DRAINS & GREASE TRAPS
Fats, oils and greases (FOGs) are an inevitable part of food manufacture and food preparation.
During prep and wash-up warm water dilutes FOGS and these are then rinsed down the drains. Unless the FOGS are captured by in-line grease traps (fat traps), these flow into the drain system and then either cool and re-solidify in the pipework – eventually causing blockages – or they enter the municipal wastewater system.
Neither outcome is desirable. On the one hand, blockages can be messy and can cause odours and harmful bacteria to be released into the environment, severely disrupting operations. On the other, allowing FOGS to flow into the wastewater is illegal and damaging to the environment and establishments can face heavy fines.
By ensuring the proper deployment and use of grease traps, these problems can be avoided.
However, fat traps – precisely because they are designed to trap FOGS and prevent them flowing into the drain system – will eventually fill up with coagulated fats and food scraps and these need to be removed and safely disposed of.
As part of maintaining this environment, Vortech offers two distinct services; 1) fat trap clearing and maintenance and 2) bio-remediation treatments to help keep drains and fat traps clear between service intervals.
GREASE TRAP SERVICE
Vortech offers regular clearing and maintenance services for internal and external grease traps.
Once a month (or more frequently if need be) our teams arrive at client sites, vacuum up the congealed FOGs, empty the catchment baskets, clear the grey water and remove the dissolved fats before cleaning the grease traps.
Congealed and dissolved FOGs are removed from site and disposed of at carefully vetted recyclers that process these waste streams in an environmentally responsible manner.
Our services include regular staff training (including instruction on catchment basket clearing and waste disposal) and monthly reporting.
Emergency services are also available, including clearing associated floor drain blockages.
BIO-REMEDIATION
In recent years scientists have isolated beneficial bacteria and developed enzymes that essentially feed on fats, oils and greases. By introducing these bacteria and enzymes into fat traps, commercial kitchens can effectively control the build up of FOGS and in some cases even eliminate FOGS from fat traps altogether.
Using bacteria and enzymes to treat wastewater is sometimes referred to as bioremediation and is seen as an environmentally friendly alternative.
DOSING
Part of the science is to isolate beneficial bacteria that are not in any way harmful (think cheeses) and yet able and survive in the environment in which they are needed (fatty, soapy water). There are, however, limitations and cleaning chemicals and water flow will over time remove the bacteria and enzymes. For that reason, the bio-remediation treatments need to be re-applied regularly.
- The primary challenges for many of our clients are;
- Managing FOG levels in the fat traps between collection dates
- Dealing with the drain blockages and bad odours that result when FOGs Congeal and solidify in internal pipework and grease traps (fat traps)
- The expense of grease trap servicing and FOG disposal
- By regularly dosing sinks, drains and grease traps with Eco-Flush, beneficial bacteria go to work and breakdown the FOGS into water, carbon and oxygen.
The dissolved elements are then harmlessly carried away in the waste water system, without damage to equipment, pipework or the environment.
This means Fewer blockages, fewer expensive call outs, less bad odour and better hygiene standards. PLUS the avoidance of municipal fines!
WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ECO-FLUSH
Over a period of a few weeks, FOGS build up in the grease traps and unless they are regularly treated or emptied the accumulated FOGS are a risk to hygiene, result in drain blockages and cause bad odours.
- Certified as safe to use in food processing environments
- 100% natural and environmentally friendly
- Reduces blockages and expensive call-outs and repairs
- Improves hygiene and reduces odours that affect front-of-house
- Reduce (possibly even eliminate) grease trap pumping
- Eco Flush Bioremediation Agent
- Eco flush benefits
THINGS TO KNOW
- Eco-Flush is HACCP compliant, safe to use in direct food contact applications, is
non-toxic and safe to touch - Simply add cold/lukewarm water to dilute and then rinse away
- Drains and grease trap dosing are best done daily and at the end of shift
- Care should be taken to avoid introducing harsh chemical agents (especially floor
cleaner) immediately after dosing - Overflowing grease traps will allow FOGS to enter the municipal waste water
system and can be detected by monitoring COD and BOD levels - High COD and BOD levels impact waste water treatment plants and cause
damage to the environment - Non-compliance with municipal by-laws can result in significant fines
