What condition must a grease interceptor avoid to function properly?

To ensure proper functioning, a grease interceptor must avoid becoming air bound. This situation occurs when air becomes trapped within the interceptor, preventing wastewater from flowing smoothly. When air is trapped, it can create "cavitation," leading to inefficient separation of oils and grease from wastewater. The goal of a grease interceptor is to retain these substances for proper disposal while allowing the treated water to exit, so being air bound disrupts this critical process.

The other conditions, such as oversaturation, might suggest that the interceptor has exceeded its capacity to hold grease, leading to possible backflow or overflow, but it is primarily preventing air from entering the system that ensures continuous operation. While factors like temperature and water jackets may influence the efficiency of grease separation, they typically do not interfere with the fundamental function of flow, which is directly impacted when the unit becomes air bound.