Working with harsh or hazardous materials is uniquely challenging due to the risks posed to employees and equipment. Aggregate slurry pumps in the mining industry, caustic chemical transfer pumps, and RAS pumps in wastewater treatment typically have much shorter lifespans because of the materials they work with. Using a peristaltic pump offers an alternative solution designed to work with abrasives, corrosives, and otherwise hazardous fluids in any industry.
How Does a Peristaltic Pump Work
A peristaltic pump moves fluid by compressing one or more parts of a flexible hose to move fluids and fill vacuum spaces downstream. They are also referred to as hose or roller pumps because the fluid is entirely contained and does not encounter the interior volute in normal operation. In peristaltic pumps, the compression is applied by a ‘shoe’ or a ‘roller’ depending on the design. Peristaltic pumps can run continuously or intermittently and are dry-run capable.
The working principle behind a peristaltic pump gives it three advantages over other types of pumps.
Enclosed System
With the hose containing all of the fluid moving through the pump, much of the damage dealt to other pump types is limited to only reaching the easily replaceable hose. The enclosed design eliminates the need for a mechanical seal. Since there is no risk of mechanical seals or packing leaking, employee safety drastically increases when using a peristaltic pump for hazardous fluids.
Shear-Sensitivity
Peristaltic pumps preserve delicate materials and prevent unintended mixing during the pumping process. This is accomplished by combining low motor speeds and limiting hose compression. In addition to protecting shear-sensitive fluids, less compression on the hose reduces wear and maximizes its lifespan.
Versatile Fluid Handling
Suspended solids and abrasive slurries can cause serious damage to the wetted housing if left unchecked. However, the materials used to make hoses can absorb the force of the suspended solids hitting the walls of the hose. Similar to other positive displacement pumps, peristaltic pumps work far better with viscous fluids than a centrifugal pump could.
The Peristaltic Pump from Abaque
Abaque specializes exclusively in the design of peristatic pumps and hoses. The result of their efforts is a durable pump ready to meet the most challenging applications head-on. Abaque peristaltic pumps use ductile iron and steel to support discharge pressures up to 16 bar or 232 psi. Their hoses come in natural rubber, FDA-approved Buna, EPDM, and Hypalon to meet an extensive range of chemical compatibility needs. Patented pressure glands hold these hoses in place. Abaque pumps have a window on the exterior cover of the pump to allow for easy viewing and adjusting of the shoes without removing the cover. These pumps are self-priming with 32ft of lift and can reverse the flow with the turn of a knob.
Abaque Hose Options’ Lengths, external diameter, and interior diameter in millimeters.
Abaque offers complete pump packages and individual hoses. It offers 14 pump options with flow rates from .59 GPM to 237.75 GPM in intermittent applications and 14 hose options with lengths starting at 20 inches (or 510 millimeters) up to 10.75 feet. Abaque’s hoses are also cross-compatible with other peristaltic pumps on the market.
Next Steps
Northwest Pump is the master distributor for Abaque in the western United States. Use the Contact Us button below to start a conversation with our Abaque experts. Need repairs on your current hose pump? Use the Request Service button to schedule your maintenance appointment.
