A hose pump is a device used to transport thick or abrasive materials like sewage and chemicals. Known as a peristaltic pump, the hose pump gets its name from the bodily function “peristalsis.” During peristalsis, the muscles around the intestines contract and expand to force food and water through the digestive system. The hose pump applies similar forces to the materials it is used to transport. By squeezing or compressing an integral hose, the pump moves materials along the length of the hose from one point to another.
In a standard pump, fluid flows directly through the inner workings of the pump. In a hose pump, the medium never directly touches the pump. Instead, this medium is contained within a thick hose. Rather than replace the entire pump, the hose can simply be replaced periodically as needed.
Hose pumps depend on an internal rotor. As the rotor spins, it causes a pair of external shoes or weights to lift and lower in a rhythmic pattern. These shoes compress the hose, forcing the fluid to travel from one end of the hose to the other as each shoe applies force in a new location. Depending on the size and design of the pump, the shoes may be positioned in a linear fashion or along a 360-degree circle.
A hose pump can often be found in industrial and manufacturing facilities that process chemicals and other caustic materials. These pumps are often used in sewage applications, as they are better equipped than standard pumps to handle the thick sludge associated with this field. Hose pumps may also be used to pump cement or in mining applications.
One of the primary advantages to using a hose pump is that there is very little risk of leaks. The fluid remains contained within the hose, so the pump requires no seals. The way these pumps operate means there is also no risk of backflow, which eliminates problems with contamination. With no contact between the pump and the fluid, the pump is not subject to corrosion or rust.
Another advantage to using a hose pump is its relatively high volume capabilities. Hose pumps can move a large volume of materials using a relatively small pump. They also require very little maintenance. Rather than take the pump apart, workers need only replace the hose if problems arise. The inner workings of the pump remain protected from moisture, corrosion, and wear for much longer than a standard pump.
