Abstract: An apparatus for separating or segregating an insoluble or immiscible fluid mixture into its denser and less dense components is disclosed. The apparatus' serviceability is enhanced through the use of a removably secured focusing plate. The apparatus may be advantageously used to separate grease/water mixtures of commercial food preparation operations into a gray water component for disposal in sewer lines and a grease component for storage and subsequent appropriate disposal.

Abstract: An oil/grease separation apparatus includes an inlet section for receiving a liquid flow containing water, oil/grease and gross solids. The gross solids are separated from the liquid flow and collected in the inlet section. A water jet eductor is provided having a solids extraction port located in a lower portion of the inlet section. The water jet eductor is actuated by supplying pressurized water to create a suction to extract the accumulated solids from the inlet section. The extracted solids are directed to a separator outlet or to an alternate disposal system by suitable piping.

Abstract: A device for pumping a stock fluid by supplying and discharging a motivating fluid to a unit is described. The device develops the suction and discharge of the stock fluid through the motion of a movable biasing boundary within a cavity. The movable biasing boundary divides the cavity into a stock fluid cell and a motivating-fluid cell. In the case that the movable biasing boundary comprises a piston, a link joined to the piston may extend outside of the unit as a means for driving the piston toward the motivating fluid cell. Each cell communicates with a fluid circuit that includes a source line, a valve or valves and a discharge line. The controlled supply and discharge of the motivating fluid to move the movable biasing boundary creates the discharge and suction of the stock fluid respectively. A valve directs the supply and discharge of the motivating fluid.

Abstract: An integrated system including an oven and a separator for converting a grease/water mixture exiting the oven into a grease component and a gray water component is disclosed. The oven, which may be considered to be independent of the integrated system, includes a reservoir that acts as a water vapor source and a drip pan for capturing the juice and/or grease that exude from a food stuff as it cooks. A water supply line in fluid communication with reservoir provide for clearing the surface of the reservoir of grease slicks or a grease layer that might interfere with the humidity or water vapor content of the oven. A controller may be provided to regulate the frequency and duration of the clearing of the reservoir surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating or segregating an insoluble or immiscible fluid mixture including less-dense solids and/or buoyant solids into its denser component, less-dense component, and less-dense solids and/or buoyant solids is disclosed. An aspect of the invention is directed to a technique that may relieve and even eliminate the fouling of down stream elements through the use of a flushing cycle in one instance, alternative access lines in another instance, or alternative access lines and flushing in yet another instance. The apparatus may be advantageously used to separate grease/water mixtures of commercial food preparation operations into a gray water component for disposal in sewer lines and a grease component for storage and subsequent appropriate disposal.

Abstract: An integrated system including an oven and a separator for converting a grease/water mixture exiting the oven into a grease component and a gray water component is disclosed. The oven, which may be considered to be independent of the integrated system, includes a reservoir that acts as a water vapor source and a drip pan for capturing the juice and/or grease that exude from a food stuff as it cooks. A water supply line in fluid communication with reservoir provide a means for clearing the surface of the reservoir of grease slicks or a grease layer that might interfere with the humidity or water vapor content of the oven. A controller may be provided to regulate the frequency and duration of the clearing of the reservoir surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing liquid flow rates includes a chamber having peripheral walls, one of the walls having an aperture therein. A conduit connected to the chamber at the aperture forms a path from the conduit into the chamber. A 3/32" (0.24 cm) thick rubber sheet mounted to the apertured wall has a circular orifice therein aligned with but smaller than the aperture in the wall. A stainless steel plate affixed to an upper portion of the wall also has a hole aligned with the orifice and the aperture and serves to clamp the flexible membrane to the wall. Liquid passing from the conduit to the chamber has its flow rate reduced by passing through the orifice in the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane can be bowed inward of the chamber under increased upstream pressures to form an interior conical portion to direct any entrained solids from the conduit into the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the solids and oil/grease components of a water mixture includes a tank for holding a water mixture for a period during which heavier-than-water components of the water mixture settle to the bottom of the held water mixture and lighter-than-water components rise to the top of the held water mixture. It includes devices for separating solids from liquids in a flow of solids and liquids and for separating oil/grease from water in a flow of oil/grease and water. A first discharge line from the tank adjacent the location of the heavier-than-water components communicates with the device for separating solids from liquids, and a second discharge line from the tank adjacent the location of the lighter-than-water components communicates with the device for separating oil/grease from water. A third discharge line from the tank intermediate the first and second discharge line is provided for the removal of water with reduced solids and oil/grease components.

Abstract: An oil or grease removal assembly of the type used to remove such contaminants from the surface of a body of water includes a rotatable disk made of plastic or other material to which such oil contaminants have an affinity, disposed in cooperative relation to an elongated trough having scraper blades for engaging the opposite sides of the disk for the removal of the oil contaminants therefrom with the trough disposed and structured to direct such oil contaminants away from the disk and the body of water such as to an outlet chute during the continuous rotation of peripheral driving of the disk. The trough has a hook-like element to permit it to be removably mounted straddling the disk.

Abstract: A strainer assembly for separating solid particles, such as food particles, from drain water includes a straining apparatus made up of discrete portions which travel on an endless path with the path having platform and dumping segments. Incoming drain water impacts the discrete portions of the straining apparatus in the platform segment so that the solid particles are held on the discrete portions while water passes to the drain and the solid particles travel with the discrete portions to the dumping segment, where they are dumped to a collection facility.

Abstract: A grease/oil separator of the type primarily used in industry for the removal of grease/oil contaminants from water flowing from a restaurant or like business to the conventional sewer facilities and being of the type which includes a heater structure mounted within a receiving container. A heat conductive wing defines a heat sink and is secured to an under portion of a trough or receiving portion of a containment removal sump. The heat sink is dimensioned and configured to extend into submerged relation within the liquid reservoir of the receiving container and transfer heat, through conductivity therefrom to the heat sump so as to maintain the heat sump at a minimum predetermined temperature sufficient to prevent grease/oil contaminants from solidifying and clogging the removal sump.