New tech blocks 98% harmful kitchen fats from clogging sewers

Researchers at RMIT University in Australia have developed an innovative wastewater treatment system that removes up to 98% of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from commercial kitchen wastewater, significantly outperforming traditional grease traps that typically capture only about 40%. The new design incorporates baffles inside a grease interceptor to slow the flow and separate larger fat particles, combined with a small dose of alum to clump smaller, suspended fats for easier removal. This approach effectively targets all fat types, including hard-to-remove emulsified fats, and has proven successful under real-world conditions such as high temperatures and detergent-heavy wastewater. The technology offers a scalable and cost-effective solution that can be retrofitted to existing grease management systems, aiming to prevent fatbergs—solid masses of FOG that clog sewers and cause costly maintenance and environmental issues. Beyond infrastructure benefits, the system helps reduce sewage spills that pollute streets and waterways. The research team, led by Drs. Biplob Pramanik and Nil