop new ways of encouraging the separation of potentially valuable waste.

Current models of awareness, supported by mass communication programs, will tend to become individual communication systems, tailoring the message to each recipient (or group of recipients), which allows to influence the production and selective disposal of waste, looking for greater effectiveness.

In order to tailor the message to the recipient, it is necessary to understand its behavior and therefore monitor its waste production as well as its evolution over time. The message content has to be adapted to the behavior of the recipient / producer over time.

To follow up each producer typically a family, housing, business, etc. - Several tools are available, each with advantages and disadvantages. Description of existing monitoring models:

1) Identification of the entity (person, family, or other) from a card (magnetic or radio frequency identification - RFID)

This model installs card reading systems next to a waste container forcing the user to identify himself each time he wants to deposit his waste. Although the model allows identifying the user, it does not allow quantifying the amount of waste produced by each entity.

This system leads to the need to replace existing containers (which are around a few thousand units) requiring heavy investment. The risk of vandalism is also high which makes investing in this model less attractive.

2) Scale system

The balance system installs a balance on the waste collection vehicle. This system makes it possible to quantify the waste produced per container but does not disaggregate the amount of waste produced per entity. The scale system also has the drawback that it is generally a mechanical system that is subject to the corrosive liquids produced by the waste (leachate). 3) Door-to-door

System in which the waste bag has a bar code or other identification system and is read by hand and bag by bag by an operator during collection. Although this system is practicable in sparsely populated areas, it has a number of drawbacks in sparsely populated regions - such as cities - wherever waste bags have to be on public roads (which is a health hazard). public and becomes unsightly) or because it takes a large amount of time for the waste collector to become impractical.

GB2449710A describes a system wherein the waste producer purchases RFID tags from authorized agents and places them in their bags or containers. The reading of these bags can only be performed manually by an operator and thus constitutes a door-to-door system. In the present invention the bags are provided to the user with the identification system positioned where the reading is optimized and read automatically upon entering the container into the truck, without the drawbacks listed above in the door-to-door collection system.

WO2007136443A2 which relates to a route and asset management and optimization system where an RFID tag is placed on the waste container and the truck has the ability to identify each asset and its location via GPS and then seek to optimize routes. The present invention is not intended for route optimization, does not use GPS and the RFID tag is placed on the container where waste is placed and not in the waste container.

None of the above mentioned systems allow, in an economically viable way, to correlate the production of municipal solid waste (undifferentiated and / or recoverable) with the producer. It is therefore advantageous to set up a new system.

The present invention is not intended to perform asset management (containers, e.g.) nor to optimize waste management routes, although it may do so.

The present invention relates to a waste management system which makes it possible to correlate, economically viable for collection and treatment system management entities, the relationship between producer and quantity of waste produced. The management system of the invention maintains the entire current waste collection system by introducing intelligence and feedback to its operating model.

The system generates information which, after processing, allows the communication and message to be given to each producer or producer group to be adapted.

This targeted awareness seeks to increase the separation of recoverable and undifferentiated waste, thereby increasing municipal revenues with the recoverable component of urban solid waste and reducing expenditure on waste without recovery potential. This system also intends to extend the life of existing landfills, postponing the construction of new landfills and consequently postpone investments. It also allows waste management and waste management systems to reduce waste collection and treatment costs and potentially increase revenues from recoverable waste. This system also has the potential to create adjusted tariffs for waste generation.

General Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a Waste Quantification System which enables the use of all components currently present in the Waste Management System (containers, trucks, landfills, etc.) adding intelligence to the method currently used.

The invention consists in the use of a container in which the waste is placed (bag, box or other) with an identification device (RFID or other) that is deposited in the waste container. During collection the waste containers are delivered to the truck (the containers return to their previous location as they do today). Upon entering the truck the container identification system is read and the identification information stored.

When the pickup truck returns to an established location, the stored information is downloaded to a database via wireless. The data stored in the database are further processed and processed in order to verify, among others, the evolution of the estimate of waste production (volume or weight). The evolution of production allows categorizing producers and enabling the creation of messages / targeted communication.

With the monitoring of waste production and communication directed to the waste producer, it is expected a reduction of recoverable waste in undifferentiated waste (which is disposed of in landfill, for example), reducing costs, increasing revenues and contributing to environmental sustainability. and economic of the Waste Management System.

The embodiments described are obviously combinable. Description of the Figures

For easier understanding of the invention, attached are the figures which represent preferred embodiments of the invention which, however, are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Figure 1: Schematic representation of receiving, by mail or door to door, a set of containers (1) for the producer to deposit their waste, sent by the entity responsible for the Waste Quantification System.

Figure 2: Schematic representation of the deposition of the containers (1). Waste disposal containers comprise a container identifier (4), for example RFID. When the container (1) is approximately full of waste, the producer deposits the container (1) in the waste container (2). Figure 3: Schematic representation of container collection (1). The waste collection truck (3), by unloading the container (2) into it, causes the container identification system (4) to be read by the identification system (5) in the truck. The read data is stored in the data repository (6) until the truck arrives at the predetermined location (garage or other), where the data is downloaded via an antenna (7) located on the truck. At the established location, the server (8) extracts the data through the receiving antenna (9) to the database (10), and then analyzes the data in the analytical information system (11).

Detailed Description of the Invention

The waste producer receives from the entity responsible for the Waste Quantification System by mail or door to door a set of containers (1) for depositing his waste, which comprises a container identification system (4), for example RFID.

When the container (1) is approximately full of waste, the producer deposits the container (1) in the waste container (2). The waste collection truck (3), by unloading the container (2) into it, causes the container identification system (4) to be read by the identification system (5) in the truck. The read data is stored in the data repository (6) until the truck arrives at the predetermined location (garage or other), where the data is downloaded via an antenna (7) located at truck. Collection can obviously be carried out by means of transport other than lorry, road or not.

At the established location, the server (8) extracts the data through the receiving antenna (9) to the database (10), and then analyzes the data in the analytical information system (11).

The computerization of the information further allows that after a percentage of the containers (1) sent by the entity responsible for the Waste Quantification System to the waste producer have entered the database, a new set of containers (1) is resubmitted.

In a preferred embodiment, the use of the Waste Quantification System is illustrated for the case of undifferentiated urban solid waste, which is destined for landfills.

The Waste producer receives from the entity responsible for the Waste Quantification System 10 (eg) bags with RFID tags. Each bag has normal and regular use like the bags that the waste producer currently uses.

When the bag is full, or near its maximum volume, it is deposited by the waste producer in the container for undifferentiated municipal solid waste (ordinary refuse). The municipal solid waste collection truck collects the contents of the container and the RFID tag bag is read as it passes through the collection truck's RFID antennas. The information that identifies the user of that bag (waste producer) is stored in computer memory placed in the truck.

After the waste is collected and disposed of in the landfill, the truck returns to the garage.

At a predetermined time on the server, or otherwise periodically or whenever the vehicle is in range for communication, there is a scan of the contents of all memories stored in the vehicles using wireless antennas. This information is downloaded to a database.

After downloading information a data processing and processing system preferably scrolls through all data and organizes the information by waste producer, bag volume, date of receipt of bag and how many bags are still held by the waste producer. If the number of bags is less than or equal to four (or another more convenient quantity), a new set of ten (or another more convenient quantity) RFID tagged bags are sent to the producer. waste.

The information treated over time allows the creation of a history by producer and the creation of targeted messages in order to influence the waste producer to separate the waste with potential for valorization (metals, paper, etc.) from the undifferentiated, without valuation potential.

The system may provide for the sending of pamphlet, letter or otherwise to a tier of a plurality of tiers of waste producers with information on waste generation and related information enabling the producer to be supported, sensitized and / or re-educated in the proper relocation of waste. The information will be sent with the set of containers and therefore the regularity will be dependent on the use of the respective containers.

The system may include computer access to the data processing platform by the waste producer to consult his waste production history.

The history and related information will be updated at the same time as the truck scan, and new producer information will only be available upon receipt of the container information from that producer.

The system may include access by the waste system manager of the aggregated and / or individualized waste history to the waste producers covered by each waste management manager.

The following claims further define preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. Waste quantification system comprising:  The. identification tag reader (5), identification tag (4) which are coupled to the collection containers (1) of said waste, and wherein said identification tag reader (5) is comprised in the vehicle collecting and transporting such waste;  B. data recorder and storage (6) comprised in the collection and transport vehicle of said waste, and connected to said identification tag reader (5);  ç. data communication antenna (7) comprised in the collection and transport vehicle of said waste, and connected to said data recorder and storage (6);  d. data receiving antenna (9) located at the base of waste collection and transport;  and. server for data storage and processing (8), located at the base of the waste collection and transport, and connected to said receiving antenna (9). System according to the preceding claim, wherein the identification tags (4) are tags, tags, RFID. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the identification tag (4) includes information on the identification of the waste producer. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the tag reader (5) of tag, tag, (4) is located at the waste collection entrance of the waste collection and transport vehicle. A system according to any preceding claim comprising an analysis module (11) of the information collected. Waste quantification method comprising the following steps:  The. reading identification tags wherein said identification tags (4) have been previously coupled to collection containers (1) of said waste, and said identification tags (4) being read by a tag reader (5) which is located on the vehicle collecting and transporting such waste;  B. recording and storing data (6) thus obtained from the identification labels (4) of the collection containers (1) as they are collected on said vehicle in the collection and transport of said waste; ç. transmitting said data via a data communication antenna (7) located on said waste collection and transport vehicle and connected to said data recorder and storage (6) when the collection and transport vehicle such waste passes through a waste collection and transport base;  d. receiving said data via a data receiving antenna (9) located on said waste collection and transport base;  and. storing and processing the received data (8) via a server located at the base of the waste collection and transport and connected to said receiving antenna (9). A method according to the preceding claim wherein the identification tags (4) are tags, tags, RFID. A method according to any one of claims 6 - 7 wherein the identification tags (4) comprise identification information of the waste producer. A method according to any one of claims 6 - 8 comprising the additional step of decrementing a counter for the number of collection containers (1) of said waste held by each waste producer by each corresponding identification tag (4) detected. A method according to the preceding claim comprising the additional step of triggering an order to send additional collection containers (1) when the counter for the number of collection containers (1) of said waste held by each waste producer , is less than a predetermined quantity. Method according to any one of claims 6 Wherein the selection of a step from a plurality of steps of waste collection quantities is made on the basis of the quantity of collection containers (1) detected by each waste producer in a predetermined period of time. Method according to any one of claims 6 - 10 wherein the choice of one step from a plurality of steps of waste collection quantities for each waste producer based on the amount of collection containers (1) detected by each waste producer over a predetermined period of time. A method according to the preceding claim wherein an action is taken whenever a given waste producer is found to have altered the level of waste collection he was in. A method according to any one of claims 6 - 13 comprising the step of triggering the sending of information, together with the sending of the collection containers (1), to a predefined echelon of a plurality of waste producer echelons, wherein the information includes information on the production of waste from each waste producer. Method according to any one of claims 6 - 14 which comprises the step of providing computer access to the data processing platform for each waste producer to consult their waste generation history. A method according to any one of claims 6 - 15 comprising the step of updating the history and information thereof at the same time as the waste collection vehicle scanners. Method according to any one of claims 6  16 comprising the step of providing computerized access to each waste system manager of the aggregated and / or individualized waste generation history of the waste producers covered by each waste management manager. A data processing system according to any one of claims 6 - 17 comprising the program execution means necessary to perform each of the steps of said method. Computer program according to any one of claims 6 - 17 comprising the appropriate program code for performing each of the steps of said method when said program is executed in a data processing system. Computer readable medium according to the preceding claim, wherein said computer program is incorporated.