Download Enzymes - Cedar City

Use of Enzymes within Grease Interceptors:
There are many factors to consider in your assumption that enzymes are the fix for Food
Service Establishment, (FSE) grease interceptor preventative maintenance. I would like
to address biological approaches to control Fats Oil and Grease, (FOG) compared to
standard waste removal process being applied to a FSE greases interceptors.
Conventionally speaking the term biological remediation means the use of specific
enzymes and/or the use of bacteria themselves that secrete FOG-cleaving enzymes.
Through Biological Remediation the secretion of FOG cleaving enzymes causes
cleaving to the glycerol backbone leaving free glycerol and triglycerides within
interceptor body. Beta Oxidation is then caused, enabling the reduction in fatty acid
carbon count.
Depending on your species of bacteria, and the constituents of your waste-stream the
bacteria may not secret the necessary enzyme to break down the oil and grease
molecules, thus will not be capable to utilize the FOG as a food source. If this occurs the
eventual accumulation of fatty acid, volatile organic acid and others, may accumulate and
thus lower the pH within the interceptor body to a point where the pH is at or below 4.0.
Additionally, the importance of retention time within the interceptor cells can not be
overstated. At a minimum and depending on site specific bacteria application rate,
gallons per day (GPD), and flow to interceptor, the retention time should be 24 hours to a
maximum of 48 hours. As you can see the maintaining of such a process requires much
more than simply dumping enzymes down the drain from time to time. The FSE
owner/manager is required to inform the Cedar City Pretreatment Coordinator prior to
introduction of any enzyme causing bacteria into the waste stream.
For additional information please contact:
Cedar City Pretreatment Coordinator
Peter Sury
CCRWTF
435-867-9426