FIG. 35.—Diagrammatic Section through a Grease Trap. ]
=60. Grease Traps.=—The presence of grease in sewers results in the formation of incrustations which are difficult to remove and which cause a material loss in the capacity of the sewer. The presence of oil and gasoline has resulted in violent and destructive explosions as is described in Chapter XII. A type of grease trap used on the drains from hotels, restaurants, or other large grease producing industries is shown in Fig. 35. The trap is similar to a catch-basin except that it is too small for a man to enter, and the outlet is necessarily trapped in order to prevent the escape of grease. The details of a gasoline and oil separator approved by the New York City Fire Department are shown in Fig. 36.[36]
=61. Flush-Tanks.=—These are devices to hold water used in flushing sewers. They are required only on sanitary and combined sewers. Their use tends to prevent the clogging of sewers laid on flat grades and permits flatter grades in construction than could otherwise be adopted. Flush-tanks may be operated either by hand or automatically. Automatic operation is more common than hand operation. The hand-operated tanks are similar to manholes so arranged that the inlet and outlet sewers can be plugged while the manhole or tank is being filled with water either from a hose or a special service connection. When sufficient water has been accumulated the outlet is opened and the sewer is flushed by the rush of water. A sluice gate, flap valve, or a specially fitted board is sufficient to fit over the mouth of the inlet and outlet during the filling of the tank. Such an arrangement has the advantage of being cheap, simple, and satisfactory, though somewhat crude. In some cases water is run into the tank at the same rate that it is discharged through the open outlet, maintaining a depth of 4 or 5 feet in the tank until the water passing the manhole below runs clean. The volume of water required by this method is large. Flushing water under a relatively high head is sometimes obtained by the use of tank wagons which are quickly emptied into the sewer through a canvas pipe dropped down a manhole. In all such cases if not well constructed the manhole is subject to caving due to the rush of water around the outlet. Precautions should be taken to minimize this danger by limiting the depth of water which may be accumulated. This can be done by constructing an overflow at a height of 4 or 5 feet above the bottom of the manhole, discharging into the sewer through an outside drain.