Peristaltic Vs. Diaphragm: How To Choose The Best Option For Your Chemical Treatment Application

Metering pumps are essential components in any water treatment system, whether it’s for drinking water, wastewater, or industrial effluent. The two most common types of chemical metering pumps are peristaltic and diaphragm. Both types of pumps can often be found in a water treatment system, as each has its own unique benefits and drawbacks.

Unfortunately, it’s also common to find diaphragm pumps used in applications where a peristaltic pump is a better fit, and vice versa. Sometimes this is the result of misunderstanding the benefits of a particular technology; other times it can be due to a misreading of the spec sheet.

This article will explain the pros and cons of each technology and the appropriate applications for each, including factors such as flow rate, pressure, and the chemical/liquids being metered. It will also examine situations where neither is a good fit, and what kind of technology should be used instead.