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Albert Robbat, Jr.Tufts University, Chemistry [email protected], 617-627-3474
Anthony SillariCity of Somerville, Chief Plumbing & Gas [email protected], 617-625-6600 ext 5633
A Collaboration BetweenTufts University and the City of Somerville
AimElimination of Fat, Oil, and Grease (FOG) Buildup
Using a Protein-based Degreaser
FOG is a Problem Everywhere
• Creates problems for homeowners, commercial restaurants, schools, universities, and hospitals
• Creates blockages in sink traps, interceptor wells, and underground pipes
• Results in inefficient operations and increasing maintenance costs
• Results in fines when FOG concentrations exceed regulatory limits
How do we deal with it?
constrained space access, time-
consuming and costly cleanouts
dangerous sodium
hydroxide
ineffective bacteria and
enzymes
The Solution
• Protein Matrix is a patent-pending technology that converts FOG into salts of fatty acids. The degreaser is– A mixture of proteins and polypeptides extracted from plants– Water-based– Non-toxic, non-volatile, non-flammable– Biodegradable– Environmentally safe – Contains NO bacteria or enzymes
Mechanism of Action
• The degreaser converts− FOG to a liquid byproduct that remains in solution by disrupting the
intermolecular forces that form FOG− FOG into much smaller compounds that are soluble in water
• Protein Matrix prevents FOG buildup in pipes, interceptors, and lift stations and reduces maintenance and cleaning costs
Protein Matrix Makes Liquid Soap
Fat Conversion
TrioleinPre-treatment
Oleic AcidTriolein treated with
=
=
Triolein has been converted to oleic acid!
• Pre-pilot: – Facilities contracted Wind River to pump traps quarterly– Some traps backed before scheduled pumping, increasing maintenance
costs
• Pilot: – Designed and built an automated spray application system– Each night 15 to 20 oz of Protein Matrix was sprayed into the trap
• Questions:– Did PM convert the mat of FOG into a flowable liquid without cleaning the
trap prior to application
– Once cleaned, did PM keep the trap clean and flowing
Grease Trap Study
Dining Hall Results
Tufts ResultsAfter 1-Month After 2-months
Kitchen
Bakery
Concentration Overtime
Tufts Pipes Cleaner
Before After
• Despite installing two 1500 gal gravity interceptor wells, which are pumped every other month, the restaurant continued to exceed FOG compliance levels
• Aqua America (PA), a $4 billion wastewater treatment plant owner and operator, suggested McDonald’s test the degreaser under normal operating conditions
• Unlike the tufts pilot, Protein Matrix was dosed continually into the floor drain
• Water quality parameters were measured for both interceptor influent and effluent streams
McDonald’s, Jennersville (PA)
GGI 1 (inlet) GGI 1 (outlet) GGI 2 (inlet)
Prior to treatment and after
1-month of buildup
After 3-months of treatment
McDonald’s Results
Video VideoVideo 14
McDonald’s FOG Levels Decreased
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Fat,
iOil,
&G
reas
e (F
OG
) mg/
L
McDonald's Jennersville Pilot StudyInfluent Breakdown Maintenance
breakdown of preexisting Fat
maintenance periodFree of FOG mats
Dramatic Improvement in Effluent Qualitysample dateHJV cBOD (mg/L) FOG (mg/L) TSS (mg/L) N AMMONIA (mg/L) P (mg/L)
10-Feb-13 513 85 266 17.8 31.6724-Feb-13 370 69 302 80.2 23.839-Mar-13 297 49 274 41.6 32.67
23-Mar-13 750 14 216 52.8 21.56-Apr-13 467 36 260 18.1 31.525-Apr-13 1470 106 672 24.7 30.58-May-13 600 10.1 292 40.6 10.328-May-13 600 32 722 15.7 3110-Jun-13 450 103 426 15.6 10.523-Jun-13 605 134 108 43.2 27.513-Jul-13 371 62 168 31.4 20.527-Jul-13 508 6.3 362 23.1 2.615-Sep-13 900 141 1310 124 35.528-Sep-13 1065 54 340 47.7 28.57-Oct-13 303 8.1 288 16.4 7.628-Oct-13 198 6 188 27.3 14.311-Nov-13 535 42.6 612 37.9 3123-Nov-13 360 25.4 174 29.4 13.57-Dec-13 162 31.2 382 21.3 21.523-Dec-13 600 52.3 380 21.1 3211-Jan-14 413 26.4 204 41.6 3127-Jan-14 515 19.4 502 39.6 14.38-Feb-14 990 33.6 378 5.4 17.323-Feb-14 439 46 556 36 7.6
2-Dec-14 608 24 120 46.8 9
16-Dec-14 750 87 98 48.8 8
30-Dec-14 765 56 114 28.6 7.2
13-Jan-15 422 21 130 66 7.75
29-Jan-15 585 35 220 24.9 27.9
10-Feb-15 2130 62 290 5.7 15
24-Feb-15 1740 89 308 12.9 10.3
11-Mar-15 1335 5 170 9.5 5.25
24-Mar-15 1245 13 134 19.7 2.1
7-Apr-15 388 12 15 12.4 4.7
5-May-15 2940 57 565 12 2.4
19-May-15 12 9 6.6 0.26 0.12
2-Jun-15 840 39 60.5 21.7 0.31
McDonald’s PipesBefore After
Vent Degreaser
BakeryRackVideo
Pilot Study
• These studies demonstrate Protein Matrix– Prevents FOG accumulation grease traps and interceptor wells– Reduces risk of FOG buildup in pipes– Reduces risk of exceeding regulatory limits and, in turn, fines – Decrease long-term maintenance and operations costs
Summary
Acknowledgements
• Post-doctoral fellows, PhD, Patrick Antle and Christian Zeigler
• Thomas Atmer, undergraduate, BS• Tufts University facilities and plumbers