What is the difference between a Multi-Ceptor Interceptor and a standard grease interceptor?
They have the same purpose, which is to separate F.O.G. (Fats, Oil and Grease) from water being discharged into a public or private sewage infrastructure. The difference is that Multi-Ceptors can handle mixed waste streams, which means they can be installed outside the facility, on the sewer lateral.

What is the cost difference between installing a Multi-Ceptor and retrofitting my existing plumbing?
Installing a Multi-Ceptor system usually costs 30% to 40% less than retrofitting your existing plumbing, and you don’t have to shut down your facility to do it, which yields additional savings.

Isn’t it simpler just to retrofit my existing grease interceptor than to start from scratch with a whole new system?
The opposite is true. The beauty of Multi-Ceptor is its simplicity, and the fact that it is installed and operates outside your facility.

The old building codes required only a commercial kitchen’s dishwasher and three-compartment sink to be directed through a grease interceptor, which was usually mounted under the sink or dishwasher. New codes require that all kitchen wastewater be separated from human wastewater and routed through a grease interceptor. Before the Multi-Ceptor system, the only way to accomplish this was to tear up the floors inside the facility and reroute the plumbing, necessitating shut-down of the kitchen for the duration of the work.

Many complications associated with retrofitting make this task expensive and time-consuming: Often, if the standard grease interceptor is situated at a higher elevation than the drains that must now flow through it, the plumbing contractor has to tear out most of the existing plumbing and start over. Overhauling the plumbing often interferes with other utility lines (electrical conduits, water lines, coolant tower lines, etc.), making the job even more difficult. In some cases it’s necessary to install an entirely new sewer lateral. Creating new plumbing lines that meet code sometimes necessitates coring and penetrating of grade beams, tie beams, and structural piling caps, which can weaken the overall structural integrity of the building.

By contrast, the Multi-Ceptor system is simply installed on the existing sewer lateral outside the building, often under the parking lot or above-ground in an unobtrusive spot on the property. None of the internal fixtures need modification, because the Multi-Ceptor handles all the wastewater being discharged from the facility.

How much does a Multi-Ceptor cost?
The cost depends on the size of the Multi-Ceptor, as it does for standard grease interceptors. We’ll be happy to provide you a firm estimate based on the specific needs of your facility.

How does the long-term operational cost of a Multi-Ceptor compare to standard grease interceptors?
It’s less. Here’s why:

Standard grease interceptors must be pumped when the combined volume of surface grease and settled solids reaches 25% of the liquid capacity of the grease interceptor. They must be pumped completely to ensure all solids are removed. For example, if the depth of the grease interceptor is 48”, it must be pumped when grease and solids combine to equal a depth of 12”. If it takes two months for this to occur, then the standard interceptor must be pumped six times a year, even though the pumping company is extracting 75% water.

Because the Multi-Ceptor is designed to continually remove the settled solids from the bottom of the primary chamber and back into the sewage system, solids do not factor into the 25% rule. And because solids are not accumulating on the bottom, the pumping company is not required to remove the water, just the surface grease. These advantages mean less pumping and lower costs.

Why does a standard grease interceptor need to be pumped in its entirety if the Multi-Ceptor does not?

Because the decomposing solids that accumulate on the bottom of a standard grease interceptor lower pH levels and create a corrosive environment. Most standard grease interceptors have pH levels of around 2 or 3 at the end of a loading cycle. This corrosive environment can damage the interceptor itself, shortening its life span and generating repair or replacement costs.

In the Multi-Ceptor system, solids don’t settle and decompose, so corrosion does not occur. Therefore, it’s not necessary to pump the system in its entirety and the lifespan of the unit is likely to be much longer.

Does the Multi-Ceptor system smell as bad as a standard grease interceptor?
No. Decomposing solid waste creates the hydrogen sulfide gases that are the source of a grease interceptor’s intense odor. Solids do not accumulate in the Multi-Ceptor, so there is less odor during pumping.

How big is a Multi-Ceptor?
The size of the system will vary depending on the needs of the facility, but generally they are comparable in size to a standard grease interceptor, with a 25% larger liquid capacity. But since in many cases the system will be underground, it will be no more obtrusive than a few manholes in the parking lot.

How long does it take to install a Multi-Ceptor?
It varies, depending on the location of the installation and the ease-of-access to the sewer lateral. But generally, installing a Multi-ceptor system takes less than half the time it would take to retrofit standard grease interceptors. And, of course, there’s no facility downtime with Multi-Ceptor, because internal plumbing is not affected.

Is this system approved by the governing agencies?
During the design and patenting process, Multi-Ceptor was obligated to adhere to all Uniform Plumbing Code requirements as well as municipal plumbing and mechanical requeirements for public sewer systems. But, as municipalities range in their requirements, we invite you to inquire specifically with us, and to talk to your local regulatory departments.

Will installing a Multi-Ceptor bring my facility up to code?
Yes. Each Multi-Ceptor system will be specifically engineered to provide proper retention-time to allow FOG to co-metabolize in the system according to local discharge limits.

What happens if the system backs up?
Multi-Ceptor is a passive flow system, just like a standard grease interceptor. This means that the Multi-Ceptor itself will not be the cause of a blockage. If there is a blockage downstream of the Multi-Ceptor, the system’s grinder pumps pump the materials back into the system, triggering high-water alarms. At this point, the system automatically shuts itself down until water levels drop and the system can begin operating again. Passive flow ensures that water will keep flowing through the system whether it is operating or not.

What happens if the system breaks down?
Because the Multi-Ceptor is a passive flow system, the only parts subject to “breakdown” are the two grinder pumps in the primary chamber and the washback pump in the secondary chamber. If any of these were to fail, an alarm would sound and the control panel would indicate which pump had failed. The pump would simply be removed through the access manhole and replaced. The Multi-Ceptor would continue it’s passive flow operation even during the replacement procedure.

Are replacement parts expensive?
Multi-Ceptor is a new system, but its components are standard and readily available. The pumps, for example, are industry-standard commercial grinder pumps used in wastewater treatment plants all over the country. Their working load is much lighter in a Multi-Ceptor system, however, so their lifespan is much longer.

How can I be sure the Multi-Ceptor is the best solution for me?
Talk to us. Our engineers can answer every question you can think of regarding the Multi-Ceptor system, and then some. Let us study your facility and provide you with a detailed proposal explaining every step of the process. We’ll also be happy to provide you with testimonials from our clients, coverage we’ve received in the trade papers, and the endorsements and certifications we’ve received from plumbing and waste-management agencies.

FOG is a big problem; how to deal with it is a big decision. We’re confident you’ll discover that the Multi-Ceptor system is the best, most cost-effective and efficient solution for you.