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 assembly for connection to the drain of a cooking appliance which diverts low volume flow effluent from the drain is disclosed. The assembly includes a pipe defining a main flow channel. An auxiliary exit port is connected to said pipe in such a way that the low volume flow will be diverted from the pipe into said auxiliary exit port. A hot water entry pipe port is also connected to said pipe and is in connection with a hot water source which provides a flow of hot water into said pipe. Additionally, a solenoid valve regulates the flow of hot water into said pipe.

Abstract: A collection apparatus for the collection and disposal of effluent from multiple sinks is provided that effectively maintains air gap and sanitation requirements within a minimal vertical distance. The preferred embodiment of present invention has multiple sinks with downwardly disposed drains and a trough mounted to collect the effluent flow from the drains. The trough has a discharge end, an overflow end, and a generally rounded bottom extending beneath the sinks and upwardly open to effluent discharging from the drains. The trough is mounted to induce effluent flow to the discharge end of the trough. The effluent flows from the sink drain through flow diverters located on the drains toward the discharge end of the trough through an air gap and into the trough. The air gap is provided between the lower end of the flow diverter and the bottom of the trough. The effluent is discharged from the trough through the discharge end into a grease separator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating grease from solids and water in a sewage lift station, and separately transferring said grease, and said solids and water, from said station to remote higher destinations, comprising conveying grease from a first chamber to an adjacent second chamber at a first given level, and pumping solids and water from the first chamber from below the first given level to a third chamber; conveying water from the second chamber to the third chamber at a second given level no higher than the first given level, and pumping grease from the second chamber at the second given level to a first, remote, higher destination; and pumping water and solids from the third chamber at below the second given level to a second, remote, higher destination.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping liquids to a destination includes a pipe of a first cross-sectional area extending from the liquid to be pumped to the destination. A body having a cross-sectional area less than twice the first cross-sectional area also has an upper portion, a lower portion, an inlet in the upper portion and an outlet to the pipe in the lower portion, a gas injection port, and a normally open valve between the gas injection port and the inlet, closeable upon an injection of gas through the gas injection port. Gas injection apparatus injects gas through the gas injection port from time to time. When no gas is being injected, liquid may enter the upper portion of the body through the inlet and fall by gravity toward the outlet in the lower portion and the pipe. Upon injection of gas, the valve closes, trapping liquid in the body below the valve, and trapped liquid is forced out the outlet and into the pipe toward the destination.

Abstract: Grease is separated from a mixture of grease and water in a grease collection tank having first and second access ports by skimming the grease from the mixture with a skimmer, and pumping the grease with a pump located in the first access port from the skimmer through a conduit to a storage container located in the second access port.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing grease from a grease trap separator containing grease and water and transferring the grease to a remote location includes an enclosed transfer tank, a first transport tube having an inlet end positioned to contact the grease in the grease trap separator and an outlet end extending into the tank, a second transport tube having an inlet end positioned to contact the water in the grease trap separator and an outlet end extending to the tank, a transport means arranged to convey the water through the second transport tube between the tank and the grease trap separator, a discharge pipe extending from the tank to a remote location, a first sensor for determining when the tank is filled with grease, and a second sensor for determining when the tank is filled with water, the first and second sensors controlling the action of the transport means.

Abstract: An oil/grease separation apparatus includes a chamber for receiving a liquid flow containing water, oil/grease and gross solids. An inlet section is separated from a downstream section by a weir, so that a higher static water level is maintained in the inlet section than the downstream section, to facilitate one-way passage of oil/grease from the inlet section to the downstream section. A grinder/pump has an input port in a lower portion of the inlet section. The inlet section has an inlet port, a strainer separating the inlet port and the top of the weir to inhibit passage by solids to the downstream section, and a bottom which slopes downwardly toward the input port of the grinder/pump. An oil/grease separator located in the downstream section removes oil/grease from water held in the downstream section.

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.