All Science Fair Projects

Grease trap

With a rising number of restaurants, fast food chains, diners and other food outlets in cities, increasing amounts of fat, oil and grease are being discharged into the city sewer systems. These discharges solidify when cooled. They then combine with other solid materials that are discharged into the sewer pipes and cause blockages.

Grease traps are part of a plumbing system and are used to intercept most fat, oil and grease before they go through wastewater treatment. Wastewater usually contains small amounts of oil which floats in a septic tank. This layer of scum is slowly digested by microorganisms via anaerobic digestion. However, large amounts of discharge can overwhelm this system and result in untreated waste being released into the environment.

Introducing bacteria into grease traps will help in breaking down fat, oil and grease. Introducing bleach, ammonia or enzymes should be avoided because they will affect the bacteria digesting the waste. Smaller grease traps should be cleaned at least once a month.