A peristaltic pump transfers chemicals sealed inside of a tube to prevent cross-contamination. This pump is the best choice for medical, agricultural, and water treatment purposes that require precise dosages of liquid. Wondering whether or not a peristaltic pump is right for you? John Woodard, our Master Water Specialist, tells you everything you need to know about how a peristaltic pump works and where you should use one. What is a peristaltic pump? Peristaltic refers to the way in which the peristaltic pump moves liquid. It moves liquid through a tube that has no contact with any mechanism of the pump. This makes the pump ideal for moving chemicals or liquids without the danger of cross-contamination. How does a peristaltic pump work? The peristaltic pump has two primary components: the motor and tube. A motor turns wheels inside of a tube that rotates. The motor presses the tubing against the outer portion of the housing. As it does that, the motor pinches the tube and creates a space where it draws in liquid. As the motor rolls around, it pushes the liquid out. Peristaltic pumps can be adjusted either by the diameter of this tube or by a wheel that allows you to dial in a clutching mechanism to get just the right dose for your application. What are peristaltic pumps used for? There are a variety of uses for a peristaltic pump. The pump's trick is that it keeps chemicals or liquids strictly in the tube. When to use a peristaltic pump: Transporting hemoglobin for dialysis Water treatment dosing (depending on the chemical used) Chlorine for a private well Liquid phosphate for scale control A flocculant (depending on the type of water treatment) Dosing vitamins into animal feed Agriculture Uses for a peristaltic pump include any application where you want to make sure you have no-cross contamination of your nutrient, chemical, or even blood in the case of dialysis. What are the benefits of a peristaltic pump? The greatest benefit is that the liquid or the chemical pumped only interacts inside this tube. The contents don't touch any other component to keep liquids clean and prevent cross-contamination. What flow rates will you get from a peristaltic pump? With the adjustability of the clutch mechanism and the size of the tube, you can get anywhere from 0.3 to 22 gallons per day depending upon the application. Where should you use a peristaltic pump? In my opinion, a peristaltic pump is the way to go for water treatment. With this pump, you can avoid having additional material or media getting cross-contaminated with your chemical. For these reasons, a peristaltic pump is a great choice in many applications, including livestock feeding, agriculture, water treatment, or even medical use. Browse peristaltic pumps by Stenner.