I have a 6,000 gallon cylindrical carbon steel tank full of 93% sulfuric acid that I need to submerge a pump into. The suction end of the pump is on the bottom and has an inlet rate of 10 gpm. How do I determine how far from the bottom of the tank to install the inlet of the pump to minimize the amount of turbulence at the bottom of the tank (to minimize corrosion)?

Also, in the past we have observed a sludge layer at the bottom of the old tank due to the impurities in the acid. Does any one know how fast that sludge layer will grow if the tank is lined or un-lined?

Thanks :o)

slsteinh,

The LEWIS Pump installation data shows the clearance of pump inlet to the tank bottom to be 3" to 4" for pump inlet sizes 2.5, 3, 4", or clearance could be equal to inlet diameter. You might want an extra allowance for sludge buidup on tank bottom. The LEWIS Pump end clearance 3" -4" dimension might be assuming a brick lined pump tank.