Grease traps for sewage are devices that prevent oil from entering sewage treatment plants and pipelines. The principle of operation is based on the separation of liquid and fat. This is facilitated by the specific gravity of deposits, which has a lower mass than water. Fatty particles appear on the surface and are trapped by traps designed for this. After that, already cleaned liquids get into the sewer.
Kinds
Where are sewer grease traps used? For a restaurant, for example, this is an indispensable thing. They are also used for industrial enterprises where there is a discharge of undissolved particles. The main purpose of the application is to protect the pipeline from deposits that can lead to breakage.
Devices are divided conditionally by:
- to manufacturers;
- parameters of use;
- installation method;
- used for the manufacture of materials.
Modern separators are made of stainless steel, fiberglass and plastic. The last option most often has a grease trap for drainage from the dining room. This is due to many positive aspects:
- The ability to create both standard devices and according to specific requirements of customers (throughput characteristics, dimensions and shapes).
- Ease of operation. After installation, only periodic cleaning of deposits is required, which is carried out using improvised means.
- The sewer grease trap made of plastic is perfect for cafes and restaurants with low bandwidth.
- Environmental friendliness. The plastic used does not harm the environment and health.
- Long life span of up to 30 years.
Fiberglass grease traps
The choice of materials is determined by the main characteristics of the operation of the device. Industrial-made devices are made of fiberglass. This material is more resistant to the intense influence of a chemical aggressive environment. Such separators are installed both on the street and in the room itself. The enclosure is not exposed to various atmospheric conditions. The devices have sufficient reliability, low weight and easy to clean surface.
Steel separators
Grease traps for stainless steel sewers are rational to use in large enterprises, since the distinguishing feature of such devices is their high cost. But the high cost is quite justified due to the presence of improved characteristics compared to other types.
The material is characterized by high anti-corrosion properties, which makes it possible to use both indoors and outdoors. Moreover, in the first case, the device looks like an addition to the surrounding interior.
Many separator companies sell galvanized steel products. Such options do not have the advantages of stainless and cost much less.
Installation of grease traps on the sewer
In the building, appliances are installed in a separate room, in a basement or under a sink at floor level or with a slight indentation. In order to properly operate outdoor devices and prevent all kinds of problems for installation, it is necessary to carry out earthwork, concreting a solid and even plane. The best option is to install professional masters.
To increase the service life, additional elements are used, for example, sediment accumulation sensors.
The most difficult task is to cleanse, but due to the parameters of the system, it is rarely needed.
Before mounting under the sink, accurate measurements of the space are required to accommodate the device. Given the fact that cabinets and other types of furniture are used in this place, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that there was no more than 3-4 cm of free space between the walls of the furniture and the grease trap to ensure efficient operation and unhindered access during preventive and repair maintenance.
Important details
Particularly noteworthy is the observance of the established fire safety rules, among which there is a ban on the installation of structures near equipment that is lightweight.
After completion of all work, a test of the finished unit is carried out, due to which it is possible to determine the place of potential leakage. At unreliable joints at the points of connection to the sewer system and the sink, the probability of leaks most often occurs. The quality of the seal increases with the use of sealing tapes and silicone type grease. The complete set of the device includes fasteners, fittings and other necessary details, but in some cases they need to be bought separately. The documentation that accompanies the selected item contains all the necessary information for installing the grease trap.
Parameters
Grease traps for a restaurant can have different capacities and capacities. The performance indicator of household devices reaches 2 l / s. Other devices with increased characteristics are industrial.
There are several cleaning methods, it is worth highlighting the automatic and manual options:
- Manual separators will have to be monitored on their own. Cleaning is carried out using special means to get rid of fat.
- Devices cleaned with special machines or pumps. This type of device most often has automated functions that alert you when maintenance work is due. Such properties are street grease traps for sewage and industrial grease trap with a large coefficient of efficiency.
Is it possible to do it yourself?
To make a grease trap for sewers with your own hands, you do not need special materials and knowledge. Polypropylene sheet is used as the main element ; parts of the desired size are cut out of it, welded and sealed with a thermo gun.
Grease traps of own or factory production have their own advantages and disadvantages. In any case, such a simple device requires proper care, so you can avoid the growth of deposits on the pipes and clogging of the sink.
It is also possible to create a grease trap using a plastic finished box. Holes are formed in it for the installation of branch pipes, a partition is mounted inside, as well as holes for draining grease and ventilation equipment. Ensuring the tightness of each structural element is the main task in the manufacture, otherwise there may be a flood in the kitchen. Below is a diagram of a grease trap for sewage of the simplest type.
What are fat traps for?
In the wastewater of the food industry, catering and residential buildings there is a large amount of fat fractions. Grease traps for sewage are used to trap fat elements that are located in the drains. The functions of such devices are as follows:
- Maintaining compliance of wastewater saturation with fat fractions with the norms established by sanitary special requirements.
- Identification, collection and separation of fatty substances and oils for further processing. Thus, it is possible to create a valuable raw material product for technical purposes.
- Prevention of mineral oil and fat from entering sewage treatment plants.
Taking into account the specifics of working production, discharges from some machine-building enterprises, food and canning factories, from meat plants and canteens have a high level of saturation with oils and fats. Sewerage systems of residential buildings do not lag behind them and remove a lot of domestic oily drains.
People who have an autonomous sewer in a country house also have to deal with blockages when discharging wastewater. This is facilitated by the underestimation of the total amount of fatty substances that enter the sewers and affect the throughput characteristics of the pipeline.
Most common models
The grease trap PE-0.5 of the Standard series is used for domestic needs and for ensuring the operation of public catering facilities. The body of the product is made of polypropylene, thereby increasing its durability and quality. According to customer reviews, such a grease trap is convenient to use in a limited space. Ease of use of the equipment increases due to compact dimensions and versatility of use.
The grease trap PE-1,0 of the Profi series is used for installation under the sink or in close proximity to it. It has a peak discharge in the range from 60 to 90 liters. Based on customer reviews, it is worth noting a removable restrictor for a uniform, controlled flow of incoming fluid. But not everyone is satisfied with the operation, in particular cleaning, since fat masses are removed from the structure only by manual method.
Grease trap "Termite 0.5-1.5" can be used to prevent clogging of sewers both in cafes and in everyday life. The mass of the unit is 7 kg, and the height of the outlet and entrance is 22 and 24 cm, respectively. Most customers who choose this model noted the ease of installation and performance. Many have paid particular attention to the robust design with high-quality installation elements.