Total concept

Mercatus' total concept is a complete solution for the purification and recirculation of fluids such as cutting fluids and washwater as well as the handling and recycling of metal swarf.

Our concept for the finishing industry is a closed system for process fluids and swarf management.

In the Mercatus concept, cutting fluids are purified and recirculated, i.e. particles and swarf are continually filtered out of the cutting fluid system. Separated particles and swarf are drained and compressed into briquettes. The cutting fluid obtained through compression is returned to the cutting fluid system and the briquettes are sold for recycling. The concept also includes purification of different types of oily water, such as used washwater, in order to minimise the amount of fluid sent for destruction. Since the Mercatus concept uses no consumables, the only “waste” is pure filling water and recyclable briquettes.

The system has no limitation. It can be installed in all types of workshops, regardless of size or number of machines. Each solution is unique and the technology is customised to the specific needs and requirements of each customer. Investing in effective process fluid purification is profitable from many angles, particularly availability, which in turn increases effective production time.

In addition to the production gains, the investment generates a good yield as regards both internal and external marketing. There are also significant environmental gains through the improved work environment and more efficient use of natural resources.

The concept is based on our vast experience, own development, not being locked to special technology and well developed and goal-oriented collaboration with the foremost players in the industry. 

System description

The total concept is based on a combination of a central cutting fluid purification system, briquette pressing, membrane technology and evaporator technology. The entire system is fully automatic and can be in continuous operation.

Cutting fluid purification

This part of the system purifies cutting fluids, both water and oil based, eliminating particles and swarf down to approx. 10µm. The purification is so effective that the cutting fluids can be immediately returned to the process. No consumables are used. The only thing that leaves the machinery are the separated swarf and particles. There are automatically transported on to swarf management.

Swarf management

Swarf management is the part of the system that handles the swarf and particles from (1.) cutting fluid purification and from the finishing machinery. Here, swarf and particles can be centrifuged or (2.) compressed to dry, easy-to-manage briquettes. Swarf management is fully automatic. Swarf from other finishing machines can also be transported here by means of a (3.) vacuum unit with pipe system or the like. Naturally, swarf containers from machines that are not connected to the vacuum system can also be emptied directly into the swarf management system. The fluid that is drained is pumped back to cutting fluid purification via an oil separator, where leak oil is taken care of. The only thing that leaves the swarf management system are dry swarf or briquettes.

Destruction component

In the destruction component, there is a powerful concentration of the contaminants (not particles) found in the fluids. Depending on purification requirements, different purification techniques are used – (4.) membrane technology, (5.) vacuum evaporation or (6.) ion exchange technology. The purified water can, for example, be used for new washwater, as a water additive for cutting fluids or be released directly into the municipal sewage system. Only small amounts of concentrate must be sent for destruction.