Grease and fat are a major problem in the UK, with over half a million tons entering the sewerage system every year. As grease can stick to pipes and drainage systems, it can lead to blockages, damage, and environmental problems; in turn, this can result in costly repair bills. There are methods to deal with waste fats, oils and grease (FOG) products, so let’s explore what a grease trap is and how it works.
What is a grease trap and where are they used?
A grease trap is a specially designed receptacle that is usually placed under a sink so that wastewater containing FOG products can flow through it before it reaches the drainage system. The grease trap is designed to trap or capture the FOG products and let the clean water proceed to the pipes and sewers.
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How do grease traps work?
The basis of a grease trap is that grease is up to 15% less dense than water. Grease is also unable to mix with water, so the fat and oil float to the surface in an oily film. When wastewater containing FOG products enters a grease trap, the wastewater is cooled enough to separate into three different layers.
The grease should rise to the top and get trapped, any solids sink to the bottom, and the clean water is allowed to flow through the system. Some grease traps also have a strainer in place to collect any solid material so that it can be caught before it reaches the bottom. The trap must be cleaned on a regular basis; otherwise, the FOG products can back up and come back through the inlet pipe or escape into the clean water.
