Understanding Hose Failure in Peristaltic Pumps: Causes, Impacts, and Prevention Strategies

Hoses of a peristaltic pump generally fail due to wear and tear, exposure to harsh chemicals, excessive pressure, or improper installation.

Some common reasons for hose failure include:

• Age: Over time, the hose material can degrade and become brittle, leading to cracks or holes that compromise its integrity.
• Abrasion: Constant friction against the pump casing or other components can cause the hose to wear out more quickly.
• Chemical compatibility: If the hose is not resistant to the chemicals being pumped, it can degrade and break down.
• Overpressure: Exceeding the maximum pressure rating of the hose can cause it to burst or leak.
• Installation errors: Improper installation, such as excessive bending or twisting of the hose, can weaken the material and lead to failure.

Manufacturers do not provide any guarantee on hose life, product loss or consequential damage due to ruptured hoses. It is the customer’s responsibility to prevent pumped liquid loss or any other loss with additional hose rupture detectors and/ or non-return valves and automatic shutdown valves.

Various rupture detection devices are available from manufacturers, these include:

• float type magnetic reed switch which detects a change in liquid level in the hose housing.
• conductivity probes however these are limited to use with products that are conductive.
• pressure transmitters fitted to the hose housing which detect a change in liquid level.

The best method of mitigating these losses is by preventative maintenance. A hose replacement regime needs to be established so that hoses are changed prior to rupture occurring. This can be instigated after hose life is determined. This does not mean that rupture detection systems can be forgotten.

Analysing the Causes of Hose Failure

Hose Destruction Areas

When too many shims are used or if they are stacked improperly, it can lead to over-tightening of the hose clamp, putting excessive pressure on the hose, and potentially causing it to fail. This can result in the hose becoming damaged, cracked, or ruptured, leading to leaks or complete failure of the hose assembly.

Chemical Compatibility

The inner rubber has softened due to chemical action.

Parts of the rubber breakaway when they are pulled and may stick together.

Under Shimming or Pulsation Damage

• Damage occurs where the shoe leaves the hose.
• Failure is due to backflow of an abrasive product from severe pulsation.
• Remedy - remove the source of pulsation but do not increase number of shims.
• Shows as very high discharge side impulse loss.

Regular inspection, maintenance, and proper handling of the hoses can help prevent premature failure and ensure the efficient operation of the peristaltic pump.

Albin Hose Features

• Engineered design with varying inner reinforcement layers (from 2 to 6) of braided polyamide are selected based on hose material and size.
• Outer layer is vulcanized to strict tolerances to ensure perfect compression.
• Control of all production stages including compounding, mixing time, shaping and vulcanization to provide the best lifetime.
• Available in 7 different material compounds and 16 different sizes to cover a wide range of applications and pump sizes.
• Unique colour code located on the hose to facilitate the material identification.

Albin Pump® Prolonged Life Hose Competitive Advantages

• Up to 30% longer* than competition due to design features.
• Able to handle shear-sensitive fluids with minimal wear.
• Highly versatile.
• Available in different lengths retrofittable with most major competitive pumps (Bredel™, Verderflex™, Abaque™).
• Once retrofitted with an Albin Pump® hose, competitive pumps reduce their TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) thanks to an extended meantime between failures.

Albin hoses are available to custom fit:
Kelair Pumps is proud to offer an extensive stock of Albin hoses. Contact your nearest branch for more information or to see our full range click here.

• Bredel
• Verdeflex
• Abaque
• Other brands of hose pumps