Have you had a micro peristaltic pump fail due of air trapped? I have over 12 years in the fluid transfer and laboratory pump business. I have seen this issue destroy hours of labour, many times.
In this article I will teach you how to quickly prime a micro peristaltic pump. I will explain the direction of rotation, the speed settings, and the air purge procedure. By the end of this you'll know precisely what to do to get your pump working in under a minute.
What Is a Micro Peristaltic Pump and Why Does Priming Matter?
Small and precise, a micro peristaltic pump. It forces fluid through a soft tube with revolving rollers. The pump never comes in contact with the fluid. That keeps it safe and clean. It is utilised in laboratories, medical equipment and manufacturing.
A small peristaltic pump readily fits into narrow areas. Ideal for chemical dosing, pharma and lab uses. But if air gets into the tube, the pump won’t function. That’s why priming is the first thing you have to do every time you use it.
Micro Peristaltic Pump: Key Facts at a Glance
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Fonctionnalité
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Details
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Type de pompe
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Micro Peristaltic / Tubing Pump
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Fluid Contact
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Tubing only - no pump part touches liquid
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Common Applications
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Lab, pharma, chemical, medical dosing
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Key Advantage
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High precision, low contamination risk
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Priming Need
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Essential before first use or after tube change
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Plage de débit
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0.001 mL/min to several hundred mL/min
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Does Rotation Direction Affect How Fast You Prime a Lab Fluid Pump?
Yes - direction is really important. Many people start the pump and receive no flow. The rationale is straightforward. The pump is going the incorrect direction. Check the direction first always. Locate the flow arrow on the pump head or tubing label.
Most digital peristaltic pumps may be reversed with a single button. If an air bubble is trapped, back up a few seconds to loosen it. Then speed up and draw the fluid through faster.
How to Set the Right Rotation for Fast Priming
Follow these simple steps before you start priming:
Look at the label on the pump head - it has a flow direction arrow
fast reverse burst frees air pockets
Check tube position - Inlet side must connect to your fluid source
On a digital peristaltic pump, you may change direction in seconds by using the control panel
Quick Direction Check
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Step
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Action
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Tool Needed
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Expected Result
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1
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Check head label
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Visual inspection
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Confirm flow arrow direction
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2
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Set to forward
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Control panel
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Fluid moves toward outlet
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3
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Reverse briefly
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Control panel
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Air bubble is freed
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4
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Return to forward
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Control panel
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Fluid flows clean and steady
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What Speed Should You Use to Prime a Precision Fluid Dispensing Pump?
Speed is as crucial as direction. Going too sluggish, air stays in the tube. Go too rapidly and you might have pressure difficulties or splashing. Priming speed is ideal around 60-80% of peak RPM. Start at this pace when priming starts.
Turn the speed down when the fluid is flowing cleanly and steadily and no bubbles are present. Go return to your usual work pace. For pharmaceutical peristaltic pumps, continuous dosing pumps, and micro flow pumps, this simple two-step procedure is effective.
Speed Settings for Different Pump Types
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Type de pompe
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Best Priming Speed
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Priming Time
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Notes
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Micro Flow Pump
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70–80% max RPM
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10–20 seconds
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Gentle but fast pull
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Continuous Dosing Pump
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60–75% max RPM
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15–30 seconds
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Watch for pressure buildup
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Pharmaceutical Peristaltic Pump
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50–70% max RPM
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20–40 seconds
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Handle sterile fluid with care
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Chemical Dosing Pump
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65–80% max RPM
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10–25 seconds
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Use corrosion-safe tubing
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Why Higher Speed Helps During Priming
It draws liquids into the tube quicker
It breaks the surface tension at the entrance
Can shorten your priming time in half
It is quite effective even with sticky or thick liquids
Problems With Too-High Speed
Air may be pressurised farther down the line
It may produce a rise in pressure in closed systems
It could wear down the tubes quicker over time
How Does the Air Purge Method Work on a Compact Peristaltic Pump?
The air purge approach is quick and uncomplicated. For use on any compact peristaltic or fluid transfer pump. Operate the pump at a high speed with the output tube open. Air will come from the open end. No special tools required. Takes less than a minute.
This approach is employed in laboratories, pharmaceutical industries, food factories and chemical facilities. Aim the outlet toward a rubbish container. Purge is complete when you see nothing but liquid, no bubbles. Reconnect and return to usual work.
Step-by-Step Air Purge Process
Step 1 - Prepare Tubing Correctly load the tubing into the pump head. Make sure both ends are not kinked or loose.
Step 2 - Disconnect the Outlet Disconnect outlet. Point it into a rubbish container so that the air may exit freely.
Step 3 - Run Fast Turn the pump to 70–80% speed. Hit start. Let it run till liquid comes out.
Step 4 - Reconnect and resume normal operation When you are finished, reconnect the outlet. Get back to your regular pace.
Air Purge Case Studies
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Case
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Secteur
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Pump Used
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Priming Time
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Résultat
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Blood analyzer priming
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Medical / Pharma
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Pharmaceutical Peristaltic Pump
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25 seconds
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Clean flow, zero air
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Reagent dispensing
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Laboratory
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Lab Fluid Pump
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15 seconds
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Accurate dosing resumed
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Chemical feed line
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Industriel
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Chemical Dosing Pump
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30 seconds
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No leaks, stable pressure
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Nutrient delivery system
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Agriculture / Bio
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Micro Flow Pump
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20 seconds
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Consistent micro-dosing
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What Are the Best Tips to Prime a Reversible Peristaltic Pump Without Wasting Fluid?
You don’t have to waste any fluid while priming. This is straightforward using a reversible peristaltic pump. You may go back and forth to get air shaking free. This keeps the outlet shut. So nothing escapes. This is perfect for pricey reagents or sterile fluids.
The trick is easy. Move ahead for 5 sec. Then back for 2 seconds. Then move on again. Repeat 2 or 3 times. The rocking action pushes air out the inlet side. No fluid is lost from the outflow.
Tips for Waste-Free Priming
Go forward, then back, rocking technique to shake air out
Use a short tube - less air to evacuate the shorter the tube
Pre-wet the tube to minimise dry-start difficulties and load the tube
Use a transparent tube so you can see when all the air is gone
Tilt the pump slightly so the input is lower and gravity draws in fluid
Priming Methods at a Glance
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Method
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Idéal pour
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Time Needed
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Fluid Wasted
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Open outlet air purge
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All pump types
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15–30 seconds
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Small amount
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Forward-reverse rocking
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Reversible pumps
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20–40 seconds
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Almost none
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Pre-wet tubing
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All pump types
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Setup only
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None
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High-speed burst
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Thick or viscous fluids
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10–20 seconds
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Small amount
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FAQs About Micro Peristaltic Pump Priming
How Long Does It Take to Prime a Micro Peristaltic Pump?
Most micro peristaltic pumps will prime in 15 to 45 seconds. The time depends on the length of the tube and the thickness of the fluid. Get the speed and direction correct and it goes quicker.
Short tubing primes more quickly than lengthy tubing.
Thick fluids take a little longer
Prewetting the tube will reduce priming time.
Can I Prime a Micro Flow Pump Without Wasting Fluid?
You can, yeah. Take the rocking approach on a reversible peristaltic pump. Jump ahead 5 seconds, jump back 2 seconds. Repeat a few times. Repeat a few times. Repeat a few times. Minimal fluid is wasted.
Keep the outlet closed during rocking steps
Use a transparent tube so you can see how you are doing
Stop when no more air bubbles appear
What Happens If I Skip Priming Before Use?
Skipping priming creates enormous issues. The system is filled with air. This leads in improper dosage levels, pump damage and poor outcomes. Don’t skip this step.
Air in the pipe causes flow gaps and improper volumes
Running certain pump heads dry might cause them to overheat and be damaged
Always prime before initial use and after each tube replacement
Does Tubing Type Change How Easy It Is to Prime?
It does. Soft, flexible tubing is easier to prime. The rollers work it out better. The most popular option is silicone tubing. This is why it is utilised in pharmaceutical peristaltic pumps and laboratory peristaltic pumps.
Silicone tubing is flexible and simple to prime
Hard tubing may need to spin faster to prime
Always use tubing that is safe for your fluid type
Can a Digital Peristaltic Pump Prime on Its Own?
Yes. Many of the latest digital peristaltic pumps include a built-in priming mode. The pump is quick for a short amount of time. Then it goes back to regular speed on its own. Very convenient.
Check your pump manual for a priming mode option
You may adjust the priming time manually on certain models
This function is useful for saving time in a busy lab.
Is the Air Purge Method Safe for Chemical Dosing?
Yes, it’s safe. But be warned. Always aim the exit of chemical dosing pumps into a garbage receptacle. Wear gloves and eye protection when draining.
Never direct the outlet toward yourself or others
Use tubing compatible with your particular chemical
Adhere to workplace safety regulations for trash disposal
Conclusion
Priming a micro peristaltic pump is easy. Check the direction Pick the proper velocity. Purge air. Your pump will be ready to go in a jiffy. These procedures operate in laboratories, pharma plants and factories. And the correct pump makes it much simpler.
Innofluid Co., Ltd. supplies small, digital, reversible peristaltic pumps and precision fluid dispensing pumps of the best quality. Each pump is engineered for a long working life and speedy start-up. Come to Innofluid Co., Ltd. now and discover your ideal match.