The accurate determination of oil and grease content is fundamental for the effective design and operation of wastewater treatment systems. In both domestic and industrial settings, oil and grease concentrations can create significant challenges, impacting system efficiency and complicating sludge disposal. Understanding their presence and concentration ensures proactive management and compliance with environmental standards.
Grease is a broad term covering hydrocarbons, esters, oils, fats, waxes, and high molecular weight fatty acids—materials that are extracted using solvents like n-hexane. These substances not only have a distinctive greasy texture but are also directly linked to blockages, inefficiencies, and operational disruptions in wastewater treatment systems.
➡️ THIS APPLICATION NOTE ⬅️ describes the extraction and determination of oil and grease on wastewater samples, following the reference method EPA 1664 n-Hexane Extractable Material by Extraction and Gravimetry. The waste water sample is acidified with hydrochloric acid and extracted using the Randall method, an accelerated and more efficient version of traditional Soxhlet extraction. After the extract has been dried to a constant weight, the amount of oil and grease is determined gravimetrically.