On the surface, it might seem harmless enough: hot fats, oils and grease from cooking are poured down the drain in liquid form and disappear just as water does, right?
Wrong, say three researchers from our department. Fats, oils and grease (often shortened to FOG) become hardened deposits in pipes and sewer systems. Even worse, they can trap non-biodegradable solids, such as wet wipes, creating a mass over time that can cause backups and spills.
Read more about the research of Drs. Joel Ducoste, Francis de los Reyes, and Tarek Aziz in this article that recently appeared in the College of Engineering’s Alumni magazine.