Air entrainment in sump
Air entrainment in sump
(OP)
We are looking at installing sump tanks for our cooling tower. The tanks will be in side the building and above the pumps. Is there any way to prove that the vortex that will be created does not reach the suction of the pump. The tanks are 10 feet tall and 7 feet in diameter. The flowrate is 2300 gpm maximum.





RE: Air entrainment in sump
Vortex breakers are commonly installed in low-NPSHa applications, and Cooling Tower Pumps are classic examples.... for several reasons. Vortex breakers ar simply "X" type plates that have about 1.5 times the nozzle diameter as the edge length. Usually 3/8 inch mild steel stock is acceptable....
Additionally, you can ensure that the suction velocity is about 3 to 5 feet per second (always use pipe one size larger than the suction nozzle) and you should have no problem. Any elevation head that you can build into the system will help.... but a long term penaly will be paid in electric charges......Big Pipe rules !!!!
Ask your MBA boss to purchase the "bible" for the department....I'm talking about the "The Pump Handbook" by Igor Karassik.... and many of your questions will be answered..... then again..... if he has an MBA, there is probably no money in the project budget and he is off travelling to a conference.....
MJC
RE: Air entrainment in sump