Slamfången

Slamfången is a term used in Swedish wastewater engineering to designate a sludge trap or sedimentation chamber installed in a pipe, tank, or channel to capture heavier solids and prevent them from moving on with the flow. It serves as a preliminary solids separation point in a drainage or treatment system.

The device works by providing a chamber where flow velocity is reduced; solids settle to the bottom or into a dedicated pocket, from which they can be removed during maintenance. Some designs include baffles or a sloping bottom to improve settlement and make sludge easier to extract. In many installations, access openings allow inspection and periodic cleaning.

Applications for slamfången include septic systems, grease interceptors, inflows to clarifiers, stormwater treatment devices, and inline sewer lines. By removing solids early, they protect pumps, reduce wear on downstream equipment, and improve the efficiency of subsequent treatment stages.

Maintenance requirements are driven by system size and solids load. The trapped sludge must be removed periodically, and the chamber inspected for leaks or blockages. Proper maintenance scheduling and safe access are essential to prevent overfull chambers and to maintain performance.

Design and materials vary. Slamfången can be cast-in-place concrete, prefabricated plastic, or steel components and are typically integrated with access hatches for inspection and sludge removal. They may be passive devices or include mechanical components in more complex installations. Disposal of collected sludge should follow local regulations. See also: sludge trap, sedimentation tank.