THE

GREASE TRAP

ARC140 - A69 CELIZ, JULES MELVIN R. BUILDING UTIILITIES 1

OVERVIEW Grease traps or grease inceptors have been in use since
the Victorian era. Nathaniel Whiting received the first
patent for a modern grease trap in the late 1800s.
Grease traps come in a variety of sizes, with smaller models made to
connect individual sinks and larger models made to serve larger
facilities.
“a trap in a drain or waste pipe to prevent grease from entering a
sanitary sewer lines and system” is the definition of a grease trap.

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HOW DOES IT WORK?
The most basic way a grease trap or grease
inceptor works is by cooling greasy water that is
either hot or warm. A grease trap can use water
to separate the various waste layers by letting
the fat, grease, and oil (FOG) cool.
FOG have a lower density and float at the
surface of the tanks. The cooled water continues
to drain to the sewer system without the FOG.
The grease trap then catches FOG that float to
the top of the water.When the sludge level
reaches 25% of the tank's depth, the grease trap
or grease inceptor should be emptied to ensure
its effective use.
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Gravity and time are used more frequently by the larger "gravity"
or "passive" traps to separate FOG. Standpipes, internal baffling,
and larger tank sizes increase the "retention time" of these
passive grease traps/grease inceptors, allowing gravity to work
its magic. regular intervals, professional assistance should be
sought.

The wastewater entering the grease trap should be controlled by

control devices that permit air mixing at this stage in order to
maximize FOG separation from effluents.

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A hydro-mechanical grease interceptor ought to be used instead
for smaller indoor models. By lengthening the circulation path
and maximizing the flow rate, the interceptor's traps make use of
internal baffles, which provide more space and time for
separation.

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GREASE TRAP SIZING

Obviously, a grease trap's size is the most important factor for a

business to consider. This is connected to the rating that hydro-
mechanical interceptors have in terms of the maximum drainage
rate that is permissible, expressed as gallons per minute
(GPM).Naturally, hydro-mechanical receptors can only handle
100 gallons per minute, so gravity receptors should handle
anything more.

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The following factors affect the size of the
grease trap or interceptor:

-Sizing in accordance with Drain Fixture Unit

(DFU) values
-Sizing in accordance with the volume of total
flowing fixtures.
-Sizing in accordance with the waste pipe's
diameter To this end, it becomes necessary to
work with a manufacturer that offers charts with
GPM flowing listing based on the pipe's
diameter.

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 BENEFITS OF USING GREASE TRAPS
STOP FOG
If FOG is allowed to enter the sewer system, it can accumulate in large quantities and grow,
resulting in "fatbergs" beneath cities that cause significant plumbing issues.However, the
FOG can be collected in time to prevent this threat from growing beneath the streets if
everyone's grease traps are working.

HELP OUT THE ENVIRONMENT

If allowed to enter waterways, it may also be harmful to the environment.If grease traps do not
collect FOG, it could end up in rivers and streams, where it could contaminate the water and
make it unsafe to drink it. Animals that live in these environments may also be put in danger as a
result. This FOG would continue unimpeded into water catchment areas without grease traps,
preventing us from repurposing it for environmental benefit.

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 HOW OFTEN DO YOU CLEAN GREASE TRAPS?
A thick layer of water is required for grease traps and grease inceptors to function
properly.To this end, a grease trap should be emptied as soon as the food layers and
grease take up 25% of its space.

But it still depends on how the grease traps are frequentlly used:

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 HOW OFTEN THE GREASE TRAP IS BEING CLEANED
Good grease trap cleaning procedures are essential if you want to reduce the amount of FOG
that goes down the drain.Before washing dishes, they should be scraped.As a result, there will
be less food and grease (FOG) flushed down the drain.Again, high-fat liquids and fryer oils
should never be poured down the drain, even with water, because doing so will increase the
need for grease recovery.

THE TYPE OF FOOD

The frequency of waste pumping increases with grease content.Frequency increases when
frostings, sauces, meats, salad dressing, and butter oils are wasted.

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 THE AMOUNT OF FOOD
Busy establishments lead to more waste products being washed down the drains. For this reason,
busy seasons mean a higher pump frequency. Needless to say, busy season isn’t a convenient
time for having your business and commercial kitchen flooded.

THE TRAP SIZE

It should come as no surprise that the frequency with which the grease inceptors or grease traps
must be pumped increases with their size.

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 REFERENCE

https://www.grease-cycle.com/blog2/how-does-a-grease-trap-work/
https://choosesq.com/blog/benefits-grease-trap-for-business/
https://brandfuge.com/what-is-a-grease-trap-and-how-does-it-work/
https://info.mechline.com/grease-traps-for-commercial-kitchens