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Ismatec: Pump Technologies

Decision Chart for Different Pump Technologies
Advantages & Limitations
Peristaltic Pumps
Gear Pumps
Rotary Piston Pumps
Max. flow rate
13,000 ml/min
(higher possible)
12,000 ml/min
(higher possible)
2,300 ml/min
Min. flow rate
< 0.001 ml/min
1 ml/min
0.025 ml/min
Drive speed (max)
500 rpm
(Flowmaster)
6,000 rpm
(MCP-Z)
1,800 rpm
(MCP-CPF)
Drive speed (min)
Depends on drive
60 rpm
(MCP-Z)
10 rpm
(MCP-CPF)
Max. differential pressure
2.5 bar (36 psi)
PTFE tubing:
6.9 bar (100 psi)
5.2 bar (75 psi)
(higher possible)
6.9 bar (100 psi)
Accuracy and repeatability
high
(frequent recalibration)
high
(non-return valve!)
very high
Autoclavability / Sterility
++ tubing!
steam
(not with Teflon gears!)
very high
Calibration / Recalibration
high frequency
frequent
low frequency
Chemical inertness
tubing!
high
very high
Corrosion resistance
tubing!
good
high
Cross-Contamination
virtually none
(tubing exchange)
yes (thorough flushing is required)
yes (thorough flushing is required)
Dead volume
practically none
5-45 ml
(depends on pumphead)
very low
Contact with mechanical parts of the pump head
no
yes
yes
Dry-running
no problem
destroy the gears
should be avoided
Fittings
hose barb
hose barb or screw coupling
hose barb or screw coupling
Flow rate sensitivity to
differential pressure
low
(depends on tube bed)
considerable
not significant
Changing pump heads
very easy (MCP/BVP)
easy
possible
Leakage susceptibility
depends on tubing life
low
low
Maintenance (time and costs)
very low
(only tubing exchange)
medium
(service kits)
low
(thorough flushing)
Multi-channel systems
yes
no
no
Pulsation ratio
low to high
(number of rollers!)
very low
usually high
(tubing and piston size!)
Pumping high-viscosity liquids
++
(+)
+
Pumping suspensions,
sludges, and particles
++
--
+
(max. 0.8 mm diameter)
Self-priming
yes
no
yes
(tubing diameter!)
Shearing forces
low
very high
high
Siphoning effect
when pump is stopped
no
yes
(non-return valve!)
no
Suction lift
7 – 8 m
dry: ~0.2 m
wet: ~0.75 m
4.5 m