Liquid handling pumps from Wiggens are essential tools in laboratories, enabling precise, safe, and efficient transfer or dispensing of liquids. At Apex Scientific, we supply a comprehensive range of liquid handling pumps in South Africa, including peristaltic pumps, syringe pumps, and portable suction units. Each type serves a distinct purpose, and selecting the right pump depends on your application, required precision, and workflow.
This article explores the differences between these pump types and highlights common laboratory uses — from microbiology media preparation to biosafety cabinet waste removal.
Peristaltic Pumps – Flexible, Contamination-Safe Liquid Transfer
Peristaltic pumps use a rotating mechanism to compress flexible tubing, pushing liquid forward without the fluid coming into contact with any pump components. Only the tubing touches the liquid, making these pumps ideal where sterility or contamination control is critical.
Key Features:
- Self-priming and capable of running dry without damage.
- Adjustable flow rates to suit various liquid viscosities.
- Easy tubing changeover for different fluids.
Microbiology Applications:
In microbiology laboratories, peristaltic pumps are commonly used for media preparation, culture transfer, and buffer dispensing. Their contamination-safe design reduces the risk of introducing unwanted microorganisms, which is essential when preparing sterile growth media or inoculating culture vessels. They are also valuable in quality control processes and bioreactor feed systems where accuracy and sterility are paramount.
Portable Suction Units – Safe and Convenient Waste Removal
Portable suction units are designed to remove liquid waste efficiently, often using a vacuum-based system. These units are particularly valuable in applications that require frequent liquid removal in a clean and safe manner.
Key Features:
- Compact and easy to move between work areas.
- Integrated hydrophobic filters and overflow protection to prevent contamination or backflow.
- Oil-free operation for low maintenance and clean performance.
Biosafety Cabinet Applications:
Inside biosafety cabinets (BSCs), portable suction units are frequently used for waste liquid removal during cell culture and microbiological work. This includes aspiration of spent media, removal of liquid waste after washing procedures, or disposal of hazardous biological fluids. By combining filtration with contained waste collection, these units help maintain cabinet sterility and protect users from aerosol exposure.
Syringe Pumps – High-Precision Dispensing and Infusion
Syringe pumps operate by moving a plunger within a syringe barrel at a controlled rate, allowing precise volumes of liquid to be dispensed or withdrawn. They are ideal for applications requiring exact dosing or very low flow rates.
Key Features:
- Highly accurate delivery, often within ±0.25%.
- Suitable for both infusion and withdrawal modes.
- Can handle microlitre to millilitre volumes with consistent precision.
Common Laboratory Uses:
Syringe pumps are widely used in analytical chemistry, microfluidics, pharmaceutical testing, and research experiments that require pulse-free, consistent flow. They are also ideal for applications such as drug delivery studies, chromatography, and controlled reagent addition in synthesis reactions.
Selecting the Right Pump
When choosing a liquid handling pump, consider:
- Fluid type – Is it corrosive, viscous, or sterile?
- Volume and flow rate – Do you need high-volume transfer or microlitre-scale precision?
- Application environment – Will it be used inside a biosafety cabinet, on a benchtop, or integrated with other instruments?
- Contamination risk – Does the liquid require sterile handling?
In summary:
- Peristaltic pumps excel in contamination-sensitive processes such as microbiology media preparation.
- Portable suction units are essential for safe liquid waste removal, especially in biosafety cabinets.
- Syringe pumps provide unmatched precision for low-volume, high-accuracy applications.
At Apex Scientific, we supply a range of liquid handling pumps from leading brands, with models suited for research, diagnostics, and industrial laboratories. Explore our Liquid Handling Pumps category to find the right solution, or contact our technical sales team for expert advice and a tailored quote.
