Mercer provides enhanced-gravity separators engineered to manage transformer oil, hydraulic fluid leakage, equipment washdowns, and stormwater-driven oily runoff across renewable energy sites, supporting compliance, safety, and operational reliability.
Explore Applications Below
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
While often perceived as “clean” installations, renewable energy sites generate oily wastewater from several hidden but critical sources. Transformer bays at solar farms, nacelle gearboxes on wind turbines, hydraulic systems, inverter pads, battery energy storage system (BESS) cooling circuits, and substation switchgear all produce lubricants, dielectric oils, and maintenance washdowns that can create hydrocarbon-contaminated drainage.
As these sites scale in size, stormwater becomes the primary transport mechanism, spreading sheens, fines, and lubricants into containment areas, equipment pads, or regulated discharge points. Many installations rely on gravel trenches, simple pits, passive filters, or undersized CPI units that were never designed to manage real hydrocarbon loads. The result: inconsistent discharge quality, plugged media, and growing scrutiny from regulators and environmental stakeholders.
Mercer brings predictability to these systems.
Our Compliance Master™ separators and Multi-Pack™ coalescer systems provide stable, automated oil removal and solids handling, even in remote or lightly staffed renewable sites. Compact footprints and low-maintenance operation make Mercer systems ideal for decentralized assets and sites without full-time operators.
Challenges
Dielectric oils mixed with dust and fines overwhelm passive trenches and basic skimmers.
Nacelle gearbox oils and hydraulic leaks are carried off turbine pads by stormwater, creating sheens and solids/oil mixtures.
Oil-bearing coolant mixtures and trace hydrocarbons require predictable separation to protect containment systems.
Fine particulate, washdowns, and lubricants foul passive media systems quickly.
Large, paved, or gravel areas produce sudden surges that bypass or overload CPI and passive separators.
Systems must operate automatically with minimal intervention and robust solids/oil management.
Solution
Mercer equips renewable energy sites with reliable, automated separation solutions that tolerate variability in flow, solids, and hydrocarbon content.
Captures 3× smaller droplets than legacy systems, ideal for dielectric oil leaks and lubricants.
Electromechanical skimming removes oils continuously, preventing collapse under solid loads or temperature variations.
Hopper-bottom designs and automated valves prevent filler, dust, and soil from burying removal systems.
Airtight lids keep dust, insects, leaves, and debris out, critical for outdoor renewable installations.
Ideal for solar farms, inverter pads, and modular renewable facilities with limited space.
Low-maintenance design and SCADA/remote monitoring options support decentralized operations.
APPLICATION AREAS
Treat dielectric oil runoff and washdowns, preventing sheens at stormwater outfalls.
Handle gearbox oil, hydraulic leaks, cleaning fluids, and stormwater-borne lubrication residues.
Manage coolant-oil mixtures and drainage around liquid-cooled battery units
Capture oils from equipment drips and prevent solids-induced carryover.
Treat mixed hydrocarbons from repairs, washing, and handling lubricants.
Provide consistent separation during surge conditions and variable rainfall events.
MERCER ADVANTAGE
Perfect for solar farms and wind sites with minimal on-site personnel.
Passive trenches clog quickly, and CPI units collapse under solids and temperature variability — Mercer does not.
Sealed, debris-resistant systems maintain hydraulic integrity in harsh conditions.
Mercer maintains consistent separation during surge events and seasonal changes.
Supporting ESG, sustainability reporting, and regulatory compliance.
Reduced solids buildup, less hauling, fewer service intervals, and dependable uptime.
Yes, they capture small droplets and maintain performance even with windborne dust and debris.
Absolutely. Automated skimming, timed purges, and remote monitoring make them ideal for unmanned locations.
Mercer separators maintain stable separation even during heavy rainfall and first-flush events.
Yes, materials and flow geometry support mixed hydrocarbon/coolant separation.
Often no. Mercer modules can retrofit into existing sumps or pads with minimal civil work.
Yes, they prevent debris infiltration, maintain hydraulics, and control odor/VOC emissions.
