A Peristaltic Pump is a positive displacement pump that moves fluid by compressing a flexible hose, making it ideal for handling abrasive, viscous and solid-laden fluids without contamination or damage. Used across industrial and hygienic applications, including Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic, Wastewater Treatment and Chemical processing, our Peristaltic Pumps are self-priming up to 9.8m and can handle pressures up to 15 Bar.
This guide covers how Peristaltic Pumps work, their key advantages, common applications, hose materials, maintenance, and how they compare to other pump types.
What is a Peristaltic Pump?
A Peristaltic Pump, also commonly known as a ‘Hose pump’, ‘tubing pump’, or ‘roller pump’, 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 hose type is selected based on the application to ensure the material suits the process fluid.
How Does a Peristaltic Pump Work?
Peristaltic pumps use either a roller or shoe mechanism to compress the hose and move fluid. For a full breakdown on how they work, see our guide: Working Principles – Roller vs Shoe Design.
Working Principle of a Peristaltic Pump:
Advantages of Peristaltic Pumps
Peristaltic Pumps are an excellent option for fluids that must remain clean and sterile, such as food and beverage applications, because they prevent contamination in the pump. Only the interior hose contacts the application, which minimises the risk of bacterial growth and makes 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
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.
- Wastewater & Water Treatment: Lime cream, ferric chloride, sodium bisulphate, 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.
How Do I Select the Correct Peristaltic Pump?
Selecting the right pump depends on your fluid, viscosity, pressure and duty cycle. See our full Peristaltic Pump Buying Guide for the complete checklist.
Hose Materials Supplied for Peristaltic Pumps
We supply hoses in the materials below to suit a wide range of applications, including food, chemicals, lubricants, oils, fuels, marine applications, and more.
For a breakdown on our hose materials, hose life and compatibility, visit our article on Peristaltic Pump Maintenance and Hose Life.
- 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
- CSM – Hypalon Rubber – For automotive, chemical and marine applications.
Peristaltic Pump Maintenance
Periodic maintenance of the Peristaltic Pumps is required to keep them operating at full capacity. Qualified personnel must perform this when the power is 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
Carry out routine pump inspections, including checking for leaks and verifying connection tightness to the correct torque. For a full breakdown of maintenance requirements, see our article on Peristaltic Pump Maintenance.
Peristaltic Pump vs Other Pumps
- Maintenance: Simple and done in situ, whereas maintenance/repair on other pumps can 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 9.8m.
- Dry Running: No limit to 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
For a more specific comparison, we have articles covering Peristaltic Pump vs Diaphragm Pumps, and Peristaltic Pumps vs Progressive Cavity Pumps.
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; people just use different names for them.
Can Peristaltic Pumps be run continuously?
Yes, Peristaltic Pumps can be run continuously. They can operate at multiple duty points, whether continuously, intermittently, or occasionally.
Why should you choose a Tapflo Peristaltic Pump?
Peristaltic Pumps are one of the most popular products in our portfolio. This is because they are highly versatile for both aggressive media and chemicals, as well as for sanitary food and beverage applications. Their robust construction and hoses that last up to 30% longer than those from other producers make them the ideal pump for your needs.
