Peristaltic (Hose & Tube) Pumps
When you need precision dosing or to move abrasive, viscous, or shear-sensitive fluids without a seal to fail, peristaltic is the move. These pumps self-prime, run dry, are reversible, and keep product fully contained in a replaceable hose/tube—ideal for acids, polymers, lime, inks, foods, and more.
- Seal-free path—only the hose/tube contacts fluid; quick, low-cost wear part changes
- Pulsation tolerant with dampeners/controllers for meters & analyzers
- Accurate dosing at low flows; excellent suction lift & gas-handling
- Handles abrasives & slurries other pumps can’t—lime, pigments, carbon, diatomaceous earth
Manufacturers We Represent for Peristaltic
Featured Peristaltic Products
What Makes Peristaltic Different (and When It Beats Other Pumps)
How Peristaltics Work
- Rollers or shoes compress a hose/tube, pushing fluid forward and creating strong suction.
- Only the hose/tube touches fluid—no seal, valves, or glands to wear or leak.
- Reversible for backflushing lines; excellent at de-gassing and self-priming.
Where Peristaltic Wins
- Low-flow dosing with high accuracy, including off-gassing oxidizers (NaOCl)
- Abrasive slurries (lime, pigments, carbon) that eat seals & rotors
- Viscous/shear-sensitive products—polymers, resins, foods, lotions
- Emptying chemical totes and handling variable suction without vapor lock
Best-Fit Peristaltic Configurations by Service
| Service | Ideal Configuration | Recommended Brands | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal chemical dosing (NaOCl, alum, polymer) | Tube metering head; PVDF/PVC fittings; integrated controller | LMI • Emec • Neptune | Gas-handling, accuracy at low flow, simple maintenance |
| Abrasive slurries (lime, carbon, pigments) | Industrial hose pump with abrasion-resistant hose; shoe design | Graco | Seal-free, thick-wall hose resists wear; strong suction |
| Viscous polymers, resins, adhesives | Hose/tube with variable-speed drive; oversized suction | Graco • Neptune | Positive displacement handles viscosity and shear limits |
| Food & personal care | Sanitary head/tube materials; changeable tubing; clamp ends | Neptune • Emec | Gentle, contamination-free; fast changeover |
| Off-gassing oxidizers | Tubing with gas-venting capability; PVDF wetted path | LMI • Emec | Peristaltics tolerate bubbles; compatible materials |
Sizing inputs: duty flow & backpressure, viscosity/SG/temp, solids %, chemical compatibility, desired accuracy & turndown, suction geometry.
Materials & Performance
Hose/Tube & Head Options
- Tubes: Norprene®/Santoprene® for general; FKM/CSM for chemicals; Pharmed® for sanitary
- Hoses: NR, NBR, EPDM, FKM—selected to your chemistry, temp, and wear profile
- Heads: roller (low pressure) or shoe (higher pressure/flow)
Real-World Ranges
- Flow: mL/min dosing up to substantial GPM on industrial hose pumps
- Pressure: from low-pressure metering into lines up to high PSI (model dependent)
- Viscosity: handles very thick fluids with proper suction and speed control
Accessories That Make Peristaltics Rock-Solid
- Leak detection: hose/tube break sensors with safe shutdown
- PLC/I-O: 4–20 mA, pulse input, batch/totalize, remote start/stop
- Pulsation control: discharge dampeners and flexible hose runs
- VFD/drive kits: expand turndown and stabilize accuracy
- Chem feed skids: back-pressure/anti-siphon valves, calibration columns, degassing tees
Peristaltic vs. Other Common Pump Types
| Use Case | Peristaltic | AODD | Centrifugal | Gear | Progressive Cavity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-flow precision dosing | Excellent | Fair (air-set) | Fair | Good (steady) | Good |
| Abrasive slurries | Great | Good | Poor | Poor (wear) | Good |
| Self-priming / run-dry | Excellent | Excellent | Fair | Poor | Fair |
| Sanitary changeover | Excellent | Good | Good | Limited | Good |
| Cost to own | Low (hose/tube consumable) | Low/Med | Low (clean fluids) | Low on clean oils | Med (stators/rotors) |
What We Need to Size Your Peristaltic (5-Minute Worksheet)
- Duty point: target flow & line backpressure; batch or continuous
- Fluid details: SDS, viscosity/SG, temperature, solids %/size, abrasiveness
- Accuracy & control: required turndown, 4–20 mA/pulse, local vs. remote
- Suction: lift vs. flooded, hose run length/ID, degassing risk
- Environment: sanitary or industrial, washdown, enclosure, NEMA/UL
Top Peristaltic Lines We Stock (Placeholders)
Send your duty point and fluid—We’ll return hose/tube material, head type, drive, and a complete BOM.
Send Us Your Chem & Duty Point—We’ll Match the Peristaltic in Minutes
We’ll verify compatibility, recommend hose/tube, set the drive & controls, and size for accuracy, suction, and wear life.
Peristaltic Pump FAQs
What’s the difference between “tube” and “hose” peristaltics?
Tube pumps use smaller flexible tubing and roller heads for metering/low pressure. Hose pumps use thick reinforced hoses and shoe heads for higher pressure and abrasive slurries.
How do I pick the right hose/tube material?
We match material to your SDS and temperature. Norprene/Santoprene cover many chemicals; EPDM/NBR/CSM/FKM target specific solvents, oxidizers, and temps. We’ll confirm with compatibility charts.
Will pulsation affect my flow meter or analyzer?
Peristaltics pulse by design. For sensitive instruments we add dampeners, flexible hose runs, or higher-roller heads to smooth flow.
What’s typical hose/tube life?
It depends on pressure, speed, chemical, temperature, and abrasiveness. We set realistic maintenance intervals and provide spare kits sized to your duty.
Do peristaltic pumps need check valves or flooded suction?
No check valves are required, and strong suction lets them self-prime and lift from totes or drums. We’ll still review suction geometry to avoid unnecessary restriction.