Vortex Grit Removal

Grit includes sand, gravel, cinder, or any other heavy solid inorganic material in wastewater. Removing grit early in the treatment process greatly reduces abrasion and wear on pumps and other equipment. Grit removal also reduces grit accumulation in digesters, aeration basins, pipes, and channels. There are many types of grit removal systems such as vortex grit systems, detritus tanks, horizontal flow grit tanks, and aerated grit tanks. The grit removed from any of these types grit tanks is typically pumped to grit dewatering and cleaning systems. This fact sheet will describe the operation of one type of vortex grit removal system.