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Above-Ground Oil-Water Separators

20 & 30 GPM | ~5–7 m³/h | ~274–411 BPD

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OPERATING TIER

Overview

Mercer’s low-flow separator series delivers industrial-duty performance in a compact footprint, incorporating the same proven features as Mercer’s standard separators that have built the company’s strong reputation for reliability. These units are widely used in vehicle wash operations, automotive repair shops, dealerships, transportation agencies, and utilities as stand-alone treatment or as primary treatment ahead of larger systems, valued for dependable operation and ease of maintenance. They have also been successfully applied across diverse industries, including scrap yards, chemical and fertilizer processing, boiler and bilge water treatment, hydraulic fluid leakage control, and food and beverage processing for grease, fat, and oil removal.

This low-flow family is an ideal candidate for Mercer’s Test For Free and Guarantee program. Its proven design, predictable performance, and straightforward installation allow customers to evaluate real-world results with minimal risk, while its versatility and consistent treatment outcomes make it well suited to quickly demonstrate value and build confidence for broader adoption.

Built To Scale

Installed in Real Operating Environments

At this scale, separators are no longer “background equipment.”

The installations shown represent Mercer systems operating in the 20–30 GPM range at facilities where wastewater treatment is part of daily operations and reliability matters.

20 GPM Configuration

30 GPM Configuration

Designer Notes (not customer-facing):
Images in this section should show:

  • Full system installations
  • Service and inspection access
  • Inlet and outlet piping context
  • Active industrial, fleet, or utility environments

Please Note: Exact materials, dimensions, and configurations vary by application. Carbon steel construction is typically introduced at higher flow ranges where structural requirements dictate.

FIELD-PROVEN SYSTEMS

Installed at Facilities Operated By

A small sampling of companies with Mercer separators operating within the 20–30 GPM family range.

JCPL

New Jersey

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

Soto-Cano AFB

Honduras

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

Groton Sub Base

Connecticut

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

UPS

New York

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

Penske

Washington

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

Northern California Power Authority

California

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

Raytheon

Texas

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

Florida Gas Transmission

Louisiana

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

PetroStar

Alaska

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

TRUSTED BY INDUSTRY LEADERS

Installed at Facilities Operated By

A small sampling of companies with Mercer separators operating within the 5–10 GPM family range.

ENGINEERED TO SOLVE

What “20–30 GPM” Represents at Scalee

Flow rate is a label. Operating scale is the reality.

20 GPM ≈ 28,800 gallons per day ≈ 686 barrels per day ≈ 5 m³/h

30 GPM ≈ 43,200 gallons per day ≈ 1,029 barrels per day ≈ 7 m³/h

CORE TECHNOLOGY

The Heart of the System: The Multi-Pack™ Coalescer

A tank provides residence time.
Separation performance is determined by what happens inside the coalescer.

Mercer’s Multi-Pack™ coalescer is not generic media. It is a purpose-engineered separation system built around five core design elements that control oil rise, solids shedding, hydraulic stability, and real-world maintainability—especially in applications where small systems are easy to ignore until they fail.

1. Flat, Steep-Angled Plates

The Multi-Pack™ uses flat, steep-angled plates rather than corrugated or honeycomb media. Flat plates support predictable droplet capture while allowing solids to shed cleanly instead of lodging in pockets that quietly choke performance over time.

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2. Field-Adjustable Plate Spacing

Plate spacing can be adjusted beyond or below standard spacing to tune separation performance to actual conditions—oil type, temperature and viscosity effects, solids behavior, and desired maintenance intervals.

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3. Herringbone Plate Configuration

Plates are arranged in a herringbone configuration that organizes internal flow paths and segregates areas where oils rise from areas where solids settle. This stabilizes hydraulics when flows cycle on and off, which is common in low-GPM applications.

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4. Dedicated Chimney Zones for Oil and Solids

As oil coalesces and solids shed from the plates, they enter dedicated Chimney Zones™ designed for separation—not turbulence. These quiescent chambers allow oils to rise and solids to settle without re-entrainment, even during solids spikes.

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5. Ease of Cleaning with No Replacement Parts

The Multi-Pack™ is fully removable as a single assembly. Operators can remove the pack, visually inspect it, clean it, and return it to service without dismantling internals or replacing disposable media.

There has never been a Multi-Pack™ removed from a tank where operators could not see through to the opposite side before cleaning begins. Surface films may be present. Clogged pockets are not.

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Why This Matters

At this flow range, separators often appear to work—until they don’t.

In the 20–30 GPM range, separators don’t typically fail suddenly—they fade. Fouling accumulates, oil removal drops, maintenance escalates, and uncertainty replaces confidence, often while the system remains in service with compromised internals.

The Multi-Pack™ is built to stop that progression. With predictable solids shedding, stable oil capture, and full visual access for inspection and cleaning, it ensures separation performance is provable and recoverable—not assumed.

Problems This Family Is Designed to Solve

Solids Fouling in Traditional Coalescers

At this flow range, recurring solids loading quickly fouls corrugated plastic or tube-style media, reducing separation efficiency and making cleaning impractical.

Escalating Maintenance Burden

Systems without solids removal considerations require frequent monitoring, disruptive cleanouts, or early replacement to maintain performance.

Misapplied “Good Enough” Designs

Separators selected strictly by nameplate flow often perform briefly and fail once real-world conditions—solids, temperature, oil variability—assert themselves.

Applications Where This Family Has Been Deployed

Fleet & Transit Operations

Fleet maintenance and wash facilities generate oil-laden wastewater with recurring solids loading. Mercer systems are selected to remain serviceable between cleanings while maintaining discharge compliance.

Industrial & Utility Facilities

Light-to-moderate industrial processes and utility support areas require predictable separation performance without constant operator attention.

Additional Applications

This family has also been applied in fuel handling areas, service depots, and municipal support facilities where access and long-term reliability drive equipment selection.

Audit. Measure. Design. Test. Guarantee.

All at no cost to you.

We walk your site, capture real influent data if needed, engineer a custom separator from your worst-case scenario, and validate performance before fabrication. Only after the data confirms it do we issue a written guarantee. That’s how risk is removed.

Start With Confidence

PROVEN LONGEVITY

Legacy Installations in Active Service

Engineered for Service Life

A significant number of Mercer systems in the 20–30 GPM range have been in service for decades and continue operating without interruption. These systems remain fully functional, managing oil and solids under actual process conditions.

This longevity is driven by internal components designed for handling solids, consistent oil removal, and the absolute lowest maintenance over time—not disposal or replacement of plastic junk.

Designer Notes (not customer-facing):
Captions or rollovers may include:

  • Installed year
  • Application
  • Customer

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

Above Ground

20 & 30 GPM

INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS

Applications Where This Family
Has Been Deployed

Above-ground oil-water separators in the 400–600 GPM range are deployed in operations where wastewater treatment is continuous, not intermittent, and where solids loading, oil characteristics, and maintenance access determine long-term performance more than nominal flow rate.

Heavy Industrial & Process Facilities

Large industrial plants generate continuous oil-bearing wastewater with sustained solids loading from production, washdown, and process support activities. At this scale, Mercer systems are selected for durability, full access to internals, and predictable long-term performance under non-ideal operating conditions.

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Energy & Oil Handling Operations

Upstream, midstream, and downstream facilities rely on Mercer separators to manage high-volume wastewater where oil type, temperature, and solids vary over time. These applications demand stable separation performance through changing operating cycles and extended run times.

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Utility & Infrastructure Operations

Major utility facilities, maintenance yards, and infrastructure hubs require separators capable of continuous operation with minimal downtime. Mercer systems are applied where access for inspection and cleaning is critical to maintaining compliance and protecting downstream assets.

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Transportation & Logistics Facilities

Large transportation hubs, fueling terminals, and logistics centers generate high-volume wastewater from fueling, equipment washing, and maintenance operations. Reliable separation and serviceability are essential to sustaining operations and avoiding unplanned shutdowns.

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Next Step

If you are evaluating separators in this flow range, the fastest way to determine suitability is to review your actual operating conditions—not assumed averages.

Talk to Mercer about your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.

How often does the Multi-Pack™ require cleaning?

A.

Cleaning frequency depends on solids loading and operating conditions. The removable design allows rapid inspection and cleaning without extended downtime.

Q.

Is this family suitable for stormwater?

A.

Yes, when solids loading and site conditions are properly evaluated.

Q.

What effluent levels can be expected?

A.

In many applications, Mercer systems achieve 5–10 ppm free hydrocarbons. Performance depends on influent characteristics.

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