A peristaltic pump, also known as a tube pump or hose pump, is a type of positive displacement pump that uses a rotating mechanism to squeeze and propel fluid through a flexible tube or hose. The pump's name comes from the peristaltic motion, similar to the way our intestines move to push food through the digestive system.

 

The working principle of a peristaltic pump involves a rotor with rotating rollers or shoes that compress and release the tube at specific intervals. As the rollers press against the flexible tube, they create a seal and move along the tube, pushing the fluid forward in a pulsating manner. This action creates a vacuum behind the rollers, drawing in more fluid to be pumped.

 

Peristaltic pumps have several advantages and features:

 

1. Gentle and accurate pumping: The fluid is only in contact with the tube, preventing contamination or chemical reactions. The pumping action is gentle, making peristaltic pumps suitable for delicate or sensitive fluids.

 

2. Self-priming: Peristaltic pumps have excellent self-priming capabilities, with the ability to lift fluid from a lower level without the need for external priming.

 

3. Reversible flow: Peristaltic pumps can easily reverse the flow direction by changing the rotation direction of the rotor, making them versatile for applications requiring forward and backward pumping.

 

4. Easy maintenance: Since the fluid does not come into contact with any pump components, peristaltic pumps have low maintenance requirements. Only the tube needs replacement periodically.

 

5. Wide range of applications: Peristaltic pumps are used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food and beverage, water treatment, chemical processing, and laboratory applications. They can handle fluids of different viscosities, corrosiveness, and variability.

 

Peristaltic pumps are particularly useful in applications where hygiene, accuracy, and gentle fluid handling are critical. They are commonly used for precise dosing, metering, sampling, transferring corrosive fluids, and handling shear-sensitive materials.