More than just conveyance: Why peristaltic pumps depend on precise pressure measurement

The application:

Peristaltic pumps are used wherever liquids need to be pumped hygienically, safely and precisely. Whether in medical technology, the biopharmaceutical industry or in specialized industrial applications: The closed conveying principle protects sensitive media from contamination and enables reliable operation. Pressure monitoring plays a central role in this because it increases process reliability, supports condition monitoring and helps to detect failures at an early stage.

What is a peristaltic pump?

A peristaltic pump, also known as a peristaltic pump, conveys fluids through the mechanical compression of a flexible hose. The medium comes into contact exclusively with the inside of the hose, which ensures hygienic and contamination-free operation.
A disposable diaphragm is often used for pressure measurement, which separates the sensor from the medium. This reduces cleaning and sterilization effort, prevents leaks and simplifies the replacement of disposable tubing systems.

Peristaltic pumps are used in numerous applications with high requirements for sterility and dosing accuracy:

• Infusion systems and dialysis machines
• Heart-lung machines and insufflators
• Biopharmaceutical Processes
• Promotion of dangerous or sensitive media

The challenge:

The flow rate of a peristaltic pump is primarily controlled by the speed. Pressure measurement is therefore primarily used to monitor the fluid path and the condition of the pump.

Protection against hose rupture and leakage

If the back pressure increases due to blockages or closed valves, the load on the hose increases. Continuous pressure monitoring detects critical conditions at an early stage. Defined limit values enable automatic shutdown before hose breaks or media losses occur.

Early detection of faults

Changes in pressure provide important information about the condition of the conveyor system:
• Pressure increase due to clogged pipes or filters
• Pressure drop due to worn hoses or suction problems
• Irregularities due to slippage or leaks

This allows maintenance measures to be initiated in good time and unplanned downtimes to be avoided.

Increased process stability and accuracy

Under high pressure conditions, the elasticity of the hose can lead to slight deviations in the delivery volume. Pressure monitoring enables appropriate compensation and supports quick calibrations after a hose change.
Especially in biopharmaceutical applications, it helps to ensure stable process conditions and protect sensitive cell or protein structures from pressure peaks.

Our solution:

For these applications, Endress+Hauser Sensors & Components offers pressure-compensated ceramic pressure transmitters in a front-flush stainless steel hygienic design. The ceramic membrane offers decisive advantages in pulsations, pressure peaks and demanding operating conditions.

Robust and durable

Ceramic diaphragms made of high-purity alumina (Al₂O₃) are particularly resistant to abrasion, aggressive media and the typical pressure fluctuations of peristaltic pumps. This means that the pressure measurement remains stable and reliable in the long term, even with frequent hose changes.

Dry measuring system

Capacitive ceramic pressure sensors work without filling liquid. This prevents potential contamination and is an important advantage, especially in the medical technology and biopharmaceutical industries.

Precise recording of dynamic pressure curves

Thanks to their high overload resistance and excellent long-term stability, ceramic membranes also reliably detect rapid changes in pressure. In conjunction with digital output signals, anomalies can be detected at an early stage and used for condition-based maintenance

Pressure measurement turns a peristaltic pump into an intelligent and condition-monitored system. It increases operational safety, supports predictive maintenance and protects processes and systems from unplanned failures.

Ceramic pressure sensors from Endress+Hauser Sensors & Components provide a robust and reliable solution that ensures precise pressure monitoring even under demanding conditions.

Explore our capacitive-ceramic pressure portfolio.