Peristaltic pumps get a positive reaction from Radleys

A niche supplier of laboratory equipment requiring a robust pump for their popular Controlled Laboratory Reactor (CLR), have opted for peristaltic pump technology from Watson-Marlow Bredel, largely due to its ease of integration and low maintenance.

Radleys developed the Lara Controlled Laboratory Reactor to address the desire that many laboratories have for affordable, yet highly automated and versatile CLRs. Drawing upon Radleys' 40 years experience in designing, manufacturing and installing bespoke manual reaction systems, Lara was developed to make the benefits of process control and automation much more affordable and accessible to a wider process chemistry market.

"Originally we offered the Lara system with only a diaphragm pump," explains Radleys' International Product Specialist, Stuart Hall. "However, we have since developed the system further to accommodate peristaltic and syringe pump technology to meet the demands of our customers. To date we have over 20 Lara systems in the field supplied with the Watson-Marlow Bredel Pumps"

Radleys' decision to pursue peristaltic pumps led it to Watson-Marlow Bredel, where the 300 Series, which is designed specifically for scientific pumping needs, caught the company's eye.

"We wanted a peristaltic pump that had a good reputation," said Mr Hall, "and it appeared to us that the pumps offered by Watson-Marlow Bredel were an attractive choice. Their robust nature and ease of integration makes them very attractive."

The first Lara systems fitted with Watson-Marlow 323 Series peristaltic pumps were despatched in 2004. The success of these units has since led to the integration of higher flow 500 Series peristaltic pumps, again supplied by Watson-Marlow Bredel.

Lara offers many of the benefits that are associated with higher priced automation systems but Radleys' new approach to CLR design has allowed the system to overcome many of the time consuming day-to-day user interaction issues that are inherent in many competitor products. The flexible and modular nature of Lara is its principal benefit. Offered as standard with 250ml, 500ml, 1 litre, 2 litre and 5 litre vessel sizes - each can be changed using an innovative and easy-to-use clamp in seconds. Using a conventional manual reaction system this process can take up to 30 minutes or longer. Other advantages include user friendly control software, easy recipe design, full data logging, intuitive PC control, integral, self aligning stirring and a compact bench-top footprint. Lara bridges the gap between bespoke glass reaction systems and more expensive, often complicated fully automated process reactors, and the Watson-Marlow peristaltic pumps have helped to play a role in this.

In peristaltic pumps nothing but the tube touches the fluid, eliminating the risk of the pump contaminating the fluid, or the fluid contaminating the pump. Among its many other advantages are: its suitability for viscous, shear-sensitive and aggressive fluids; its ease of installation, simplicity to operate and low maintenance requirements; its ability to prevent backflow and siphoning without valves; and its provision with a wide range of tubing, which includes long life thermoplastic materials such as Marprene and Bioprene, platinum-cured Pumpsil silicone, and, STA-PURE and Chem-Sure which provide excellent chemical resistance in tough applications..

"The peristaltic pumps from Watson-Marlow Bredel fit our requirements well," concluded Mr Hall. "It is extremely important to a company such as Radleys to have reputable suppliers offering quality products to integrate with its own high quality systems".