THE BASICS OF FATS, OILS, AND GREASE (FOG) By: Thea Parslow, Senior Environmental Specialist City of Orlando City of Orlando Environmental Control Section Environmental Control Section

Definitions for FOG What are the components of FOG What are the components of FOG  Fats  Chains of fatty acids found in food  Oils  Fats that are liquid at a certain temperature  Grease  Composed of a combination of fats and oils

Types of FOG Two basic types of FOG Two basic types of FOG  Polar  Exhibits an attraction to external surfaces  Non polar  No attraction forces are produced

Polar FOG Basic oils and fats from animals and vegetables Basic oils and fats from animals and vegetables  Common in restaurants and industrial practices  Coagulates in sewer pipelines Hazards  Main source of sanitary sewer overflows (SSO’s)  EPA reported over 40,000 SSO’s for % of them were caused by pipe-blockage  The chemical constituents of polar FOG make them corrosive to their containers and piping.  Causes holes which allows untreated sewage to leach into the ground.  Harmful to the microbial processes used in wastewater treatment facilities, costing more money to treat the water.

Non-polar FOG Mainly petroleum Mainly petroleum  Includes but not limited to crude oil, motor oil, lubricating oils, gasoline, diesel fuels  Doesn’t coagulate in sanitary sewer systems  However, very harmful to the environment and wastewater treatment processes Hazards  Contributed to numerous kills of plants and animals in aquatic habitats ranging from rivers to oceans.  Toxic to water supplies  June 22, 1969 Cuyahoga River in Ohio caught fire due to industrial pollution of chemicals and PETROLEUM!!!  National Academies Press reports that U.S. contributes 29 million gallons of petroleum to the oceans each year!  Long lasting compounds make hazards persistent for years

Overview of Wastewater in the State of Florida Main purpose of wastewater systems is to collect, process, and utilize our water resources. Main purpose of wastewater systems is to collect, process, and utilize our water resources.  Facts:  Florida has over 7,700 lakes, 4,500 sq. miles of estuaries, 50,000 rivers, and a countless number of specialized coastal and intercostals aquatic habitats. Arguably supports some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.Arguably supports some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.  Florida had an estimated population of 18,251,243 in 2006 by the Census Bureau With over 500,000 businesses (excluding firms and farms)With over 500,000 businesses (excluding firms and farms) One of the largest growing populations with an estimated 500,000 residents moving to Florida EVERY YEAR!!!!!One of the largest growing populations with an estimated 500,000 residents moving to Florida EVERY YEAR!!!!! Majority of the population is located urban areas*Majority of the population is located urban areas*

Pro’s vs. Con’s Pro Pro  Easier to mitigate pollution due to localization of point sources  Forces local governments to take on responsibility for pollution control  Proactive in recycling efforts of water resources  Larger volumes of water are utilized rather than wasted.  Education on environmentally friendly practices can be more easily attainable for a larger quantity of people Con  Larger densities of people create more wastewater  Creates more pollution in a smaller area  High potential for public health risks from SSO’s  SSO’s increase the levels of air-born disease and pathogens  Increases the quantity of contaminates to the sewer systems

Control of FOG EPA looks poorly upon sanitary sewer overflows (SSO’s) EPA looks poorly upon sanitary sewer overflows (SSO’s)  ALWAYS harmful to the environment  Results in costly repair for businesses, private citizens, and municipalities  Therefore mandated that the states install protective measures to minimize the risk of SSO’s. FDEP initiated a state-wide program to prevent discharges from the sanitary sewer to the storm-water system and surface waters FDEP initiated a state-wide program to prevent discharges from the sanitary sewer to the storm-water system and surface waters  Entitled local municipalities to manage and mitigate their own sewer systems to prevent violating state code.*

Grease Trap vs. Interceptor vs. Separator

Grease Traps Grease traps are usually in-doors Grease traps are usually in-doors  For businesses that serve, process, or distribute food with a flow of less than 51 gpm (gallons per minute), by FL. State Plumbing Code. *

When Grease Traps Go Bad!

Grease Interceptors and Separators Interceptors/Separators are usually installed outdoors due to their size. Interceptors/Separators are usually installed outdoors due to their size.  Used for businesses that contribute a medium to high volume of low usually gpm, set forth by the FL. State Plumbing Code  Size from gallons for concrete basins *  Size various from gallons for Polyethylene basins

When Grease Interceptors Go Bad! pdf

Extensions There are extensions for businesses that produce more than 100 gpm but less than 10,000 gpd (gallons per day) There are extensions for businesses that produce more than 100 gpm but less than 10,000 gpd (gallons per day)  Multiple grease interceptors/separators are connected in series to handle the large volumes of discharged wastewater. Separators combine the same function to collect petroleum grease Separators combine the same function to collect petroleum grease  Doesn’t congeal in sewer lines, but is very harmful to the microbial process used in wastewater treatment facilities and to the environment.  Usually a recycling tank is attached to the end of the series of separators used by carwash businesses*

Principals of Capture and Retention of FOG The type, size, and location of a grease trap, interceptor, or separator is to be determined by the Plumbing Official established by the Florida Building Code of Plumbing The type, size, and location of a grease trap, interceptor, or separator is to be determined by the Plumbing Official established by the Florida Building Code of Plumbing Grease traps, interceptors, and separators are to be gas and liquid impenetrable. Grease traps, interceptors, and separators are to be gas and liquid impenetrable.  Prevents external and internal matter from leaching in or out of the containment device.

Engineering of Grease Containment Devices In the past, large concrete traps were used to collect the wastewater flowing through either a T or Sweep in-let.* In the past, large concrete traps were used to collect the wastewater flowing through either a T or Sweep in-let.*  FOG and solids separate in the water column.  Middle water is collected and sent to the sanitary sewer system.  Most FOG grease traps, interceptors, or separators have a baffle used to restrict the flow and keep solids from building up on the out-let side.  Sample boxes and clean-outs are placed on the out-let side*

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Future of Grease Traps, Interceptors, and Separators Polyethylene basins and liners Polyethylene basins and liners  In addition, it is standard that present day installed grease interceptors/separators have two man-holes  Liners are being added to concrete basins to improve protection and longevity of a grease trap, interceptor, and separator New in-let and out-let designs are being designed and implemented to improve the flow and retention ratings* New in-let and out-let designs are being designed and implemented to improve the flow and retention ratings*  Reduces the need for a baffle  A more constant flow generates an even distribution of grease and solid build up which helps with cleaning and maintenance *

How to Track F.O.G One Disposal Manifest!!!! One Disposal Manifest!!!! Thanks To the Following:

Summary In Conclusion In Conclusion  The containment and treatment of Fats, Oils, and Greases within the sanitary sewer systems of Florida should be a major focus for today’s environmental push to minimize degradation, while improving public health  Arguably, water resources will become limited in the future if Floridians can not recover and recycle wastewater  Potentially hundreds of SSO’s happen every year in Florida, resulting in negative impacts to terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Most SSO’s can be prevented through the controlling of FOG’s with continuously improving practices and proceduresMost SSO’s can be prevented through the controlling of FOG’s with continuously improving practices and procedures

Summary Cont. Present day solutions to FOG control is through collection devices such as grease traps, interceptors, or separators Present day solutions to FOG control is through collection devices such as grease traps, interceptors, or separators  State and local code enforcement regulate the collected waste and ensure it is disposed and treated in an environmentally friendly way to ensure public safety.  Local amendments allow each individual to become more educated, responsible, and proactive at producing, controlling, and distributing Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)

Literature Cited Special reference to Florida State Plumbing Code - Special reference to Florida State Plumbing Code - Grease Interceptors Catalog 2008 by Schier Products - Grease Interceptors Catalog 2008 by Schier Products - Factors for Interremedia, extrapolation of Biodegradability Assessment - Factors for Interremedia, extrapolation of Biodegradability Assessment - Improved Methods for Estimating Bioconcentration/Bioaccumulation factiors from Octanol and Water Partition Coefficient - Improved Methods for Estimating Bioconcentration/Bioaccumulation factiors from Octanol and Water Partition Coefficient