PROJECT C-4
Sewerage Treatment Projects
MWRA Pump Station, Quincy, MA
PROBLEM:
Rapid grease buildup in wet well
The MWRA Quincy Pump Station had for years experienced a rapid grease
buildup in the wet well (6 inches or more every few days). Left
unchecked, the fats, oils, and grease (FOG) eventually became several
feet thick, requiring physical removal (high pressure hose, hand
shoveling into vacuum hoses) a potentially hazardous working
environment. The average wastewater flows at the facility were 7.5
million gallons/day.
SOLUTION:
MicroSorb® Microbes, MicroSorb® OW and MicroBlue® disintegrate grease cap
In March, 2000 personnel at the Pump Station began treating the grease
buildup with MicroSorb® Microbes,
MicroSorb® OW (a nutrient which has an extremely high
oxygen content), and MicroBlue®, a biodegradable
surfactant. Within two weeks, the grease cap began to disintegrate,
the walls of the wet well began to appear free of grease, and flow of
wastewater was unimpeded.
The microbes attacked the oil and grease compounds, converting the
insoluble FOG to water soluble fatty acids. The microbes continued to
"clean" the entire wet well, i.e., piping, bricks, grates, and
target. Microbes go wherever there is a food source (FOG) and
moisture. MicroSorb® OW provided the microbes with a
most favorable environment to multiply and devour the FOG. The
MicroBlue® emulsified the FOG, making the FOG molecules
more bioavailable.
RESULTS:
Wet well was cleaned in four weeks
In four weeks, the wet well was cleaned using only 75 pounds of
MicroSorb® ER, 55 gallons of MicroSorb®
OW and 15 gallons of MicroBlue®. The Pump Station is
now on an automated system applying MicroSorb® OW,
MicroBlue®, and Microsorb® ER at rates
designed to eliminate grease buildup.
Download the MicroSorb Brochure