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.
Challenges
Every discharge point, controlled-area sump, and auxiliary drain must meet measurable, auditable standards. Legacy CPI systems rarely deliver repeatable performance.
Nuclear stations cannot tolerate unexpected equipment failures, unplanned cleanouts, or emergent maintenance due to fouled media.
Turbine and generator systems produce fine particulate that sinks oil, clogs CPI plates, and forms difficult-to-remove sludge beds.
Open pits and uncovered separators allow vapor release which is unacceptable in high-safety industrial environments.
Auxiliary and turbine buildings often have limited room for new civil structures, requiring compact, drop-in solutions.
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
Capture and remove hydrocarbon leakage with high efficiency and stable oil-layer control.
Treat oily water from pumps, seals, mechanical equipment, and maintenance operations.
Manage sheen-forming oils and solids while supporting traceable compliance documentation.
Handle water containing detergents, cleaners, metal fines, and suspended solids.
Treat mixed flows from condenser areas, HVAC systems, and associated equipment.
Control hydrocarbons and suspended solids at regulated discharge points.
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.
