Grease and solids removal system

Apparatus for reducing the solids and oil/grease components of a water mixture comprising the elements of

• 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,
• a heating means in said tank to heat at least a portion of the water mixture in the tank to a temperature at which the oil/grease is liquid,
• a device for separating solids from liquids in a flow of solids and liquids,
• a first discharge line from the said tank adjacent the location of the heavier-than-water components communicating with said device for separating solids from liquids including a pump for pumping a flow of solids and liquids from said tank to said device for separating solids and liquids,
• a device for separating oil/grease from water in a flow of oil/grease and water,
• a second discharge line from said tank adjacent the location of the lighter-than-water components communicating with said device for separating oil/grease from water including a non-shearing pump for pumping a flow of oil/grease and from said tank to said device for separating oil/grease and water,
• a backwash line supplying heated water to said second discharge line to maintain oil/grease in said second discharge line in flowable form and to flush oil/grease from said second discharge line,
• means for enabling said elements to coact to sequentially and/or simultaneously provide a solids discharge mode and an oil/grease discharge mode, and
• a third discharge line from said tank intermediate said first and second discharge lines for the removal of water with reduced solids and oil/grease components.

Apparatus for reducing the solids and oil/grease components of waste water comprising the elements of:

• 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, said tank to a temperature at which the oil/grease is liquid,
• a device for separating solids from liquids in a flow of solids and liquids having a first output for separated liquids,
• a device for separating oil/grease from water in a flow of oil/grease and water downstream from said first output for separated liquids and having a second output of separated water communicating with said tank to recycle relatively clear water to said tank,
• a first discharge line from said tank adjacent the location of the heavier-than-water components,
• a second discharge line from said tank adjacent the location of the lighter-than-water components,
• a backwash line supplying heated water to said second discharge line to maintain oil/grease in said second discharge line in flowable form and to flush oil/grease from second discharge line,
• a merged line downstream of said first and second discharge lines, and including
• a pump for pumping flows from said first and second discharge lines and
• a valve in said merged line for selectively permitting flow in said merged line from either of said first or second discharge lines,
• means for enabling said elements to coact to sequentially and/or simultaneously provide a solids discharge mode and an oil/grease discharge mode, and
• a third discharge line from said tank intermediate said first and second discharge lines for the removal of water with reduced solids and oil/grease components.