The peristaltic pump moves fluids using rollers that squeeze tubes while moving in a rotary manner. Engineers frequently use this pumping system when they need a simplistic and cheap system to move liquids. But cheaper systems often come with a lack of flexibility that limits the number of applications that the peristaltic pump can have. However, these pumps are fantastic for liquids that must be pumped aggressively or that must remain sterile.

Non-Uniform Liquid Movement

The peristaltic pump does not move the liquid uniformly while the rollers move over the surface. Therefore, the peristaltic pump has liquids that sometimes pause, which can cause problems in systems that need the liquid to flow continually. Therefore, engineers sometimes need to use other pump systems such as the syringe pump, even though this pump type is more expensive.

Cleaning and Replacement

Owners of the pumping system must clean the peristaltic valves every three to six months and must change the diaphragm every year. This cleaning requires that the system has temporary downtime and can also cost extra money.

Motor Damage

The peristaltic pump has a motor that is subjected to heat, which can cause the motor to sustain damage and stop functioning. Moisture and chemical fumes also have a tendency to cause the peristaltic pump to fail early on, forcing the owner to spend money on repairs.

Accuracy

The peristaltic pump does not have as much accuracy when pumping liquids as an electromagnetic-driven pump. The pump works better in systems that only need a general amount of liquid to pass through the system at a given moment. Other kinds of pumps have pacing controls that let the operator control exactly how much liquid passes through in a given moment.

Feed Rate

The peristaltic pump can lose its feed rate as it ages, even though the peristaltic has an excellent feed rate earlier on in its operation due to less gassing, which can lead to a feed loss. As the peristaltic tube wears out from frequent squeezing, the tube can develop holes that will inevitably lead to leaks. These leaks can cost money by forcing the system to waste valuable materials and can also make the pump system much less efficient. Holes can also cause contamination for some liquids when other chemicals enter into the tubes. However, technicians can prevent these leaks by replacing the tube every 1,000 to 1,500 hours.