Grease interceptor

Grease separators separate fats and oils from wastewater. The fat- and oil-based dirt and rinse water from kitchens of restaurants, hotels or caterers must be disposed of through a grease trap. Grease separator cleaned before commercial wastewater before the water flows into drains.

Function

Most grease traps work on the principle of phase separation and are constructed of a fat collector, a sludge trap and an apparatus for taking samples. In the complex reduces the flow rate of the effluent. The settling and solids ( food scraps ) sink to the bottom and settle in the sludge trap. Fat floats due to its lower density, collects at the surface and can be removed. The oil-and fat -free waste water flows into the sewer.

In wastewater emulsified fats and oils ( emulsion) pass through a grease trap, which operates solely on the principle of gravity, mostly unhindered. Especially in industrial enterprises and regions where low effluent limits for oils and fats are required, an advanced wastewater treatment behind the grease trap is required. Conventional grease traps can not reach the required limit values ​​here. Through the use of a flotation plant, the limits can be less durable and secure.

There are grease traps for the underground installation and equipment, which are placed freely. Grease separator for underground installation shall be installed outside of buildings near the site of accumulation of dirty water, at a location that is easily accessible for disposal vehicles. Free-standing grease separators must be in frost-free areas. Grease traps that are built below the backflow level must be ( with backflow loop ) connected with a lifting system to the sewer system. The installation of grease traps is subject to approval. For grease separator, a separate vent pipe is required. Mobile erected grease separator are approved only for temporary structures such as mobile stalls or at festivals.

The preparation of the grease separator systems in rooms where food is prepared, is not permitted for hygiene reasons.

The nominal size (NS) a Fettabscheideanlage depends on the amount of the accumulated dirty water and is measured in liters per second. Example: For a sink NS with the calculation of sewage collection points a grease trap of size 2 is required. If, in addition to the existing sink or a dishwasher is connected to a grease trap size NS 4 is required.

Complete or partial disposal

Complete Disposal: Classical grease trap must be at least every four weeks completely emptied by a waste management company, cleaned and then refilled with fresh water. Modern grease separators have a fixed connection for the discharge line. The cable is permanently installed inside the building and ends with a clutch on the outside of the building. Usually the clutch is housed together with a remote control in a surface-or flush-mounting box, with fully automatic grease trap disposal is automated. The fat separator can be as inconspicuous picked up by a tanker truck.

Partial disposal: There is also grease traps, where grease and sludge separated in handy plastic barrels and then discarded. The operator may dispose of the collection barrels with the concentrated waste materials as needed yourself. Due to the need for proper disposal operating costs are generally lower than with complete removal by tanker. In addition, the amount of Entsorgungsguts is reduced in this method compared to the complete disposal to around ten percent. The disposal of fats and solids can occur at grease traps with partial disposal directly via a connection to a central wet waste disposal. Here, the separated substances are sucked together with other food waste into a central collection container and disposed of there regularly.

Statutory regulations

The use of grease separator is governed by the standards DIN EN 1825-1 and DIN EN 1825-2 and DIN 4040-100 the National Annex. It applies to businesses with commercial food distribution such as restaurants, hotels, canteens and snack bars, in which accumulates fat -containing wastewater.

This provision is found in the waste water regulations of municipalities, set the rules for the use of drains. For the water discharged into the public sewage systems locally different rules apply.

In industrial food processors ( dairies, cheese, fish processing, Spülbetriebe, kitchen waste - treatment plants ) waste water that with a high proportion of emulsified fats / oils. This wastewater is treated not always effective in grease separator according to the principle of gravity. A more advanced treatment may be necessary.