Mercer delivers enhanced-gravity oil/solids separation systems engineered for the extreme reliability, documentation, and safety requirements of nuclear generating stations, from turbine lube-oil systems to auxiliary building drainage and protected-area sumps.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
Nuclear power plants operate with some of the strictest requirements for wastewater handling, equipment reliability, and environmental protection. Oily wastewater flows originate from turbine and generator lube-oil systems, auxiliary building equipment, pump seals, fuel-handling areas, machinery drainage, maintenance washdowns, HVAC condensate, and outdoor containment structures.
Many facilities still rely on aging CPI units, corrugated packs, slotted-pipe skimmers, or improvised vaults built decades ago. These systems were never designed for today’s operating conditions, updated environmental standards, or the level of documentation nuclear facilities must maintain. When surfactants from decontamination processes, metal fines, chemical cleaners, or solids enter the system, legacy separators clog, short-circuit, or send sheens to monitored outfalls that can trigger investigations, documentation burdens, or unplanned corrective actions.
Mercer prevents these failures.
Our Compliance Master™ separators with Multi-Pack™ coalescer technology provide stable, repeatable performance that is easy to monitor, automate, and document. With sealed construction, automated oil removal, timed solids purging, and predictable droplet capture, Mercer ensures nuclear facilities maintain clean, compliant drainage systems with minimal operator intervention and maximum traceability.
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
Mercer brings traceable, compliant, and highly predictable performance to nuclear wastewater systems by controlling velocity, stabilizing hydraulics, and automating removal processes.
Mercer separators capture 3× smaller droplets than CPI units and do so consistently, something that is essential for nuclear QA/QC documentation.
Electromechanical skimming eliminates the need for manual steps, ensuring continuous, repeatable product removal without operator intervention.
Prevent sludge accumulation and maintain performance with automated hopper-bottom discharge control.
Airtight lids and vapor-containment packages reduce vaporseepage and eliminate exposure concerns inside controlled-area buildings.
Materials and coatings are selected to withstand detergents, solvents, cleaning chemicals, and warm lube-oil drainage.
Multi-Pack™ modules can be dropped into existing sumps or vaults, improving performance without breaking containment structures or interrupting plant operations.
APPLICATION AREAS
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
MERCER ADVANTAGE
Performance consistency matters more in nuclear than anywhere else. Mercer delivers separation that stands up to audits.
Sealed covers, reduced operator exposure, and automated functions align with nuclear operational standards.
CPI systems collapse under chemical variability, solids loads, and aging infrastructure. Mercer maintains rise paths and stable hydraulics.
No manual skimming, no hand-cleaning plates, and no emergency pit emptying.
Ideal for auxiliary buildings, turbine halls, and protected areas where access is limited.
Longer intervals between maintenance, fewer corrective actions, and lower waste-handling requirements.
Yes, performance is stable and repeatable, supporting QA/QC logs, environmental reports, and regulatory audits.
Yes. Controlled flow geometry maintains performance where CPI plates would collapse.
Yes, sealed covers and controlled emissions make Mercer suitable for indoor, sensitive locations.
Automated purge cycles and hopper-bottom geometry prevent sludge buildup and maintain separation efficiency.
No. Automated floating oil recovery eliminates manual skimming entirely.
Often yes. Multi-Pack™ modules can drop into existing pits or vaults with minimal civil impact.
