Unnecessary disposal – unnecessary costs
The contents of grease separators must be disposed of regularly before the grease collection chamber or sludge trap reaches its storage capacity. However, it is usually difficult to determine exactly when this occurs. For this reason, the DIN 1852-2 standard specifies fixed disposal intervals which operators of grease separators must adhere to as a minimum. As these intervals are naturally geared towards the most intensively used systems, grease separators with a normal usage rate are often emptied ‘too early’. This results in unnecessary disposal costs for the operator.
This way, a large proportion of the disposal costs can be saved
An increasing number of local authorities are approving longer disposal intervals for grease separators if operators can demonstrate their actual disposal requirements. It is not uncommon for disposal costs to be reduced by two-thirds (for quarterly disposal) or more. The exact procedure for obtaining approval depends on the local authority in question. In some cases, operators can extend the disposal intervals on their own initiative; in others, the relevant authority first inspects the conditions on site.
Verification and inspection using a coating thickness gauge
The simplest and most convenient solution for determining the disposal intervals for grease separators on a case-by-case basis and adjusting them as required is an automatic grease layer thickness gauge such as SonicControl from KESSEL. SonicControl continuously measures the thickness of the grease layer using ultrasound and displays the reading on a wall-mounted control unit for monitoring purposes. The control unit alerts the operator via visual and audible signals as soon as the maximum fill level is reached. This ensures that the separator is always emptied at the ideal time, thereby reducing the financial cost of disposal to a minimum.
Extended disposal intervals: be aware of the risks!
Whether or not automatic layer thickness measurement is used: extended disposal intervals require that the grease separator be free from corrosion, correctly installed and adequately ventilated, and that it is properly inspected and maintained by competent experts / inspectors. If this is not ensured, there is a risk of several hazards:
