2024 journal article
Fat, Oil, and Grease Sewer Waste Management System: A Modeling Platform for Simulating the Formation of FOG Deposits in Sewer Networks
Journal of Environmental Engineering.
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
(Web of Science)
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
(Web of Science)
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
(Web of Science)
Source: ORCID
Added: February 14, 2024
The accumulation of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposits in sanitary sewer systems is a global issue responsible for billions of dollars in annual maintenance costs, environmental impact, and public health concerns. Laboratory and data-driven studies have explored the physical and chemical characteristics of FOG deposits, formation kinetics, and factors influencing their accumulation in sewer networks, such as pipe sags, pipe age, and pipe material. However, a scalable modeling platform capable of incorporating FOG kinetics and the key variables driving accumulation is not currently available. This study introduces a new platform for modeling the formation and attachment of FOG deposits in sewer systems, the FOG Sewer Waste Management System (FOG-SWMS). FOG-SWMS was utilized to quantify the impact of pipe sags, pipe age and roughness, and pipe material on the accumulation of FOG deposits in sewer lines. Results indicate that under typical sewer conditions, pipe sags and pipe age may increase the accumulation of FOG deposit mass by as much as approximately 23% and 150%, respectively. Surface pH≥8, as a proxy for cementitious pipe materials, also resulted in more than a 172% increase in FOG deposit mass accumulation. These results confirm data from previous laboratory studies and machine learning algorithms, and also provide a mechanistic explanation of formation processes. Two full-scale sewer network case studies, Study Area 1 (SA1) and Study Area 2 (SA2), were analyzed using FOG-SWMS, to evaluate the predictive capability of the model to identify FOG deposit accumulation zones. FOG-SWMS successfully predicted approximately 85% and 73% of known accumulation zones in SA1 and SA2, respectively. Significant changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of FOG deposits in response to new commercial and residential development also were demonstrated with the model.