Six reasons why peristaltic pumps are great for abrasive transfer applications

One of the great advantages of modern pumps is the sheer variety of designs which are available.

The basic design is simply a hydraulic mechanical device that transfers different fluids from one position to another. Yet there are almost endless variations available on this simple theme.

The main types of pump

There are two main categories of pump: Centrifugal and positive displacement both of which break down into sub-categories. Centrifugal pumps include vertical and horizontal designs for low to medium viscosity liquids.

The positive displacement pump category includes diaphragm, gear, peristaltic, progressing cavity, piston and vane pumps.

This all means that whatever industry you work in, whatever the application you’re involved in or the material you wish to pump, there will be a unit which is specifically designed to meet your requirements. 

In fact, one of the most versatile pump designs around is the peristaltic pump. They are easy to set up and can be operated and regularly maintained without needing any special training. 

The widest range of applications

The peristaltic pump is a real workhorse able to easily transfer a wide cross section of fluids from ink, glues and food, to pastes, sludges, slurries, chemicals and cement across a spectrum of viscosities from 1cst right up to 50,000cst.

What’s more, peristaltic pumps are tailor-made for applications requiring the movement of liquids which are gaseous, volatile or very abrasive. 

Peristaltic pumps are the best for abrasive transfers – here’s why

1.    Gentle pumping action

The slow pump speed and gentle squeezing pump action are much gentler than the high-speed rotation of other pump types.

These enable peristaltic pumps to comfortably handle the most abrasive of slurries from biogas, mining or dewatering activities, as well as other flows which contain sharp particles or debris.

Remarkably, this easy peristaltic pumping action is not only perfect for handling the most abrasive flows. It’s also ideal for transferring shear-sensitive fluids and preventing damage to solids or delicate materials. 

2.    No direct contact

Peristaltic pumps are great for handling abrasive fluids because they minimise direct contact between the pump's components and the fluid, which stays inside the tube. This keeps wear and tear to a minimum and reduces the risk of clogging or damage from abrasive particles.

They do this by employing a flexible hose or tubing that contains the fluid, removing the need for valves, seals or impellers that are likely to suffer abrasion. 

3.    Non-clog, hardwearing and run dry

Peristaltic pumps can easily accommodate solids as large as the internal diameter of the hose, and due to the gentle pumping action, lack of compressed air or valves they don’t clog.

In addition, the pump’s simple design, rugged construction and tough, hardwearing tube, plus the absence of any valves and seals means it can work without fluid and not suffer any damage. In short, peristaltic pumps can run dry and are ideal for abrasive, dry or viscous sticky liquids which would damage other pump designs.

4.    Abrasion-resistant tubing

The material of the flexible hardwearing tube or hose can be specified according to the particular abrasive qualities of the fluid to be pumped. This will help to ensure its longevity and durability.

Moreover, advanced hose designs can even incorporate additional and enhanced abrasion resistance, extending service intervals and reducing the need for costly maintenance. 

5.    Contamination prevention

The fluid being pumped stays within the hose or tubing throughout the transfer process. This completely prevents any contamination from any outside sources and stops the fluid from leaking into the pump itself, stopping its operation and possibly causing damage. 

6.    Energy efficiency

Compared to other pump designs like centrifugal or diaphragm pumps, peristaltic pumps can offer big energy savings, particularly when working at lower speeds. 

This is down to their gentle pumping action which compresses the hose or tubing containing the fluid, which in turn reduces friction and energy usage. In addition, roller design of peristaltic pumps  have extremely low starting torque, and have the ability to run at very low speeds -from 1rpm very efficiently requiring less energy.

The perfect application - abrasive grout transfer at a power plant facility

Leading UK pump supplier, North Ridge Pumps were contacted earlier this year by a large construction company. They were looking to source two grout transfer pumps for a new power plant which was being built.

Industrial grout is a composite material usually made of sand, cement and water, and often contains small amounts of epoxy resin or other materials to give it more durability and chemical resistance. 

Like domestic grout used in DIY, it also fills gaps. But in industrial settings it’s useful for a whole range of applications in construction, factory environments, industrial processing plants and other locations.

So what’s the best kind of pump for grout transfer?

Yes, a peristaltic pump. The simple design of the peristaltic pump makes it perfect for handling abrasive industrial grout. The rugged mix of sand, cement and assorted solids in grout is no problem for these pumps. In fact, they can comfortably handle a heavy solids content.

What’s more, these units are tailor-made for projects where the grout transfer pumps may be out of action for long periods.

What was the exact specification for this client?

This construction project required abrasive grout transfer up to 15 bar and 3 tonnes an hour. To meet the project brief, North Ridge Pumps supplied the client with two of their brand new RBT-40 pumps.

As well as the two abrasive grout pumps, they also supplied the client with a spare set of hoses and enough lubricant to make sure that they had spares for at two years continuous service.

If you have an application which requires the transfer of viscous fluids or dense slurries containing solids, and aren’t sure of the best solution, talk to North Ridge Pumps to see how they can help.

North Ridge Pumps are the UK’s premier pump supplier with over 25 years at the forefront of pump technology. They’re experts at specifying pumps for a huge range of applications and aren’t tied down to any specific pump technology. So they can select the most appropriate pump for any application.