Separation Solutions for Power Generation, Transmission & Energy Facilities
Mercer delivers engineered oil/water separation and automated hydrocarbon management systems that keep power plants, substations, and energy facilities safe, compliant, and operational.
Talk to an Electrical Utility Specialist
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Many facilities still rely on outdated concrete vaults, undersized skim pits, CPI units, slotted-pipe “skimmers,” or makeshift trenches originally installed decades ago.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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INDUSTRY CHALLENGES
Treat turbine-bay drainage, gatehouse leaks, and powerhouse oily runoff while minimizing solids carry-through and protecting waterways.
Handle lube-oil leakage, compressor drainage, turbine washdowns, and sump water in highly variable flow conditions.
Remove oils and fines from coal pile runoff, conveyor/washdown water, and process-area drainage before it enters surface water or NPDES outfalls.
Manage controlled-area drainage, turbine lubricants, transformer leaks, and regulated wastewater streams with predictable, documented performance.
Capture fuel-oil spills, boiler house drainage, tank farm runoff, and oily sumps — automatically and with sealed emissions control.
Support wind, solar, and battery storage sites with containment and drainage solutions for transformer bays, inverter pads, and maintenance hubs.
Solution
Engineered for Critical Infrastructure, Proven Across the Grid
APPLICATION AREAS
Capture dielectric oil leaks, rain-induced sheen, and containment drainage automatically.
Remove free oils and particulates from turbine hall drainage, lube-oil sumps, and equipment washdowns.
Treat oily runoff from diesel, fuel-oil, and turbine-fuel storage areas.
Eliminate oil carryover from cooling water, condenser areas, and auxiliary equipment.
Manage oily solids, coal fines, and hydrocarbon sheens before discharge or reuse.
Handle first-flush loads and variable storm events with stable separation performance.
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
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.
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.
