Abstract: The invention pertains to the purification of commercial, industrial and institutional waste streams in order to bring them into dischargeable compliance with environmental standards. The invention provides a system for removing contaminants, such as fats, oils and grease (FOGs) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), from waste effluents on an essentially continuous basis. During the treatment process, the FOGs and TPHs disposed within the textiles to be cleaned are treated with an alkaline, pH- or acid-sensitive detergent, causing their emulsification. The effluent waste stream is then treated by removing the solids and particulates. The alkaline emulsion is broken up by acidification of the wastewater, thereby releasing and dispersing the FOGs and TPHs. The FOGs and TPHs in the broken-up and dissolved emulsion are agglomerated by the introduction of an organic, cationic polymer.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system for treating commercial, industrial and institutional effluents to remove contaminants such as: fats, oils and greases, (FOGs) from the waste water. The system generally features a continuous processing treatment of the effluent, but can also be adapted on a small scale to a batch procedure. The system comprises the feeding of an emulsified waste stream to a first screening station, where solid matter and large particulates are removed. The FOGs in the waste stream are initially emulsified during the laundering or cleaning process by an alkaline detergent. The alkaline, emulsified waste stream is then fed to a first stage of a pH adjustment station. Here, the emulsified FOGs begin the process of being released and dispersed within the fluid, through the downward adjustment of the pH, i.e. by treating the effluent with acid.