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Peristaltic Pumps | Industrial Solutions for Fluid Handling | EV Pump

What Is a Peristaltic Pump?

A peristaltic pump is a type of positive displacement pump that moves fluids through flexible tubing using a rotating mechanism. As rollers or shoes compress the tubing in a wave-like motion, fluid is pushed forward without ever touching the pump’s internal components. This makes peristaltic pumps an ideal solution for sterile, corrosive, or abrasive fluid transfer.

If you’ve ever seen an IV drip or lab dosing system, you’ve likely seen a peristaltic pump in action. Their simple, sealed design makes them a go-to for applications where cleanliness, precision, and chemical resistance matter.

Where Are Peristaltic Pumps Used?

Peristaltic pumps are common in industries that require reliable and sanitary fluid movement, including:

• Medical and Pharmaceutical: IV delivery, dialysis, and dosing
• Industrial Manufacturing: Precise chemical metering, fluid recycling, and coatings
• Food & Beverage: Flavor and additive dosing, syrup transfer, and filling
• Water & Wastewater Treatment: Sludge handling, pH adjustment, and polymer dosing

Because they are easy to clean and maintain, peristaltic pumps are widely used across industries that rely on dependable fluid handling equipment and fluid processing equipment.

How Does a Peristaltic Pump Work?

If you’re wondering, how does a peristaltic pump work?—think of how you might squeeze toothpaste from a tube. That same rolling, squeezing motion is exactly how a peristaltic pump moves fluid.

The Peristaltic Pumping Mechanism, Step by Step:

1. Flexible Tubing is Placed Inside the Pump Housing

   The pump contains a length of flexible tubing made from materials like silicone or Norprene.

2. Rotors with Rollers or Shoes Compress the Tubing

   As the rotor spins, rollers or “shoes” attached to it press down on the tubing.

3. Fluid Is Pushed Forward

   This compression traps a volume of fluid and pushes it toward the pump’s outlet as the rotor moves along the tubing.

4. The Tubing Reseals Behind the Rollers

   Once the roller moves past, the tubing returns to its original shape. This creates a vacuum that draws in more fluid from the inlet—no valves or seals needed.

5. The Cycle Repeats

   This rolling action creates a steady, pulse-like flow of fluid, ideal for low-shear, precision metering.

Single vs. Multiple Pumps

If you’ve searched how do peristaltic pumps work (plural), the same core mechanism applies—whether it’s one standalone unit or multiple pumps working in tandem within a dosing or metering system.

Top Brands and Models: Masterflex & Watson Marlow Peristaltic Pumps

When it comes to trusted names in peristaltic pump technology, Masterflex and Watson Marlow lead the industry. Both brands offer reliable, high-performance solutions—but their strengths vary depending on the application.

Masterflex Peristaltic Pumps

Masterflex Peristaltic Pumps, manufactured by Cole-Parmer, are widely used in laboratories, research facilities, and light industrial settings. Known for their modular design and broad range of tubing options, Masterflex pumps provide precise control over low to moderate flow rates.

• Strengths: Accuracy, user-friendly digital interfaces, broad tubing compatibility
• Best For: Lab dosing, chemical metering, biotech, pharmaceutical R&D

Watson Marlow Peristaltic Pumps

Watson Marlow Peristaltic Pumps are engineered for heavy-duty industrial environments. These pumps are designed to handle aggressive chemicals, slurries, and high-viscosity fluids with ease, making them ideal for 24/7 operation in process-critical systems.

• Strengths: High flow capacity, robust construction, industrial-grade hose pump designs
• Best For: Wastewater treatment, food and beverage, mining, chemical processing

Which Brand Is Right for You?

Both options offer dependable peristaltic pump tubing systems that support a wide range of fluid handling applications.

✅ Choose Masterflex for flexible lab-scale systems or precise chemical dosing.

✅ Choose Watson Marlow for demanding, industrial-scale fluid processing or 24/7 operations.

Peristaltic Pump vs Other Pump Types

When selecting a pump for your application, it’s essential to understand how peristaltic pumps compare to other common technologies. Each pump type has strengths depending on flow requirements, fluid characteristics, and maintenance needs.

Peristaltic Pump vs. Centrifugal Pump

Peristaltic Pumps handle viscous, abrasive, or shear-sensitive fluids with precision. They’re self-priming and ideal for dosing or intermittent flow. Centrifugal Pumps are better for high-volume, continuous-duty applications with clean, low-viscosity fluids (e.g., water, chemicals).

✅ Choose peristaltic when accuracy and chemical compatibility are priorities.

✅ Choose centrifugal for large-scale, low-maintenance flow systems.

Peristaltic Pump vs. Diaphragm Pump

Peristaltic Pumps isolate fluid in the tubing, reducing contamination and maintenance. They’re effective for metering, medical, and food-grade applications. Diaphragm Pumps handle solids and slurries well and can run dry without damage. Ideal for industrial, chemical, and wastewater operations.

✅ Choose peristaltic when clean dosing or chemical resistance is critical.

✅ Choose diaphragm for rugged, solids-heavy processes and on/off cycling.

Peristaltic Pump vs. Gear Pump

Peristaltic Pumps offer gentle, low-shear flow and easy tubing replacement. Great for shear-sensitive or aggressive fluids. Gear Pumps are compact, powerful, and suited for high-pressure, consistent flow in lubrication or fuel applications.

✅ Choose peristaltic for flexible, low-pressure dosing tasks.

✅ Choose gear for steady flow of viscous fluids at higher pressures.

Peristaltic Pump vs. Trash Pump

Peristaltic Pumps are designed for precision dosing and gentle transfer of clean, high-viscosity, or chemically sensitive fluids. They shine in sanitary, lab, or metering applications where contamination must be avoided. Trash Pumps, by contrast, are rugged, high-flow centrifugal pumps built to handle solids-laden water, sludge, and debris on construction sites or in emergency dewatering situations.

✅ Choose peristaltic when controlled flow and fluid purity are top priorities.

✅ Choose trash pumps for fast, high-volume movement of dirty water or slurry.

Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Longevity

Peristaltic pumps are known for their durability and low-maintenance design, but like any fluid handling solution, they benefit from routine care to stay in top condition, especially in demanding environments.

Common Signs of Wear

While the pump body often lasts for years, the Peristaltic Pump tubing is the primary wear point. Watch for:

• Flow inconsistencies or pulsation issues
• Visible cracks, flattening, or discoloration in tubing
• Leaks at connection points
• Reduced suction or backflow

Tubing failure is often gradual; catching these signs early can prevent downtime and ensure consistent fluid delivery.

Routine Maintenance Tips

To extend the lifespan of both the tubing and pump:

• Visually inspect tubing before each use, especially in high-volume or high-pressure applications.
• Rotate tubing regularly to distribute wear across different sections.
• Avoid over-occlusion, which can lead to early degradation of tubing walls.
• Use only chemical-compatible tubing to prevent swelling, brittleness, or breakdown.

One thing we remind customers of often: peristaltic pumps may be low-maintenance, but tubing failure will shut you down instantly. Keeping the right critical spare parts—especially tubing, rollers, and fittings—on hand is one of the easiest ways to avoid downtime. If you’re unsure what to stock, check out our full guide on critical spares for pump systems.

When to Replace Tubing vs. Entire Pump

In most cases, tubing replacement is all that’s needed to restore performance:

✅ Replace tubing when it shows wear, fatigue, or signs of chemical breakdown.

❌ Replace the entire pump only if the motor, rollers, or housing becomes damaged or worn beyond repair.

Best Practices for Long-Term Performance

• Choose the right tubing material (e.g., Norprene for chemicals, silicone for general use).
• Maintain proper occlusion settings to avoid unnecessary stress.
• Operate within the pump’s rated speed and pressure to prevent excessive wear.
• Use in clean, dry environments—or protect with enclosures if used in wet or dusty conditions.

Peristaltic Pump FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most common questions we get about peristaltic pumps:

Are Peristaltic Pumps self-priming?

Yes. Peristaltic pumps are fully self-priming and capable of lifting fluids from dry starts. This makes them ideal for applications where suction is needed from below-grade tanks or vessels.

Can they handle solids or abrasive fluids?

To a degree. While peristaltic pumps can handle slurries, viscous fluids, and some suspended solids, they aren’t ideal for highly abrasive fluids over long periods. Using abrasion-resistant tubing and proper flow rates can help extend tubing life in these cases.

What’s the difference between peristaltic and diaphragm pumps?

Both are positive displacement pumps, but they operate differently:

• Peristaltic pumps use rollers to compress tubing and move fluid in a gentle, pulseless flow.
• Diaphragm pumps use a flexing diaphragm to push fluid through check valves.

✅ Use peristaltic pumps for clean dosing, sanitary processes, and fluids sensitive to contamination.

✅ Use diaphragm pumps for rugged, heavy-duty jobs involving solids, slurries, or chemical resistance.

How long does tubing last?

Tubing lifespan varies based on pressure, chemical compatibility, and run time. On average:

• Silicone tubing: 100–500 hours
• Norprene or Viton tubing: Up to 1,000+ hours

Regular inspections and routine changes based on application stress are key to avoiding failures.

Are they suitable for sanitary applications?

Absolutely. Peristaltic pumps are a favorite in sanitary, medical, and food-grade applications because the fluid only touches the inner surface of the tubing—minimizing contamination risks. Use FDA-compliant or USP Class VI tubing for regulated environments.