EP0282906B1 - Grease separator - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A grease separator, with a sludge trap chamber on the intake side separated by at least one partition (17) from a separator chamber (B) on the outlet side ; with a pump (6) connectable on the suction side to the sludge trap chamber (A) and on the pressure side connectable selectably via lines to a circulation line (27) (circulation) issuing into the sludge trap chamber (A) ; with a scarifying line (29) (scarifying of the grease layer) issuing into the separator chamber and with a discharge line (25) (discharge), the lines being connected to a common multisetting control device connected to a pressure line (12) of the pump (6) ; characterized in that the control device has a supporting member (24) wherein provision is made side by side for the openings (26, 28, 30) of the three lines (27, 29, 25) for the circulation, scarifying and discharge, and in that the pressure line (12) of the pump (6) can, together with its opening (14) be moved transversely over the openings (26, 28, 30) of the three lines, and selectably into a sealing alignment with each opening (26, 28, 30) of the three lines (25, 27, 29).

Description

The invention relates to a grease separator specified in the preamble of claim 1.

In such a grease separator known from DE-PS 2 003 565, a 4/4-way control valve is provided in the pressure line of the pump, to which the three lines to the sludge trap chamber, to the separating chamber and to the emptying outlet are connected. In the case of the often viscous, possibly aggressive and mixed with solids, lumps or objects, which has to be treated in the grease separator, this directional control valve is an acute disruptive factor because its function is easily impaired by dirt, objects or the like. Neither flow diversions nor dead spaces or narrow passages can be avoided in the directional control valve, as a result of which contaminants become lodged that cannot be removed by the pump pressure, but rather require the three lines to be dismantled or at least unscrewed for cleaning. The flow constrictions in particular impair a desired large throughput. In addition, such control valves are expensive and difficult to maintain.

The invention has for its object to provide a grease separator of the type mentioned, which is characterized by a simple structure and great effect in its work and should be immune to interference.

The object is achieved according to the invention with the features specified in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

In this design, a directional control valve or slide valve is no longer needed because the connection of the pressure pipe to the line to be acted upon is made solely by moving the mouth of the pressure pipe and aligning it with the mouth of the line required in each case. The pollution in the wastewater does not interfere with the movement of the mouth. When the mouth moves, even deposits are automatically pushed away or removed. The mouths of the other two lines that are not required are exposed. Should there still be a malfunction, cleaning can be carried out easily after removing the container lid, without the need for further partial disassembly. The carrier part on which the lines are mounted is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and can be easily accommodated inside the grease separator. This also gives the grease separator a compact design with as few external components as possible.

The embodiment of claim 2 is expedient, because the externally accessible adjusting device for a desirably simple handling of the fat separator, among others when it is emptied. With the rotation of the intended lever, the pipe is also rotated axially and the pump, which is flanged to the pipe, also rotates in this direction and the pressure pipe is finally realigned. tet. It is therefore possible to connect the pressure pipe optionally with one of the three lines.

A structurally simple and expedient embodiment, in which the sludge trap chamber and the separating chamber are accommodated in a container, is evident from claim 3. The pipe that connects the pump to the drive would have to be stored and sealed on the container anyway. Then making the tube rotatable about a vertical axis is a structurally simple measure and does not impair the sealing function. With the rotatability of the tube, however, the possibility is created to place the mouth of the pressure tube on one of the mouths of the three lines if the mouths lie in a circular arc with the axis as the center. The flat alignment of the three orifices arranged next to one another is particularly advantageous because the orifice of the pressure pipe is placed on the required orifice from above and pressed by the weight of the pump of the pipe and possibly the drive, so that even at high working pressure of the pump the leakage losses remain low. As an alternative, a vertical embodiment with a cylinder jacket as a mouth receptacle would also be conceivable. The pressure line is pressed radially, so to speak, against the vertical mouth of one of the three lines.

A structurally particularly simple and reliable embodiment can be found in claim 4. The form-fitting links secure three rotational positions of the tube, in which the pressure tube is connected to one of the lines. It is advantageous to fix these rotational positions visibly on the outside, because the inside of the grease separator is closed to the outside. Due to the fact that the pipe sits lower in the three predetermined rotational positions than in between, the weight of the pump and the pipe firmly presses the mouth of the pressure pipe onto the respectively selected mouth, while lifting and relieving it when moving from one mouth to the other. Deposits are wiped off and unnecessarily high wear between the mouths is avoided.

The functional reliability is increased in the embodiment of claim 5, because the mouth of the pressure tube can be inserted into the seat with correct alignment. Inappropriate wear is avoided even with frequent adjustment. The sealing effect that can be achieved is by far sufficient for this purpose. If necessary. however, an additional seal could also be provided in each seat or at the mouth of the pressure line.

In terms of construction, the aforementioned requirement is met particularly simply in the embodiment according to claim 6. With its angular design, the support part can be easily fixed on the partition and forms a stable mounting for the three lines and, in a simple manner, also the guide surface for the mouth of the pressure pipe to be moved. The mouths of the three lines should be above the level in the grease separator. For a clean guide for the pressure pipe and so that the torque applied when moving the pressure tube is transmitted correctly to the mouth, at least one connecting strut is provided between the tube and the mouthpiece.

A particularly important embodiment of a fat separator according to the invention, which is essential to the invention even without the features of the previous embodiments, and in which a device which can be actuated to empty the fat separator and which tears open a separated fat layer is arranged in the separating chamber, is based on claim 7. In this embodiment, the sub-task is solved, the tearing of the fat layer particularly we perform quickly and efficiently, without having to drive excessive technical effort. In the fat separator according to DE-PS 2 003 565, the tearing effect of the wastewater pressed from the tearing line into the separation chamber is not sufficient to reliably tear open the fat layer. An externally driven agitator is therefore provided, which projects into the separation chamber and is actuated to be torn open. This means a considerable additional effort. The effect of the agitator is also local and therefore not sufficient. Therefore, it has already been proposed (DE-PS 2 555 136) to immerse an annular nozzle in the fat layer, to spray waste water from this annular nozzle via the tearing line and, in addition, to move the annular nozzle back and forth in the fat layer. However, this requires an extraordinarily high technical outlay and the need for a motion drive for the ring nozzle.

In the embodiment according to claim 7, a rapid and effective tearing of the fat layer is achieved in a simple manner by the spray nozzles, of which several are arranged in the fat layer and therefore simultaneously cause the tearing over the entire fat layer extension. A motion drive for the spray nozzles is not needed because they begin to tear open the fat layer in several places in the separation chamber. The pressure provided by the pump and the waste water pumped out of the sludge trap chamber are used for this.

For a good tear effect, the features of the embodiment according to claim 8 are also important. The supply line remains above the fat layer so that it cannot get caught there when it solidifies. Only the spray nozzles protrude into the fat layer and, because they work just below the surface of the fat layer, produce a good and quick effect. The jets emerging from the spray nozzles break the solidified fat layer into many small pieces that can be pumped out quickly and without rinsing or stirring when the separation chamber is subsequently emptied. The top edge of the partition, together with the outlet, defines the level of the surface of the solidified fat layer.

The features of claim 9 are also useful, since the spray nozzles attached to the branch lines, which work essentially horizontally, can be adjusted individually, so that the fat layer is torn into as many lumps of the same size as possible. This is achieved by the adjustable nozzles, but above all reaching into the fat layer, so that the fat layer is broken open from the inside.

The wide or flat jet nozzles according to claim 10 have a particularly strong tearing and mixing action in the fat layer.

It is also conceivable, according to claim 11, to spray additional rinsing water instead of the waste water, which comes from a separate rinsing water source. If this is heated or / and a cleaning agent is added, the grease separator can be emptied and cleaned particularly thoroughly.

Another useful measure is included in claim 12. The flap lock is normally closed so that no sludge can migrate from the sludge trap chamber to the separation chamber and no fat components can return to the sludge trap chamber. Only when emptying is the flap closure opened by the flow pressure, so that the lumps produced by the tearing of the fat layer with the waste water can be pumped out quickly from the sump of the sludge trap chamber.

A further, particularly expedient embodiment which is important according to the invention can be found in claim 13. The features characterizing this embodiment are also important for grease separators of a type other than the above-mentioned, because the flow calming zone promotes rapid separation of the grease constituents and other contaminations of the waste water, so that the quality of the waste water flowing into the sewage system is relatively good.

Finally, a further embodiment, which is particularly important according to the invention, is contained in claim 14, in which the bottom of the grease separator container is inclined towards the pump. The mechanical discharge device supports the pumping action of the pump when emptying the grease separator because it transports solid components or chunks to the pump, which it can then pump out quickly.

An embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is explained below with the aid of the drawing.

• Fig. 1 einen Vertikalschnitt durch einen Fettabscheider,
• Fig. 2 eine Draufsicht auf den Fettabscheider von Fig. 1 nach Abnahme des Deckels,
• Fig. 3 ein Detail des Fettabscheiders im Schnitt und
• Fig. 4 ein weiteres Detail in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

Show it:

• 1 is a vertical section through a grease separator,
• 2 is a plan view of the grease separator of FIG. 1 after removing the cover,
• Fig. 3 shows a detail of the fat separator in section and
• Fig. 4 shows a further detail in a perspective view.

In the case of a fat separator 1, such as is used especially for commercial kitchens, butchers, large restaurants and the like, a sludge trap chamber A is arranged in a common trough-like container 2, to which a separator is attached Chamber B connects, behind which there is an outlet chamber C, from which the cleaned wastewater is drained back into the sewer system. The container 2 is closed at the top by a lid 3. The polluted waste water runs through an inlet connection 4 with a subsequent baffle 5 to the sludge trap chamber A. A pump 6 is arranged in the bottom sump of the sludge trap chamber A and is connected via a vertical pipe 7 to an external drive 8. The tube 7 is held together with the pump 6 in a storage area 9 so that it can rotate about a vertical axis 37. There is an actuating device 10 and a rotary seal 11 for the tube 7. A pressure pipe 12 connected to the pressure side of the pump 6 is designed as a riser pipe, to which a 180 _° knee 13 is attached at the top, so that the mouth designated by 14 Pressure tube 12 points down. The upper part of the pressure pipe 12 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the pipe 7 via a strut 15.

The sludge trap chamber A is separated from the separation chamber B by a dividing wall 16 rising from the sloping bottom 23 of the container 2. The upper edge of the partition wall 16, together with the inlet connector 4 and an outlet connector 21, determines the liquid level in the container 2. At a distance from the partition wall 16, an underflow transverse wall 17 is attached in the separation chamber B, the upper edge of which is higher than the upper edge of the partition wall 16. Between the transverse wall 17 and a partition wall 19 separating the separation chamber B from the inlet chamber C, a flow calming zone is formed, in which the fat can settle out of the waste water and forms a floating fat layer 22. On the partition 19, a vent 18 is attached. A passage 20 is provided near the bottom 23 in the partition 19 for the purified waste water flowing from the separation chamber B into the outlet chamber C.

An angular support part 24, expediently detachable, is fixed near the upper edge of the partition 16, in which (see FIG. 2) three orifices 26, 28 and 30 lie next to one another at approximately the same height. The mouth 26 belongs to an emptying line 25 which is led out of the container. The mouth 28 belongs to a short stub 27 which runs from the carrier part 24 down into the sludge trap chamber A and ends approximately at half its height. The mouth 30 finally belongs to a tear line 29 which extends over the transverse wall 17 into the separating chamber B and forms a supply line 31 with a supply line branch 31 a thereon for spray nozzles 33 which are rotatable about vertical axes on short downward stub lines 32. The supply lines 31, 31a are located approximately at the height of the upper edge of the partition wall 16 and thus above the surface level of the fat layer 22. The spray nozzles 33, on the other hand, are located just below the level of the upper edge of the partition wall 17 and thus inside the fat layer 22. The spray nozzles 33 are set in their rotational position so that practically the entire fat layer can be acted upon with spray jets. The spray nozzles 33 are designed as flat jet nozzles with an approximately horizontal jet direction. The supply lines 31 and 31 a are held with simple brackets 35 on the longitudinal walls of the container 2, e.g. with locking brackets.

Near the bottom 23 is a mechanical discharge device 42, e.g. arranged in the manner of a conveyor belt or a scraper conveyor with the transport direction running to the pump 6. In the partition 16 a flap closure 47 is provided near the bottom, which assumes its closed position when the grease separator is working and only opens when emptied by the flow pressure and creates a flow connection from the separation chamber B to the sludge trap chamber A and thus to the suction side of the pump 6.

From Fig. 2 it can be seen that the mouths 26, 28 and 30 are arranged along an arc K, the center of which is the axis 37 of the tube 7. The carrier part 24 extends across the sludge trap chamber A and is arranged so high that the mouths are above the level of the waste water in the sludge trap chamber A.

3, the carrier part 24 is formed such that each mouth (only the mouth 28 is shown) is formed as a funnel-shaped seat 41 in a thickening 40 of the carrier part 24, the top of which is a guide surface 38 common to all the mouths for the mouth 14 of the pressure pipe 13 forms. Each line, e.g. the line 27 is suspended in the seat 41. At the mouth 14, the pressure tube 13 is provided with a thickening 39, which advantageously has a conical shape, so that there is a good sealing seat as soon as the mouth 14 has entered the seat 41. The mouth 14 is displaced by means of the tube 7 during its rotational movement along the guide surface 38. In dashed lines it is indicated that the cone angle of the seat 41 is smaller than the cone angle of the thickening 39, so that the mouth 14 cannot wedge in the seat 41.

From Fig. 4 it can be seen that in the adjusting device 10 for the tube 7 three notches 44a, 44b and 44c spaced apart in the circumferential direction are provided, into which a pin 45 projecting radially in the tube 7 can snap. The drive shaft to the pump is designated 43. To implement the mouth 14, the adjusting device 10 indicated in FIG. 1 raises and rotates the tube 7 until the pin 45 enters one of the three notches which define three predetermined rotational positions for the tube 7 and thus for the mouth 14, in which the mouth 14 is aligned with one of the mouths 26, 28, 30 and is pressed against or into this mouth by the weight of the tube 7 with the pump 6.

An actuator for the rotary movement of the tube could also be provided, which is activated by actuating a switch and then rotates the tube from one rotary position to the other and, if necessary, raises and lowers it again.

Of particular advantage is the simple structure of the parts with which the pump 6 on the pressure side each because one of the lines 25, 29, 27 can be connected, with large flow cross sections being available for the flow without any flow obstacles, which is important for the contaminated wastewater.

The grease separator works as follows: The polluted waste water flows into the sludge trap chamber A via the inlet connection 4 until it has reached the level of the upper edge of the partition 16. Solid and heavier constituents than the waste water in the sump of the sludge trap chamber A are already settling. The wastewater mixed with grease then fills the separation chamber B, flowing through it under the transverse wall 17 and abutting the partition 19. The fat constituents of the waste water rise upward in the flow-reduced zone and form the thick layer of fat 22 between the transverse wall 17 and the partition wall 19. The cleaned waste water flows through the passage 20 into the discharge chamber C and through the discharge nozzle 21 into the further channel system.

After a predetermined period of use of the fat separator, sludge is present in the sludge trap chamber A and a solidified fat layer 22 is present in the separation chamber B. Then the grease separator 1 must be emptied.

For this purpose, wastewater is no longer supplied, but first the pipe 7 is rotated until the mouth 14 of the pressure pipe 12 is connected to the mouth 30 of the tear line 31. Then the pump 6 is switched on. The wastewater sucked out of the sludge trap chamber A is pressed out through the spray nozzles 33 and breaks up the fat layer into small crumbs, at the same time these crumbs being put into a circulating movement. The waste water circulates permanently in the separating chamber B. Then the pump 6 is switched off and the pipe 7 is rotated so far that the mouth 14 is aligned with the mouth 26 of the line 25 and is tightly connected to it. The pump 6 is switched on again and sucks the sludge from the sump of the sludge trap chamber A and, via the opening flap lock 47, also the separating chamber B, whereby the lumps of the torn fat layer 22 are entrained. If this is deemed necessary, the mouth 14 can be previously aligned with the mouth 28 and then the pump can be switched on again, so that a strong circulation is generated in the sludge trap chamber A, which favors the subsequent suction. The discharge device 42 favors the emptying of the separation chamber B.

The grease separator is then ready for operation again. Contaminated wastewater can be returned.

Claims (14)

1. A grease separator, with a sludge trap chamber on the intake side separated by at least one partition (17) from a separator chamber (B) on the outlet side; with a pump (6) connectable on the suction side to the sludge trap chamber (A) and on the pressure side connectable selectably via lines to a circulation line (27) (circulation) issuing into the sludge trap chamber (A); with a scarifying line (29) (scarifying of the grease layer) issuing into the separator chamber and with a discharge line (25) (discharge), the lines being connected to a common multisetting control device connected to a pressure line (12) of the pump (6); characterized in that the control device has a supporting member (24) wherein provision is made side by side for the openings (26, 28, 30) of the three lines (27, 29, 25) for the circulation, scarifying and discharge, and in that the pressure line (12) of the pump (6) can, together with its opening (14) be moved transversely over the openings (26, 28, 30) of the three lines, and selectably into a sealing alignment with each opening (26, 28, 30) of the three lines (25, 27, 29).

2. A grease separator according to Claim 1, characterized in that provision is made for a setting device (10) actuable from the outside, for example a lever acting on the pipe (7) in the mounting zone (9), for moving the opening (14) of the pressure line (12) over the three openings (26, 28, 30).

3. A grease separator according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the sludge trap chamber and the separator chamber are accommodated in a container, characterized in that the pipe (7) is rotatable on the container with the pump (6) and the pressure pipe (12) round a vertical axis (37); and in that the openings (26, 28, 30) of the three lines (25, 27, 29) are arranged in a circular arc with the axis (37) being the centre.

4. A grease separator according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pipe (7) is seated in a sealed rotatable mounting (11) in the lid (3) of the container (2), and in that provision is made on the rotatable mounting (11) for conjugate elements (44a, 44b, 44c) for securing the pipe (7) in three different rotation positions, the pipe (7) being seated in each predetermined rotation position at a lower level than between the rotation positions and maintaining therewith a seal between one of the three openings (26, 28, 30) of the lines (25, 27, 29) and the opening (14) of the pressure pipe (12).

5. A grease separator according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each of the three openings (26, 28, 30) is designed as an enlarged, preferably funnel-shaped seat (41) for the opening (14) of the pressure pipe (12) designed with a thickening (39).

6. A grease separator according to at least one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guide surface (38) is disposed on the angular distributor component (24) containing the openings (26, 28, 30) and is arranged at the top on the partition (16) between the sludge trap chamber (A) and the separator chamber (B); and in that the pressure pipe (12) is designed as a rising pipe with a 180° knee bend (13) at its upper end, and surmounts the distributor component (24) at the top.

7. A grease separator according to at least one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein a device actuable for discharging the grease separator is arranged for scarifying a separated layer of grease, characterized in that the scarifying line (29) is a feed line (31, 31a) for a plurality of spraying nozzles (32) arranged in the separator chamber (B) below the surface level of the grease layer (22), scarifying the grease layer (22) with their spray jets (36).

8. A grease separator according to Claim 7, characterized in that the feed line (31 a) extends near the container wall (34) and near the partition (18) above the grease layer (22) and is detachably mounted on the container wall (34), for example, by means of catch engagement elements (35).

9. A grease separator according to Claims 7 or 8, characterized in that stub lines (32) branch off downwards from the feed line (31, 31a) at interspaced points and slightly below the upper edge of the partition (16), each stub line carrying at least one spray nozzle (33) that can be swivelled round an approximately vertical axis.

10. A grease separator according to Claim 9, characterized in that the spray nozzles (33) have fishtail and/or fan jet nozzle openings with an approximately horizontal jet direction to produce horizontal flat jets (36).

11. A grease separator according to at least one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the feed line (31, 31 a) can be connected to a spray water source, preferably for heated spray water.

12. A grease separator according to at least one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that in the partition (16) provision is made between the sludge trap chamber (A) and the separator chamber (B) for a flap shutter (47) automatically closing towards the separator chamber (B).

13. A grease separator according to at least one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in the separator chamber (B), provision is made at a distance from the partition (16), designed as an overflow sill, for a wall (17) allowing flow beneath it; in that the drain (21) is separated from the separator chamber (B) by a wall (19) allowing flow beneath it; and in that an upper flow steadying zone is formed between the walls (17, 19).

14. A grease separator according to at least one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the bottom of the grease separator container is sloping towards the pump, characterized in that at the bottom (23) of the container (2), provision is made at least in the separator chamber (B) for a mechanical discharge appliance (42), preferably a conveyor belt type scraper conveyor, with its conveyance direction directed towards the pump (7).

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