Quite simply, an amalgam separator is a mercury collection device that sits ‘inline’ between the operatory and vacuum pump—typically in the equipment room. Dental waste water flows through the vacuum line and passes through the amalgam separator where teeth fragments, dental amalgam and mercury are separated and collected. The filtered water continues to flow through while heavy waste and sediment is stored. When the container reaches the full line or 12 months (whichever comes first), we ship you a new container and you ship the full one for proper recycling. Plain and simple.
Source: solmetex.com