Mercer delivers engineered oil/water separation and automated hydrocarbon management systems that keep power plants, substations, and energy facilities safe, compliant, and operational.
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INDUSTRY INSIGHT
Electrical utilities face some of the most complicated oily-water challenges of any industrial sector. Transformer leaks, lube-oil drainage, turbine washdowns, fuel-handling runoff, stormwater, coal pile leachate, and equipment-bay containment all produce oily wastewater that must be captured, treated, and kept out of the environment.
Many facilities still rely on outdated concrete vaults, undersized skim pits, CPI units, slotted-pipe “skimmers,” or makeshift trenches originally installed decades ago. These systems clog, blind, and overflow — especially when solids, emulsions, or fuel-oil sheens enter the mix. The result is unpredictable discharge quality, heavy maintenance, and regulatory exposure.
Mercer eliminates that cycle.
Our enhanced-gravity separators with Multi-Pack™ coalescer technology deliver consistent removal of oils and solids in real time — automatically, without operator intervention, and with airtight emissions control. From aging hydro plants to modern gas turbine facilities, Mercer equips utilities with predictable separation performance, reduced labor, and compliance confidence.
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ENERGY INDUSTRIES
Why Mercer
APPLICATION AREAS
INDUSTRY CHALLENGES
Older vaults, pits, and slotted-pipe systems foul quickly and cannot maintain proper rise time or water column stability.
Storm events, turbine washdowns, or lube-oil system failures overwhelm CPI tanks and basic separators.
Utilities handle grit, fines, coal dust, and suspended solids — perfect conditions for fouled media in old systems.
EPA NPDES, SPCC, and state waterboard requirements demand documented, repeatable oil-removal performance.
Open pits and tanks release vapors, complicating air-quality compliance and operator safety.
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
MERCER ADVANTAGE
Power plants demand predictable performance and Mercer delivers systems that remain stable regardless of load, solids, or weather.
Enhanced-gravity separation that exceeds the 150-micron limitation of open-weir devices.
No confined-space skimming, no manual desludging, no “fishing for oil.”
Extend maintenance intervals, eliminate sludge buildup, and reduce hauling frequency.
Repeatable performance for SPCC, NPDES, and state discharge requirements.
Sealed lids and vapor-control packages tackle VOC/odor issues and operator exposure, a growing mandate in utility operations.
Mercer systems capture 3× smaller droplets, maintain stable hydraulics, prevent media blinding, and automate oil/solids removal.
Yes. Multi-Pack™ modules drop into many existing structures, turning non-compliant pits into automated separators.
Enhanced-gravity designs maintain performance even under shock loads, unlike CPI tanks that flood or short-circuit.
Absolutely. They capture dielectric oils efficiently and can integrate with substation containment plans.
Airtight covers, vapor-capture options, and sealed skimming prevent VOC/odor release and improve plant safety.
No. Mercer’s controlled-flow geometry and plate spacing resist blinding and maintain clean rise paths.
No. Automated skimming, timed purge cycles, and SCADA connectivity reduce daily tasks to near zero.
Yes. Automation and alarm packages make Mercer ideal for low-staff or remote power installations.
