Peristaltic Pumps are extremely versatile and designed to handle abrasive and solid-laden fluids. This guide will tell you all you need to know about what Peristaltic Pumps are, how they work, their advantages, common applications, hose materials, maintenance, the difference between pumps and more.
What is a Peristaltic Pump?
A Peristaltic Pump, also commonly known as a ‘Hose Pump’, ‘Tubing Pump ’, or a ‘Roller Pump ’. It is a type of Rotary Positive Displacement Pump and is one of the most versatile and flexible pump systems available on the market today. A unique design feature of Peristaltic Pumps is that the hose is the only part within the pump that comes into contact with the fluid. This ensures that the pump is seal-less, which is one of the main reasons it is so reliable.
The type of hose used in the pump is selected based on the application to ensure the material is suitable for the process fluid.
How Does a Peristaltic Pump Work?
As seen in the image below, a Peristaltic Pump works by either two shoes (high-pressure applications) or rollers (low-pressure applications) rotating on a wheel inside the pump and compressing an internal hose, which then forces a certain quantity of fluid through. The hose inside of a Peristaltic Pump is designed to return to its original shape after the shoes or rollers have passed over, so the quantity and flow of fluid are consistently maintained.
This pump operation is also where Peristaltic Pumps get their name from. The term “peristalsis” originates from the biological sense, where muscles in our stomach contract to push food through. A similar process occurs when a Peristaltic Pump is operating, allowing a variety of applications to enter the pump and be effectively passed to the suction side, allowing more fluid to continue entering from the pump casing.
Working Principle of a Peristaltic Pump:
Advantages of Peristaltic Pumps
Peristaltic Pumps are an excellent option for fluids that need to be kept clean and sterile, such as food and beverage applications, because they prevent contamination in the pump. As mentioned before, the interior hose is the only part of the pump that comes into contact with the application, which completely minimises the risk of bacterial growth, making the pump ideal for the hygienic industry.
Peristaltic Pumps come with a number of benefits, some of which include:
- Fully self-priming up to 9.8 meters – not many other pumps on the market can produce that kind of suction!
- Outlet pressures of up to 15 Bar
- Suitable for corrosive, aggressive, and viscous fluids
- Suitable for fluids containing particles
- Very easy maintenance
- Hygiene and safety – the only part of the pump that comes into contact with the fluid is the hose
- Reversible flow
- Heavy-duty bearings, greased for life
- ATEX available for hazardous environments and applications
How Do I Select the Correct Peristaltic Pump?
Below is a list of details about your media that you’ll need to know in order to select the correct Peristaltic Pump for your requirements.
- Fluid description
- Viscosity
- % of solids and particle size
- Temperature
- PH level
- The flow rate or range
- Suction and discharge pressures
- Precise duty cycle (continuous or intermittent) and running time
- Power supply available
Hose Materials Supplied for Peristaltic Pumps
Hoses can be supplied in the materials below to suit a wide variety of applications:
- Natural Rubber & FDA-approved – For food, oils and up to 96% alcohol concentration.
- NBR – For fatty foods and dairy produce, oils, greases and polymers.
- EPDM – High chemical resistance
- FKM – Viton – High chemical resistance, especially to solvents, lubricants, petrol & fuel.
- CSM – Hypalon Rubber – For automotive, chemical and marine applications.
The price of the hose is typically around 8% of the pump’s cost.
Common Applications and Industries
Peristaltic Pumps are suited for both low & high-pressure transfer, metering and dosing of low or high-viscosity applications. Including abrasive liquids, those containing gases or which tend to froth, and those containing solids. The pumps are commonly used in the following industries:
- Food & Beverage: Tomato sauce, mashed potatoes, gelatine, beer yeast, fish paste, olive oil, wine, egg white & yolk, edible fat, semolina, natural flavouring, cream, milk & yoghurts.
- Bakeries: Water & salt mixtures, natural flavourings, fats, fruit cake dough/mixture (i.e. fruit cake has nuts and fruit pieces that need to stay whole).
- Paint: Water-based paint, acrylics, pigments, ink, and wall coating.
- Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics: Chemical dosing, liquid protein, vaccines, serum, plasma, syrups, and shampoos.
- Waste Water & Water Treatment: Lime cream, ferric chloride, sodium bisulfate, fluoride, polymers, aqueous ammonia, potassium permanganate, caustic soda, activated carbon, reagent feed, coagulant, flocculants, dispersion, alum, sludge and foams.
- Chemical and Petrochemical: Various acids, PVDF latex, alcohol, soap, and non-aromatic solvents.
- Pulp and Paper: Latex, kaolin, paper waste sludge, various chemical dosing.
- Ceramics: Barbotine, mould filling, filter press feeding. Building fibrous mortar, plaster, light concrete, and cement flooring.
- Surface Treatment: Abrasive waste fluids, acids, alkalis, paints, Electrolytic zinc plating, Copper, Nickel, Tin, Silver and Gold plating, Alcalic zinc, Zinc-iron, Zinc-nickel, Hexavalent Chromium-free plating, Chromates / Passivation, Acid zinc
- Anaerobic Digestion: Processed Food & General Waste, Feedstock, Digestate, Waste Sludge
- Mineral Processing: Sludge with a viscosity of up to 60,000 cPs, clay up to 800g/l, particle size: 30 mm, lead sulphate, pyrite, cyanide, various acids.
- Agricultural: Manure, fertiliser, sugar mills, molasses, liquid sugar and various chemicals.
Peristaltic Pump Maintenance
Periodic maintenance of the Peristaltic Pumps is required to keep them operating at full capacity. This must be performed by qualified personnel and when the power has been shut off.
Inspections of the pump include:
- Check suction and discharge pressures
- Inspection of the gear-motor in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
- Gear oil must be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s guide instructions
Frequent routine inspections of the pump should be conducted; this includes checking
- Any leaks from any connections of the pump
- Tightness of all connection parts
- Complete inspection of the pump and hose
When the pump is new or reassembled, it is important to retighten the screwed connections after one week of operation and use the right torque
Peristaltic Pump vs Other Pumps
- Maintenance: Simple and done in situ, whereas with other pumps, maintenance/repair may be expensive, time-consuming and complicated. Maintenance might cost up to 50% of the pump for other pumps, whereas this will fall under 10% of the cost.
- Priming Capacity: Ability to prime up to 9m from sea level from dry, which is high in comparison to other pumps.
- Dry Running: There is no limit to the dry-running capability, whereas others won’t offer it at all.
- Density: There is no limit to the density of liquids being pumped
- Abrasion Resistance: Highly resistant with little risk of maintenance needed, whereas some may be expensive or need a lot of maintenance.
- Volumetric Accuracy: Perfect accuracy when dosing in comparison to other pumps.
- Shear-Sensitivity: Suitable for very shear-sensitive fluids, whereas others may not be suitable for shear-sensitive fluids.
- High Hydraulic Efficiency: On all viscosities and densities in comparison to others.
To learn the difference between specific types of pumps vs Peristaltic Pumps, visit our guides below:
- Peristaltic Pump vs Diaphragm Pump
- Peristaltic Pumps vs Gear Pump
- Peristaltic Pump vs Lobe Pump
- Peristaltic Pump vs Progressive Cavity Pump
Peristaltic Case Studies
Tapflo UK has worked on a number of large-scale projects involving Peristaltic Pumps, some of which are featured below.
FAQs
Are Peristaltic Pumps known as any other names?
Yes, Peristaltic Pumps are also known as Hose Pumps, Tubing Pumps or Rolling Pumps. They are all the same and can be used by different names by different people.
‘Peristaltic’ comes from ‘Peristaltis’, which refers to the contraction of muscles in the human intestines that moves food along; this is similar to the mechanism of this pump.
For additional FAQs, see individual FAQ pages
Can Peristaltic Pumps be run continuously?
Yes, Peristaltic Pumps can be run continuously. They have multiple different duty points, whether continuous, intermittent or occasional
For additional FAQs, see individual FAQ pages
Can Peristaltic Pumps Dry Run?
Yes. Unlike many pump types, a peristaltic pump can run dry without damage because only the tubing contacts the fluid.
For additional FAQs, see individual FAQ pages
Does a Peristaltic Pump offer accurate dosing?
Yes, dosing is easy and accurate with a peristaltic pump.
For additional FAQs, see individual FAQ pages
What Peristaltic Pumps do Tapflo sell?
Tapflo sells a variety of Peristaltic Pumps, ranging from small to large models. These models come in either low- or high-pressure variants depending on your application and media. See individual product pages for detailed information.
For additional FAQs, see individual FAQ pages
How long will my Peristaltic hose will last?
We’ve developed our own hose life expectancy calculator. By factoring in your working parameters, it gives you an estimated hose lifespan, so you can stay ahead of your PPM schedule rather than reacting after the fact.
Curious what yours would be? Get in touch today and we’ll provide a no-obligation hose life estimate tailored to your application.
For additional FAQs, see individual FAQ pages
