design center

40 Years as the Industry’s Highest-Performing
Oil–Water Separator

Mercer's Definition of "High Performance"

High Performance, Defined

Mercer believes high performance in Oil–Water–Solids Separation means Sustained Removal Efficiencies Over Long Periods of time, without the constant shutdown of equipment caused by clogging and fouling. With longer run times between cleanings and internals that never require replacement, Mercer systems deliver unparalleled OPEX reductions, saving customers millions of dollars annually.

Trusted For Decades By

Root Cause

Why Most Separators Fail Over Time

- and why “cheaper” systems cost more in the long run

Conventional separators tick boxes, not performance goals. Corrugated plastic media clogs,crumbles, and caves.. And when oil, solids, and time mix, you get one guaranteed outcome - Sludge.

Oil + Solids + Time = Sludge™

Removing oil from water is the objective—but solids are the real problem. Even at low concentrations, solids accumulate, bind with oil, and form sludge that plugs and fouls conventional coalescers.

Mercer eliminates this failure mode by addressing solids before they become a performance liability, preventing chronic plugging and maintaining stable separation performance over long operating cycles

Explore (and expose) Coalescer Shortfalls

An Engineered Pack, Not a Tank Jammed Pack

Because Good Enough is Not Good Enough

We watched others cut corners—cheap materials, prefab shortcuts, and designs that ignore real process data—and we refused to follow them there. Mercer is never the cheapest, but we are always the least expensive, because uptime, longevity, and lifecycle cost matter more than clipped CAPEX. We engineer systems correctly from the start so you never have to replace internals, fund consumables, or feed a business model built on breakdowns. We back every performance claim with transparent, long-hand calculations grounded in first-principles engineering. 

Explore The Mercer Advantage in Greater Detail

3–5× longer maintenance intervals

25 + year service life 

API 421 driven compliance. NO EXCEPTIONS

Absolutely Zero Replacement Parts or Consumables

Absolutely Zero Replacement Parts or Consumables

Solutions By Configuration

Proven Solutions for Every Separation Challenge.

Mercer doesn’t sell equipment by the piece; we deliver complete systems that restore performance, extend service life, and simplify maintenance. Explore our core product families - each engineered for long-term ROI and peace of mind.

Above Ground Oil Water Separators

API 421 compliant, custom-built for your process.

Below Ground Oil Water Separators

Steel, Concrete, plastic.

Retrofit & Upgrade Solutions

Bring aging systems back to spec without replacement.

Specialty Separation / Filtration Equipment

Condition and complement our trusted technology.

Piloting/Rental Units

Proof of performance skids, lease to own, and temporary systems

Separation Services

Free site audits, engineering/design, testing, cleaning, and Systems as a Service


We do it all. view it all.

Free Site Audits. No Obligation. No Sales Pitch.

We evaluate your system — not your budget.

Schedule Your Audit

INDUSTRIES WE SERVE

Trusted Where Uptime and Compliance is Non-Negotiable.

Mercer systems run in environments where failure is not an option. We partner with operators and engineers in industries where performance and proof matter most.

Oil & Gas

Upstream

Midstream

Downstream

Oil Sands

Saltwater Disposal Wells

Battling drilling muds, flowback waters, and de-salter reject. Preventing pipeline upsets and refinery oil sewage.

Electric Utilities

Hydroelectric

Combined Cycle

Coal

Nuclear

Renewables

When reliability is non-negotiable, Mercer’s separators deliver. Designed for electrical generation and utility infrastructure, our systems handle high-volume stormwater runoff and oil contamination to protect equipment, maintain environmental compliance, and minimize outages.

Transportation

Airports

Rail Yards

Vehicle Maintenance

Parking Facilities

In high-traffic environments, oil spills and washdown runoff can quickly become compliance and safety issues. Mercer’s separators are engineered to perform under load — controlling sheen, preventing discharge violations, and keeping transportation facilities safe and operational.

Mining

Runoff Management

Remediation Sites

Large Municipal Systems

From urban MS4 infrastructure to large-capacity detention systems, Mercer’s separators help cities and facilities meet NPDES and stormwater discharge standards. Our modular, field-serviceable designs fit easily into constrained sites and integrate seamlessly with existing drainage systems.

Food & Beverage

Chemical Plants

Refineries

Storage Terminals

Cooling Water Systems

Petrochemical operations demand high-efficiency separation under extreme conditions. Mercer’s engineered systems handle heavy hydrocarbon loads typical of chemical and refining facilities. Our designs help plants meet discharge limits, protect process equipment, and reduce maintenance downtime.

Military & Defense

Vehicle Wash Bays

Airbases

Bilge Treatment

Test Facilities

Mercer systems are battle-tested. Corrosion-resistant, rugged, and reliable, they meet stringent performance and environmental requirements for defense installations worldwide. Designed for rapid deployment, easy maintenance, and long-term durability in demanding environments.

MEASURABLE ROI

Run the Numbers.
The Numbers Don’t Lie.

Cheap equipment is the most expensive mistake you’ll ever make.

Absolutely Zero Replacement Parts or Consumables

Absolutely Zero Replacement Parts or Consumables

Absolutely Zero Replacement Parts or Consumables

roi party point

2.5 Years

The point where the savings in maintenance overtake the niatial cost difference.

25-year savings

$725k

Total accumulated savings over typical lifespan of the equipment.

Maintenance Events

Cleanings Over 2 Years

Conventional

24+

Mercer

2–3 typical

A 400 GPM unit cut maintenance costs from $120k to $7k per year, saving over $725k in total.

Equipment Longevity

Media Replacements (2-Years)

Conventional

6-8

Mercer

0

Most installations reach ROI parity within 2.5 years and keep paying dividends through uptime.

Total OpEx Savings

Total 25-Year Operating Cost

Conventional

$120k/Year

Mercer

$7k/Year

Mercer’s engineered systems deliver measurable ROI — not marketing math. Built to last, designed to save.

INDUSTRIES WE SERVE

The Right Tools for the Right People.

Whether you design, maintain, or justify the system, Mercer equips you to make the case. Our resources speak your language - technical, operational, and financial.

Engineers want to see microns.

Microns only matter when they are backed by math, hydraulics, and a separator design that can actually deliver them under real operating conditions.

Purchasers want to see OPEX coupons.

Lower operating cost only exists when a system avoids blinding, excessive cleanouts, consumables, and unplanned downtime over its full service life.

Operators want to see an OWS they can rely on.

Reliability comes from stable flow control, solids tolerance, and equipment that can be inspected, cleaned, and put back online without drama.

PROVEN RESULTS

Case Studies / Proof

Maintenance cut 67 %

Proven in High-Stakes Environments

When New York City’s Con Edison needed to modernize aging separation systems, they chose Mercer. Result: maintenance cut by 67 % in under two years and full API 421 compliance restored. Different industries, same outcome — no surprises, no shutdowns, no compromises.

Maintenance cut 67 %

Proven in High-Stakes Environments

When New York City’s Con Edison needed to modernize aging separation systems, they chose Mercer. Result: maintenance cut by 67 % in under two years and full API 421 compliance restored. Different industries, same outcome — no surprises, no shutdowns, no compromises.

Maintenance cut 67 %

Proven in High-Stakes Environments

When New York City’s Con Edison needed to modernize aging separation systems, they chose Mercer. Result: maintenance cut by 67 % in under two years and full API 421 compliance restored. Different industries, same outcome — no surprises, no shutdowns, no compromises.

KNOWLEDGE BASE

Proof Over Promises. Knowledge You Can Use.

We don’t just sell separators - we teach the science behind them. Our library of white papers, videos, and training tools helps engineers specify better and operators maintain smarter.

WHITE PAPERS

Oil + Solids + Time = Sludge™, API 421 Compliance Gaps.

Download

WHITE PAPERS

Understanding The True Cost of Ownership

DOwnload

RETROFIT REALITY

Don’t Replace It - Reclaim It.

Mercer retrofits deliver instant performance gains without replacing tankage. Drop-in Multi-Pack™ internals and flow distribution baffles restore efficiency and extend service life for a fraction of replacement cost. If your system performs for a flash and then falls flat, this is your fastest fix.

 Gut Check (Translated: will our guts fit the bill inside your tank)

ENGINEERED INTEGRITY

Integrity Isn’t a Tagline. It’s a Design Parameter.

For 40 years, Mercer has been trusted by utilities and industrial operators who value one thing above all else - truth in performance. We don’t take every project because we won’t bend the math to win a bid. When you work with Mercer, you get an engineered solution that earns its place and keeps it for decades.

meet the mercer team

We care more—and our customers choose us because they do too. They care about uptime, reliability, and the long-term cost of ownership. They care about the real math behind removal calculations, and they want it from a process design company—not a seller of tanks. We care more, and we own the outcome of every sale.

TALK TO AN ENGINEER

Ready to Solve Your Separator Challenges for Good?

Whether you’re designing new or fighting constant cleanouts, Mercer helps you stop reacting and start performing. Download our API 421 Spec Guide, design your custom unit, or request a free on-site audit to see how better engineering pays for itself.

Start your design

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