Bioreactor Bioprocessing

PRACTICAL 3
Calibration of Peristaltic Pump

Objective
Student will be introduced to the calibration technique of peristaltic pump to obtain the
value of flow rate.

Introduction

A peristaltic pump is a type of positive displacement pump used for pumping a variety of
fluids. The fluid is contained within a flexible tube fitted inside a circular pump casing
(though linear peristaltic pumps have been made). An electric motor turns a set of rollers,
which compress and release flexible tubing as they rotate. This squeezing action creates a
vacuum that draws fluid through the tubing. Because the flexible tubing is the only wetted
part, maintenance and cleanup are simple and convenient. Peristaltic pumps are typically
used to pump clean/sterile or aggressive fluids, because cross contamination cannot occur.

Benefits
 Simple to operate, easy to customize, inexpensive, and cost effective.
 Require very little maintenance beyond tubing replacement.
 Peristaltic pump systems are compatible with a wide range of tubing materials,
including silicone, thermoplastics, Viton, and rigid PTFE.
 Able to generate sufficient vacuum to successfully pump most viscous fluids -
including those too heavy for other types of pumps.

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The chief disadvantage is that the fluid flow is not uniform as the rollers move over the
surface, so there are pauses in the flow.

Methodology
Material used: beaker, volumetric flask, tube, stopwatch, distilled water, and peristaltic
pump.

Speed-constant
1. Dial on peristaltic pump was adjusted to 10.
2. Stopwatch was started.
3. Amount of water transferred from volumetric flask to the beaker was measured
after 2 minutes.
4. Step 2 and 3 was repeated for 4, 6, 8, and 10 minutes.
5. Results were recorded.

Time-constant
1. Dial on peristaltic pump was set to 2.
2. Stopwatch was started.
3. Amount of water transferred from volumetric flask to the beaker was measured
after 2 minutes.
4. Step 1 to 3 was repeated for speed dial on peristaltic pump 4, 6, 8, and 10.
5. Results were recorded and presented in graph.

Results

Speed-Constant
Speed (Dial) Time (min) Volume (mL) Flow rate (mL/min)
2 18.0 9
4 33.0 8.25
10 6 48.0 8
8 63.0 7.875
10 78.0 7.8

Time-Constant
Time (min) Speed (Dial) Volume (mL) Flow rate (mL/min)
2 2.4 1.2
4 6.3 3.15
2 6 10.0 5
8 15.0 7.5
10 17.0 8.5

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Flow Rate against Pump Speed

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Flow Rate (mL/min)

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2 4 6 8 10
Pump Speed (Dial)

Discussion
Slope: (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) = (8.5-1.2)/(10-2) = 0.9125 (positive value indicated that the higher the
pump speed, the higher the flow rate per minute)
For better calibration:
 Calibrating the pump by measuring the sample in a graduated pipette/measuring
cylinder is usually less accurate than weighing the sample.
 When using new tube sets, run the pump at full speed for 20min to 30 min to allow
the pump tube to stretch into its final shape.
 Use the same liquid that typically used under actual operating conditions.
 When calibrating at very low flow rates, beware of evaporation. Use a covered
container or one with a small surface area.

Conclusion
Through this experiment, I become aware and understood about the calibration technique
of peristaltic pump to obtain the value of flow rate.

References
Jaffrin, M. Y. and Shapiro, A. F. 1971. Peristaltic Pumping. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics.
19 (3): 13-37.

http://www.coleparmer.com/techinfo/techinfo.asp?htmlfile=PPumps_AmyE.htm&ID=580
(170309)

http://www.bioptechs.com/Instructions/Instech_pump_i/P720manual.pdf (170309)