The Quick and Dirty Guide to Peristaltic Pumps

masterflex_pump-resized Knowing which pump to choose for your application can be challenging! That's why we've put together quick guides for several types of positive displacement pumps (internal gear, external gear, rotary lobe) along with the advantages, disadvantages, and best applications for each. In this post, we dive into the peristaltic pump, how it functions, so you can decide if it fits your application.

PERISTALTIC PUMP OVERVIEW

Peristaltic pumps are a type of positive displacement pump used for pumping various fluids. The fluid is completely contained within a flexible tube or hose, and fitted inside a pump casing. Peristaltic pumps have long been known for pumping abrasive slurries, but they are also great for pumping dangerous and abrasive chemicals, such as caustics, acids or bleach.

HOW IT WORKS

The motor shaft of the pump is connected to a series of rollers or cams inside the pump housing. As the motor turns, the rollers or cams "squeeze" the liquid from the inlet to the outlet of the pump. The compression of the rollers/cams on the tubing or hose acts like a check valve in the pump keeping liquid flowing smoothly in one direction and offering a repeatable and consistent flow with each revolution.

WHAT THEY'RE GREAT FOR

These pumps are great for clean and sterile or aggressive fluids where cross contamination with exposed pump components cannot occur. Peristaltic pumps are a critical component when isolating a fluid from the environment, and the environment from the fluid. You'll find these pumps in a wide variety of industrial and food additive applications, including those for abrasive and viscous fluids.

DISADVANTAGES

Peristaltic pumps do generate pulsations. This can be controlled, but not completely eliminated; therefore if a smooth flow is desired, this pump may not be your best choice. They can also be hazardous if the tube or hose breaks, unless the unit is equipped with a "leak protection" feature. Checking the hose for wear regularly can help to prevent leakage.

BEST APPLICATIONS
Below is a short list of the best applications for this pump:

Food manufacturing
- Beverage dispensing
Chemical handling
- Printing, paint and pigments
- Pharmaceutical production
- Hazardous chemicals
Water & Wastewater
- Chemical process metering
- Chemical transfer
Engineering & manufacturing
- Pulp & Paper applications
- Concrete

Think this pump might be right for your application? Make sure you get the right pump for the job by talking to an experienced engineer. If you need help selecting the right pump for your application, ask us about it! We gladly provide technical assistance to businesses in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.