Peristaltic Liquid Pumps

What Are Peristaltic Pumps? What is Peristaltic Technology? 

Peristaltic pumps, also known as tube or hose pumps, operate on a unique principle inspired by peristalsis in biological systems. These pumps consist of a circular casing enclosing a flexible tube that is rhythmically compressed and released by rollers or shoes. This mechanism propels fluids forward in a pulsatile manner, mimicking natural processes and ensuring a hygienic, contamination-free environment. At Thomas, we offer an array of peristaltic pumps that embody this technology, providing precise fluid-handling solutions across diverse industries and applications. 

Where Are Peristaltic Pumps Used? 

Peristaltic pumps have transcended traditional boundaries to become a cornerstone of precision fluid handling across a myriad of industries. Their versatile and hygienic nature, combined with the ability to gently transport shear-sensitive substances, makes them indispensable in various applications. Below, we delve into the diverse industries and specific use cases where peristaltic pumps shine: 

• Medical and Laboratory Applications: Safeguarding sterile fluid delivery, controlling dialysis flow, handling bioprocessing, and enhancing equipment sanitation in medical settings.
• Industrial Sectors: Efficiently managing condensate removal and precise dosing of cleaning agents.
• Food and Agriculture: Ensuring precise dispensing of ingredients, chemicals, and aiding agricultural nutrient management.
• Environmental and Analysis: Contributing to wastewater treatment efficiency and accurate gas analysis condensate removal in environmental monitoring."

How Long Do Peristaltic Pumps Last? How Can Peristaltic Pumps Flow Rate Be Controlled? 

Flow rates are proportional to motor speed. This makes peristaltic pumps suitable for dispensing and dosing applications. In order to choose the right motor, there are a few aspects to consider. Direct current motors are available in different quality levels ranging from 500 up to 4000 hours of operation. The limiting factors of those motors are the brush system and the bearings. In AC motors lifetime ranges between 1000 hours in shaded pole variants up to more than 10,000 hours in capacitor versions. 

When it comes to stepper and brushless DC motors the limiting aspect is usually only the bearing system. In the BLDC and stepper motors, the speed can be adjusted during operation very easily. Those motor types are commonly used when a variable flow rate is needed. 

Optimizing Fluid Transportation 

How Do I Choose a Peristaltic Pump Tubing? 

Choosing the appropriate tubing is a pivotal decision to ensure optimal performance of your peristaltic pump (Check this  page  to know the importance of using high-quality tubing for good pump performance). Thomas offers a variety of tubing options that cater to diverse needs: 

• Silicone Tubing: Ideal for non-aggressive media. It remains elastic over a wide temperature range and is suitable for a range of fluids. 
• TPV Tubing: Combines the processability of Polypropylene with the elastomeric properties of EPDM. Common tubing materials include PharMed® BPT or Santoprene™. 
• Fluoroelastomeric Tubing: Used for chemically corrosive media. Materials like Viton® are employed for these applications. 

Depending on your application, a different tubing should be chosen. For extended tube lifetime, larger inner diameter tubing and low motor speed are advantageous. Higher flow rates necessitate larger inner diameter tubing and high motor speed. When accuracy is paramount, minimal inner diameter tubing and high motor speed are recommended. For pumping viscous liquids, tubes with higher wall thickness ensure quick recovery of the original shape. 

To maintain fluid purity, it's crucial to avoid spallation, a process where particles from tubing are shed into the fluid. This is particularly significant in biological, pharmaceutical, or medical applications. Special TPV materials like Versalloy™ are designed to minimize spallation and enhance tubing performance. 

Leverage the expertise of Thomas to make an informed choice and ensure that your peristaltic pump system operates at its best. For detailed insights and personalized assistance, reach out to our experts. 

Tailored Excellence 

What To Consider In Peristaltic Pumps? 

When exploring the realm of peristaltic pumps, several key factors merit attention, ensuring a well-rounded and effective pumping solution: 

• Pulsation Reduction: Many peristaltic pumps incorporate a spring-loaded mechanism, optimizing pumping precision by minimizing pulsation. This feature proves particularly crucial when handling delicate fluids like living cells. 
• Adaptable Pump Performance: A vital consideration involves tailoring the pump to accommodate different tube dimensions, aligned with varying flow rate requirements. This adaptability ensures seamless performance across diverse applications. 
• Adjustable Occlusion: Advanced pump models offer an adjustable occlusion feature. This capability facilitates fine-tuning the pump to match varying pressure levels within fluidic systems. Additionally, it enables optimization for different tubing materials, catering to distinct fluid properties. 
• Ease of Use: Peristaltic pumps distinguish themselves through user-friendly design. The tubing or pump head can be effortlessly replaced within seconds, streamlining maintenance. The absence of internal valves further enhances usability, offering advantages such as bidirectional liquid transfer without restrictions, ideal for viscous media. 
• Enhanced Efficiency with Multi-Channel Pumps: For heightened efficiency, multi-channel peristaltic pumps prove invaluable. With a single motor driving a pump head featuring up to 15 separate tubes, diverse media can be simultaneously transferred or distributed across multiple vessels. 
• Impact of Roller Count: The number of rollers employed significantly influences fluid handling. Higher flow rates typically utilize two or three rollers, albeit with a trade-off of increased pulsation. Conversely, gentler medium transfer necessitates more rollers to maintain a balanced pulsation level. 
• Cross-Contamination Prevention: A critical concern in medical and analytical processes is the avoidance of cross-contamination. Peristaltic pumps excel in this regard, as only the tubes come into contact with the medium. Swift and simple tube replacement after each cycle ensures a clean and sterile process. 

Beyond these considerations, peristaltic pumps find versatile applications, ranging from detergent dispensing in industrial dishwashers to condensate removal in emissions monitoring. Furthermore, they play a pivotal role in vital medical equipment like dialysis machines, exemplifying their significance across varied industries. 

In your pursuit of excellence, these factors guide your exploration of peristaltic pumps. Thomas' engineered solutions ensure a tailored solution that aligns perfectly with your specific operational needs.