Grease Reduction Case Study
Facility: Correctional Center, Ok
Inmate Population 340
Operation:
This facility has a grease dump outside the mess hall to eliminate grease going through the wastewater pipes. However, large amounts of grease were continuously going through the wastewater system.
Problem:
There were several problems relating to grease in this system. First, there were several backups, or clogs, due to grease, which occurred at all times of the day or night. These were more frequent during the winter months, and several times pipes burst and had to be replaced.
Secondly, the manhole outside one of the kitchens had a 2 foot buildup of grease. The maintenance man in charge has been there 5 years and has never been able to see the water flow at the bottom.
Thirdly, all manholes from the mess hall to the lift station were coated with grease and had a substantial buildup. The floats at the lift station and inside walls were coated with grease.
Treatment:
The initial treatment was started in July 1993 and consisted of 35 gallons of Mega-Bac X. This was divided between the two mess halls. Pumps were set up to pump in 9.9 oz./day at the smaller kitchen and 23.1 oz./day at the main kitchen.
Summary:
After 45 days of treatment, the grease buildup was gone from the lift stations and tops of the manholes. There was a large hole through the buildup in the problem manhole that showed the pipe and water flow at the bottom. After 60 days, all of the grease buildup was gone. Since the 2nd month of treatment, there has not been one backup or clog due to grease from either kitchen.