Sulphuric Acid Dosing Pump: Material, Safety and Setup Guide
Sulphuric acid is used for pH correction in water treatment, in fertilizer plants, in boiler and cooling water treatment and in many chemical processes. It is one of the most common chemicals we are asked to dose, and one of the easiest to get wrong.
Not sure which material suits your chemical? Ask us.
Why concentration matters
Sulphuric acid behaves very differently at different strengths. Mid-range dilutions are often more corrosive to metals than concentrated acid. Concentrated acid is also a strong dehydrating agent that attacks many plastics and elastomers. Always tell your supplier the exact concentration and temperature.
Typical material choices
| Concentration | Pump head | Diaphragm / seals |
|---|---|---|
| Dilute (up to about 70%) | PP or PVDF | PTFE |
| Concentrated (about 93–98%) | Alloy 20, PVDF or PTFE | PTFE |
| Hot acid | PVDF, PTFE or special alloys | PTFE |
These are general guides only. Confirm against our chemical compatibility chart and your acid supplier’s data.
Pump type
A diaphragm metering pump is usually preferred because it has no packing that can leak acid. Plunger pumps in Alloy 20 can be used for higher pressures where some packing leakage is acceptable and safely contained.
Safety and installation
- Fit a pressure relief valve piped back to the tank.
- Use a spray guard over flanges and fittings.
- Keep suction lines short and flooded; acid is dense, so check NPSH.
- Provide an eyewash and safety shower near the pump.
- Never add water to concentrated acid in a tank; dilution generates heat.
Related
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a stainless steel pump for sulphuric acid?
SS316 is generally not suitable, especially for dilute acid. Alloy 20 is the common metal choice for concentrated acid.
Which elastomer works with sulphuric acid?
PTFE is the safest choice. Viton works with some concentrations; nitrile and EPDM are usually not suitable for concentrated acid.
Do you supply sulphuric acid dosing pumps for fertilizer plants?
Yes. JEW supplies acid dosing pumps to fertilizer plants and process industries.
Send chemical, concentration and temperature for a recommendation.
Jagdish Engineering Works, Mumbai – manufacturer of plunger and diaphragm metering pumps and pressure relief valves since 1969. Our engineers design, test and repair dosing pumps for water treatment, chemical, refinery, fertilizer, sugar and paper plants.
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