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Suitable material for covers for sumps containing caustic and acid

Dear Bob,

I am a structural designer and have to design a structure to cover a sump used for the waste water containing caustic 50% and HCl 50%. it is commonly conceived that we can minimize the effects of evaporating fumes on the structure by using Stainless steel. but I doubt, can you please suggest me some suitable material for the specific use we intend to.

regards,

Imran Thakur
structural designer - Jubail, Saudi Arabia
February 9, 2011

Hi, Imran. If loading permits, I'd avoid metal entirely and use vinyl ester fiberglass. Grating shapes, including covered grating materials, with or without non-slip grit, are widely available and will probably prove superior to metals costing many times more.

If the same sump will alternately contain 50% caustic and 50% HCl you should be wary of highly exothermic reactions. good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
February 9, 2011

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