Pump Technology Selection Chart

Decision chart for different pump technologies
Advantages & Limitations External Gear Pumps Micro Annular Gear Pumps Peristaltic Pumps Piston Pumps Vane Pumps Centrifugal Pumps
Maximum Flow Rate 42 L/min
(11.1 gpm)
(higher possible)
288 ml/min (.076 gpm) 13L/min
(3.43 gpm) (higher possible)
940 ml/min (.248 gpm) 14 L/min (3.75 gpm) 27 L/min
(7.1 gpm)
Volume Displacement per Revolution .017 ml .2µl <.002 ml .94 ml 8 ml 3 ml
Drive Speed rpm (maximum) 6000 6000 500 1000 1750 10000
Maximum
Differential
Pressure
8.6 bar
(125 psi)
(higher possible)
80 bar (1160 psi) <2.5 bar
(<36 psi)
(PTFE tubing 6.9)
6.9 bar (100 psi) 1.03 bar (15 psi) ~14 meters
head
(~46 ft head)
Accuracy and Repeatability high high high very high Very high n/a
Autoclavability / Sterility not with PTFE gears yes replace tubing no no not with PTFE components
Calibration / Recalibration frequent frequent high frequency low frequency frequent low
frequency
Chemical Inertness high high very high very high high high
Corrosion Resistance good good very high high very high good
Cross-Contamination yes
(thorough flushing is required)
yes
(thorough flushing is required)
virtually none (tubing exchange) yes
(thorough flushing is required)
yes
(thorough flushing is required)
yes
(thorough flushing is required)
Dead Volume very low very low very low very low low low
Direct Contact with Mechanical Parts
of the Pumphead
yes yes no yes yes yes
Advantages & Limitations External Gear Pumps Micro Annular Gear Pumps Peristaltic Pumps Piston Pumps Vane Pumps Centrifugal Pumps
Run Dry no no yes no no no
Fittings hose barb
or screw coupling
hose barb hose barb hose barb
or screw coupling
hose barb
or screw coupling
hose barb
or screw coupling
Flow Rate Sensitivity to Differential Pressure low low very low n/a low very high
Interchangeability
of Pumpheads
easy possible easy possible easy easy
Leakage Susceptibility low low low low low low
Maintenance (Time and Cost) medium (service kits) medium (service kits) very low
(only tubing exchange)
low (thorough flushing) medium (service kits) medium (service kits)
Multi-Channel Systems no no yes no no no
Pulsation Ratio very low very low low to high (number of rollers) high moderate n/a
Pumping of High Viscosity Liquids yes yes yes yes yes no
Pumping of Suspensions, Sludges and Particles yes yes yes yes yes yes
Self-Priming yes yes yes yes yes no
Shearing Forces moderate moderate low high moderate low
Siphoning Effect When Pump Is Stopped yes yes no no yes yes
Suction Lift dry: ~0.2 m (.65 ft)
wet: 0.-1.2m (0-4 ft)
wet/dry:
~5 m
(16.72 ft)
wet/dry:
7 - 8 m
(22.9-26.2 ft)
wet::
4.5 m
(14.7 ft)
dry:
1.5 m
(5 ft)
n/a